TRADITIONAL Unionist Voice councillor Stephen Herron has said last Thursday's election result was a tremendous vote for the party on its first outing at the polls.
He said candidate Keith Harbinson was a first class candidate, and the work he put into the campaign reflected in this great result.
"The DUP called this by-election and told us they would soon see the TUV off, and that Mr. Stewart would walk it. In
stead they saw their vote crash, and the seat taken by the UUP," he continued.
"The vote splitting accusations made against us have been proven false - the TUV's presence ensured that the unionist vote was maximised. Our voters transferred 2nd preferences almost equally between DUP and UUP, showing in reality that there is little difference now between the two parties, as both are enthusiastically implementing the Belfast Agreement. It is undeniable that a large section of those voters would not have turned out if TUV had not fielded a candidate.
"Ultimately, however, this election was about one issue - how the Unionist electorate would respond to the DUP/Sinn Fein partnership - the DUP now have their answer," he added.
"Dromore is an ideal place to test unionist opinion as an example of Province-wide feeling. This will not be lost on the number crunching politics graduates in DUP HQ, who are well aware that 28% of unionist votes translates province-wide to a sizeable number of assembly seats.
"In the wake of this massive blow, the DUP will make some changes and appear to talk tough. However, the nature of the mandatory coalition they have trapped themselves into will leave them little room to manoeuvre.
"TUV will continue to build on the tremendous showing at Dromore, and to lead the way in the fightback against unrepentant terrorists in government," Mr Herron concluded.
