'DUP WILL LEARN ELECTION MESSAGES'
Dear Editor In relation to last week's by-election, firstly I would like to congratulate the DUP candidate Paul Stewart for topping the poll on first-preference votes; then, secondly, I would congratulate Carol Black for eventually winning through, thanks to the transfers of others.
A number of lifetime DUP voters did confide in us that they were going to use this election to give the DUP a kick up the backside but, unlike Jim Allister, I do not sense any elation or joy amongst these people, and many like them, at the sight of the Ulster Unionists taking this seat when, after all, it was the UUP under David Trimble who created the mess and left others to clean it up.
The TUV admitted themselves that they didn't expect to win; their only goal was to hurt the DUP vote. Jim Allister has become the Ulster Unionists' secret weapon.
In safe Unionist seats like Dromore a vote for the TUV is a vote to return the UUP as the top Unionist party and in marginal Unionist seats a vote for the TUV would result in Unionist seats being lost to Republicans and Nationalists. This is the lesson the Unionist electorate must learn.
The message I got on the doorsteps was that most Unionists accepted power-sharing as a way forward, but what upset them was the presentation and imagery of Stormont.
What people want to see is the 'battle-a-day' imagery, not the 'chuckle-a-day' imagery and Jim Allister used this imagery expertly in his election campaign literature, focusing on this without actually offering Unionists any vision, direction or workable alternative strategies of his own.
The only alternative the TUV offered was a return to direct rule, with Unionists left powerless and helpless to influence the situation.
If this was a referendum on devolution then Jim Allister lost miserably as 73 per cent of Unionists voted for pro-devolution Unionist parties.
No-one is saying what we have at present is perfect; we have not yet achieved all our goals and objectives.
The DUP goals to undo the damage, make gains for Unionism, achieve a more normal system of government in Northern Ireland, are also the goals of many within the TUV and UUP; the question is how to we get there, go backwards or forwards?
The DUP will learn the painful messages of this by-election, take whatever steps are necessary and continue to offer leadership to the people of Northern Ireland.
The flags and emblems issue was also used as a political 'ping-pong' in this election when the fact is all of the Unionist councillors are committed to retaining both.
In conclusion, I accept that there are born-again Christians in all of the Unionist parties. I was grieved at some of the bitterness and un-Christian attitudes displayed by some who claim to be Christians.
We should be able to agree to disagree on politics and still love one another in Christ.
I look forward to the day of Christ's return when the government will be upon his shoulders and there will be direct rule from Jerusalem, not from an un-Godly British Government.
DUP Councillor Paul Rankin
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Weather for Dromore
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Heavy rain
Temperature: 0 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 5 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South west
