Over recent days some of the vested political interests seeking to create and maintain divisions within the unionist family have raised their voices. They argue for a continuation of division and acrimony. Einstein said madness is doing the same things over and over again and expecting different results. Unionist division makes Unionists want to stay at home, continuing division and bitterness will increase the number of Unionist non-voters. The long-term interests of Northern Ireland are served through Unionist co-operation not through perpetuating still further division.
The recent Westminster results were good for the DUP but they did not realise the full potential for those who believe in the Union between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Seats that could be won for the Union through working jointly were lost. South Belfast because of 2 Unionist candidates facing a pan-nationalist MP running with Sinn Fein backing whilst in Fermanagh and South Tyrone we lost out because a number of TUV supporters spoiled their ballots and gifted the seat to Gildernew.
If the Conservative-Liberal Democrat Coalition Government lasts a full term, then a Westminster Election is 5 years away. Many political commentators believe the coalition’s foundations are already shaky; with an election being called within a short timescale. Unionists need to be prepared. Setting aside possible Westminster elections it is certain the next electoral challenges are only 10 months away.
With the Assembly and Council elections in May 2011 opportunities arise to maximise the pro-union vote; giving unionists greater representation at each level. Unionists need to focus their energies on a strategy that will deliver a programme of shared values and ideas that can excite people sufficiently to come out to vote, whilst at the same time putting aside the bitterness of the past. The concept of a unionist electoral agreement is being articulated at high levels. These ideas need to be worked on and turned into reality. All too often the idea of unity and co-operation emerges after an election and slowly drifts away. I sense that this time things are different. People are crying out for closer co-operation within Unionism and there seems to be a genuine desire in most quarters to see it happen.
Providing leadership and guidance as well as an unquestionable rationale for casting a vote is essential. The unionist population needs reasons beyond the constitution to enter the polling booth. So-called “bread and butter” issues must be uppermost in the topics that dominate the political agenda. In these current times when people are struggling to get by the shared Unionist agenda of fiscal rectitude, protecting excellence in education, improving efficiency in government is far more appealing to the greater part of the electorate than the shared nationalist agenda of high taxes, destroying grammar schools and resisting the efficiency agenda.
When the political case is articulated clearly and cogently then the unionist electorate, including those who have not voted in recent elections, will turn out in greater numbers. Substantial numbers however will say no to their vote if the inter-party bickering and belligerence dominates the daily political debate. Giving the electorate reasons to turn out, beyond the old arguments, must be the objective and no seat should be lost through a failure of unionists to co-operate.
Articulating a clear political vision, not through rose tinted glasses, but in a practical, inclusive and positive manner across all the issues will give confidence to the electorate and take full advantage of the broad interest in maintaining the Union.
