DUP Assembly Member for North Down, Peter Weir has responded to comments from leading Northern Ireland Tories saying that they would ban members of the Orange Institution from seeking selection as UCUNF candidates. Mr. Weir said:
“Over the last few days since the formation of UCUNF, the blogosphere has witnessed various disagreements emerge amongst the group’s members. It seems that many people who signed up to disband the UUP and merge it with the Tories had little understanding as to what the practical implications would be. Leading commentators and members of the local Tory Party however, are very clear as to what they think the formation of UCUNF will mean for members of the Orange Institution seeking selection to run at election time or indeed, membership of the organisation.
One Tory commentator said:
“I acknowledge, however, that the presence of so many OO politicians is an obstacle to us making inroads as a cross-community party. My preference would be that they were not allowed to stand as candidates. Those members of the OO who have the party’s interest at heart would understand and appreciate this”
Jeffrey Peel, who is on record describing the Orange Institution as a “backward-facing, history obsessed, parish pump society”, had this to say:
'[It] is clear that we do have to address the issue of whether members of the Orange Order - or other sectarian organisations - should be permitted to join the Party...”
Reg Empey cannot run away from this issue any longer. There are dozens of councillors and MLAs who are members of the loyal orders, elected under the old UUP banner. Will they be banned from running at election time under UCUNF colours? As the regional co-head of UCUNF Reg Empey needs to state clearly what he thinks about these comments. Does he think that members of the Orange Order should be denied the possibility of running as UCUNF candidates or even denied party membership?
Discrimination against anyone on the basis of their religious belief is wrong. It is a shame that key movers and shakers in UCUNF seem to believe otherwise. Members of the Orange Institution and their families aren’t welcome in UCUNF. They should know that the DUP will continue to support our loyal orders and the valuable work that they do within the Unionist community."
