Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson has called for Unionism to display greater long term vision and strategic thinking in all future negotiations and agreements.
Mr Nicholson said:
“Jeffrey Donaldson was recently very keen to blame lack of co-operation on the loss of 16 Unionist seats at the last Assembly election.
“He was however silent on the fact that it was the surge in nationalist turnout that led to a bigger nationalist vote. Or perhaps more importantly, what lessons his party can learn from what may have caused that surge.
“He also had very little to say about how this result, and the series of mishandled negotiations in the months and years preceding it, came about after 10 years of the DUP as the largest unionist party.
“Short term patch-ups do not work. Unionism needs and requires more long term vision and strategic thinking in all future agreements. Side deals do not work and clearly have not delivered for Unionism.
“Now is however not the time for recrimination. The last election was a wake-up call for pro-Union people in Northern Ireland: you cannot expect to win if you do not turn out to vote.
“The Ulster Unionist Party has organised a number of voter registration clinics across the country. I would urge all those who value the Union to make sure you are registered to vote, and to make your voice heard should there be another election.”