Simpson welcomes UUP call forco-operation

Re-emphasising the DUP’s commitment to such an approach David Simpson said: “I welcome the recent comments made by George Savage.

"I have long argued, both publicly and privately for greater unionist co-operation. Here in Upper Bann the DUP saw the need for this several years ago and took the unilateral step at the 2007 Assembly election of campaigning on this approach in order to secure a fourth unionist Assembly seat. I am glad that we were successful.”

“George’s recent comments were a public confirmation of what many of us have known privately to have been his position. I welcome the fact that he has made these comments in a public manner.

“For our part the DUP in Upper Bann stand ready to work together with the UUP in order to maximise the number of unionists returned to both the NI Assembly and Banbridge and Craigavon council’s.“We now have a situation where the DUP in Upper Bann stand collectively ready to reach an agreed way forward, and one of the two UUP MLAs has also demonstrated a public commitment to this. There is now only one vital ingredient missing and that is the other UUP MLA.

"I would make this public call for George’s UUP Assembly colleague to indicate along with the rest of us that he too stands ready to co-operate in order to maximise unionist strength at both council and Assembly level in next year’s elections.”

“We want to be able to trace a way forward where there is buy in on all sides. The DUP in Upper Bann is ready. George Savage has now indicated his readiness. It would greatly assist things along if the other UUP MLA were to give some kind of similar indication.”