UUP on Enniskillen By-Election.

Thanks to the Ulster Unionists and Basil Johnston for a response to my questions. Here we go:

1. Recently there has been a direct Sinn Fein co-option to Fermanagh Council. Why has the passing of the late Joe Dodds led to a by-election?

The gap between the last local government election (2005) and the next one (2011) means that it is not unreasonable to give the electorate a choice. Also, the DUP's position has changed quite considerably on a number of issues since 2005 and 2007 and the unionist electorate in particular should be given the opportunity to give a verdict. That's certainly the line that the DUP itself took between 1998 and 2005!

2. Why are you best positioned to retain this seat for unionism?

It's not simply a case of being "best positioned" to retain a seat for unionism. It's also a case of making your own party political case to the electorate. Elections aren't always fun and they don't always give you the result you want, but there is no other way of finding out how your party stands with public opinion.

3. If this by-election returns a non-unionist why does it really matter?

Because of Arlene Foster’s actions as Environment Minister it is difficult to see how one more Sinn Fein councillor will make a difference. Arlene Foster introduced proposals that would merge Fermanagh with Omagh, so it seems inevitable that that nationalist majority will grow. The UUP is very much opposed to the merger and we have made it a campaign issue.

4. Vote management is key to retaining this seat. What measures have you and your party taken to ensure a smooth PR election?

As ever, everyone who gives the UUP a first preference has been encouraged to vote down the paper for other pro-Union candidates.

5. How have the people of Enniskillen reacted to a Stormont Minister contesting a council seat that she resigned recently?

We can't know the answer to that until the vote is in. Our own position has been that Arlene will continue to have a conflict of interests in her roles as both Minister and Councillor. How, for example, can she oppose the Omagh-Fermanagh merger when she, in fact, proposed it?

6. The TUV have chosen not to contest this marginal unionist seat. Are they to be commended in putting unionism first and how can you see unionism coalescing in the future?

We would tend to the view that the TUV suspected that it wouldn't do all that well and, consequently, took to the so-called moral highground of "unionist unity." What matters most for the longterm future of the Union and the UK is that we maximise the total pro-Union turnout and become more vigourous and adventurous in promoting the Union. It is important that there is co-operation between the pro-Union parties (which is why we are talking to the Conservatives), but we also think that there is room for two mainstream pro-Union parties in NI.


Food for thought there. Enjoy while I get back to the beach :)