Ulster Unionist Party Leader Tom Elliott has responded to the comments from the Conservative Party Chairman Lord Feldman, and reiterated his stance that the Ulster Unionist Party will not be dis-banding.
Mr Elliott said;
“The Ulster Unionist Party has been in existence for well over a century. During that time we have been proud to defend and promote the Union and to serve the People of Northern Ireland.
Whilst electoral fortunes ebb and flow, last May we saw sixteen Assembly Members and 99 Councillors elected under the Ulster Unionist banner. We are represented on all 26 of Northern Ireland’s local councils and received more than 100,000 votes in last year’s local government elections.
I am convinced that this indicates that the electorate in Northern Ireland still wish to support this Party and vote for our candidates who are working every day in towns and villages throughout Northern Ireland to improve the lives of our citizens.
The Ulster Unionist Party remains committed to promoting a brand of of non-sectarian, centre-right, Pan- United Kingdom Unionism and I have absolutely no intention of disbanding this Party."