Simpson backs a greater unionist unity

The Upper Bann MP and DUP candidate said: “The situation I inherited as MP for Upper Bann was one where the constituency had suffered from political neglect.That has now been transformed – three full-time offices, two part-time advice centres, over 27,000 constituency cases completed, over 3 million in lost or new benefits won for constituents and over 100,000 raised for good causes.”

“On the wider scene,” he added, “together with party colleagues I have helped Northern Ireland to make great strides in recent years – only recently we delivered an additional 800 million for policing that means among other things an additional 1,200 police officers.”

Mr Simpson said he and his party as a whole are open to any suggestions which would end in unionist politicians winning the Fermanagh-South Tyrone and South Belfast seats, including independent unionist candidates, joint unionist candidates or even sharing the two seats with the UUP taking one and the DUP taking the other.

He said: “The possibility exists that for the first time in a generation Northern Ireland MPs could exert real influence over a weak incoming government. This is exactly the time to make it clear that support for the government will come at a price – one that would bring benefit to Northern Ireland.”

Mr Simpson added: “In 2005 Upper Bann spoke and made it clear that failing, part-time piecemeal, representation was no longer an option. Now in 2010 I am asking the people of Upper Bann to make clear that Northern Ireland must take priority over either the Tories or Labour and that unionist unity must take priority over personal bitterness and division.”