- DUP handling of RHI fallout has been a major strategic blunder
-
Unionism deserves confident leadership
Lord Empey said:
"The aim of an Assembly election is to establish a democratically elected Executive, led by a First and deputy First Minister. Since the disastrous changes made to the Belfast Agreement in 2006, the DUP and Sinn Fein have focussed on who can be First Minister – with the DUP making it a top priority in the last three Assembly elections.
“However, when playing the politics of fear the DUP have forgotten to include one important detail. In the scenario they have dreamt up where they switch places with Sinn Fein, Michelle O’Neill could only become First Minister should Arlene Foster nominate to be her deputy.
“No matter what way you look at it, it would appear that if the DUP and Sinn Fein are again returned as the biggest parties we are heading for a long period without an Executive in place.
“Only a change of support by the electorate to put in place other parties who could form a coalition of the willing can prevent a long period of political instability, during which Northern Ireland’s voice would be silenced on all the huge issues we currently face.
“The DUP have made a major strategic blunder in their handling of the fallout of the RHI scheme. They have put themselves out of power for a long time and are allowing Sinn Fein to set the scene for negotiations. They have surrendered leadership of Northern Ireland without a fight.
“They have concentrated on their own self-preservation. Rather than coming up with a plan to reverse the damage that has been done to the integrity of institutions, they are instead dreaming up ways to manipulate unionist voters, keeping them in a state of perpetual fear. Slapping images of Gerry Adams on leaflets appears to be the best they can come up with. Instead of injecting confidence into unionism, the DUP are focussed on finding new bogeymen. Unionism deserves better, more confident leadership. That is why the public should vote Ulster Unionist on 2nd March.”