Simpson urges Gardiner to consider unionist unity

SAM Gardiner has been urged to consider unionism ahead of his party's interests.

Responding to Mr Gardiner’s claim that the DUP was “the wolf to the UUP’s Red Riding Hood” and speaking after he refused to confirm his support for cooperation in Upper Bann at the forthcoming Assembly election, David Simpson said there was a risk a seat could be lost to Sinn Fein.

“Sam Gardiner’s stance on unionist cooperation in Upper Bann at next year’s Assembly election runs the risk of losing a unionist seat currently held by his own party the UUP and handing it directly to Sinn Fein," said Mr Simpson.

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“The electoral mathematics in Upper Bann are absolutely crystal clear. There are currently four unionist MLAs, it was only as a result of the DUP taking the unilateral decision, in the last Assembly election in 2007, to go it alone on unionist cooperation, that the fourth unionist seat was won.”

“This has been confirmed independently by the Electoral Reform Society. In its analysis of the 2007 Assembly Election in Upper Bann it said DUP voters gave George Savage his seat ahead of the SF candidate.

“That fourth unionist seat, held currently by the UUP remains under threat. The DUP in Upper Bann have already made it clear that regardless of whatever happens in other parts of Northern Ireland we stand ready to cooperate with fellow unionists to secure that fourth unionist seat, held by the UUP.

"Regrettably Sam has now publicly refused to make any kind of similar commitment. He needs to change his stance and come up to speed with where the unionist electorate is currently. This is a case of the DUP calling for unionist cooperation in order to assist a UUP MLA get elected. Yet Sam Gardiner sees something sinister in that."

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Mr Simpson concluded: "I would again issue this direct appeal to Sam, the electoral margins around Upper Bann’s fourth unionist seat, held by his party, are too slim to be coy or play games.

"As one unionist to another I would again appeal to Sam: put unionism above party in Upper Bann and commit to working with us to maximising unionist strength.”

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