Statement by Sir Reg Empey

In recent weeks the press has been dominated by calls from the DUP in relation to Unionist deals, Unionist pacts and Unionist Unity. Ian Paisley Junior's commentary (10th December 2009) to this paper is just one of them. For me and for many of my colleagues who have been berated and insulted by the DUP over the years we understandably find these calls insincere and indeed offensive.

The DUP seem to be in utter denial. In calling for unionist unity there is a complete and utter failure on their part to acknowledge that it was the DUP who created a division in Unionism in the first place. When Ian's father founded the DUP in 1971 he created a split in unionism which has lasted for nearly forty years. What was fractured by the DUP during that time has never fully recovered. The latest manifestation of this trend was evident at the European poll in June with the substantial vote for a former DUP member Jim Allister of the TUV.

In his column Ian Junior chose to open his remarks criticising the Ulster Unionist Party for our working relationship with the Conservative Party. In doing so he fails to recognise the importance behind this relationship which will help to ensure that Northern Ireland takes its rightful place at the heart of the Union. He condemns our intention to stand in every seat - this is exactly what the DUP did in 2005!

He claims the UUP do exactly what we are told by our Conservative colleagues - what a load of rubbish. During his address to our conference last year, David Cameron made the strongest commitment yet by a Conservative Leader to the Union; he clearly stated that he would not be neutral on the Union, which has been Government policy for over thirty years. So instead of condemning Ulster Unionists, he should be happy at this course of events.

David Cameron's commitment will be welcomed by those who believe in the Union, especially as it was re-enforced in October this year at our conference by William Hague MP.

It seems odd to me that Ian thinks that the UUP's relationship with the pro Union Conservative party is wrong, but his conversion to being in government with Sinn Fein is OK!

Being a unionist means that I believe in our existence within the whole United Kingdom - unlike the DUP's 'little Ulster' mentality.

What Ian is offering as an olive branch will be received as intended - a simple tactic by the DUP to reverse some of the damage they faced at the European election back in June. Their constant barrage smacks of desperation - are they that concerned about the Westminster results that they want to rely on deals? This is only a short term point scoring exercise intended to divert attention from their failures. If the DUP had been serious about a pact, then correspondence would not have been received through the media, but through senior party officials. It is for this reason that I take Ian's offer with a very large pinch of salt.

He recognises mistakes from the past - will he go one step further and acknowledge that it was the DUP who ensured the Fermanagh and South Tyrone seat was handed to Sinn Fein as a result of their backing an independent unionist candidate who said before polling day that he would rather see an SF MP elected than an Ulster Unionist?

The only long term solution to this is for Unionists to unite around policy - this is how we will ensure that Northern Ireland is placed at the heart of the Union.