Election battle gears up

The first verbal shots have been fired in the Foyle constituency by the DUP's Maurice Devenney, who The Sentinel can reveal has been selected to replace William Hay as the party's prospective candidate in the Westminster elections.

With all sections of the unionist community coming together to voice such strong opposition to Derry City Council's proposal to wipe the 'London' prefix from the city's name last year, hopes are growing that unionists will continue to make themselves heard on this and other issues.

Mr Devenney said the name change issue highlighted two things - the strength of unionism when it stands together, and that the community is prepared to stand up for its British identity.

During the last election, there were reports that around 2,500 unionists voted for the SDLP amid fears that Sinn Fein might win the Foyle seat, though Mark Durkan went on to secure a comprehensive victory.

Mr Devenney urged unionists to think carefully if asked to 'lend' votes to any party in the forthcoming election, and said they should concentrate on their own strengths.

He also challenged the SDLP: "It's not too late for the SDLP to withdraw their support for Sinn Fein on the name issue. The SDLP is the majority party, and they hold the key. The name change issue set relationships back for many years, but at the same time it galvanised and united unionism and we saw clearly what can happen when unionists unite."

He added: "In every election it's important for the unionist community to register strong opposition to many issues in this city. Unionism has been going through a difficult period, especially with the name change proposal. This is another opportunity to register opposition to that proposal and send a signal on a number of other issues.

"Over the years, I believe we have been the party that's been out in front on all issues affecting unionism."

Mr Devenney said the unionist community had been isolated and alienated, and felt like "an add-on" but that confidence was now growing.

He said: "We have to be positive in moving forward. Many seem to think they could ignore us, but that is changing. We can send a clear message. Unionists want to live in the city, raise their children here, socialise and play their part in this city. We want to work with the nationalist community, not as an add-on but on the basis of equality".