'DUP's track record of misleading voters'

I respond to the comments of the DUP's Stephen Moutray in the Leader, where he appealed to the UUP regarding their electoral strategy for the upcoming Assembly Election, suggesting that the fielding of three UUP candidates would be "sheer folly."

A couple of weeks ago, the Ulster Unionist Upper Bann Association met in Banbridge Orange Hall to choose from seven worthy and experienced candidates.

They made their choice, a choice which overwhelmingly endorsed fresh and vibrant candidates in the form of Colin McCusker and Councillor Jo-Anne Dobson who topped the poll.

You would think with having the word 'Democratic' in your Party name, you would understand that a fundamental element of the democratic process is that the voting public get to choose their politicians.

If by your comments, you are stating that the DUP wish to only offer two candidates to the electorate, perhaps indicating that you do not have fresh talent, then you are denying choice to the voters of Upper Bann. The UUP offer both talent and choice to the electorate.

May I respectfully suggest that you and your team should focus more on the message which you will be giving to the public, rather than spending time lecturing others as to what they should do. After all, the DUP have a track record of misleading the voting public.

We must never forget that at the last Assembly Election, the DUP campaigned on a "Smash Sinn Fein" footing, but shortly after, we witnessed the 'Chuckle Brothers' routine of Ian and Martin. The UUP shared power with moderate Nationalists and were not engaged in some unholy alliance or coalition of convenience and compromise with Republicans.

You state that you "stand ready to co-operate with fellow unionists." The UUP asked DUP Ministers in Stormont to meet with them before executive meetings to ensure a pan-unionist approach to issues.

No such meetings have taken place - your party is more inclined to co-operate with Sinn Fein, than with your fellow unionists.

Mr Moutray, it would be, to use your own words, "sheer folly" and "truly mind boggling" for the DUP to once again try to mislead the electorate.

Banbridge Ulster Unionist

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