Statement on UUP determination to field a Democratically Selected Candidate for the imminent Westminster Election

The Rev. McCrea's recent outbursts, which are a vain attempt to curtail the democratic process, are just downright silly. In his latest statement he is advising that those with low votes in the past should not even be considering standing for election in Mid-Ulster. Perhaps by now he has already told this to his own little clique of party workers so that they can prepare to say farewell to one of his own low-scoring Councillors who only got around 100 votes at his last council election. It would be even more interesting if that Councillor were to be pushed out after his years of faithful service to the DUP at Magherafelt Council in favour of yet another member of the McCrea family.

The Reverend McCrea should stop treating the members of the Mid-Ulster Ulster Unionist Association with arrogant contempt. They have acted with particular honour all along and have given all of the unionist electorate unparalleled ease in getting involved in the politics of their country. They have made their branch AGMs open to the public in most cases by advertising in the press. They have also advertised openly in the local press for candidates for the Westminster Election and they will meet soon (F&M permitting) to conduct a fair and unchallengable selection from those who are not afraid of the unionist people. No unionist can say that they did not get a chance to influence the UUP party policy for the opportunity was always staring them in the face. 

This is in direct contrast to the DUP who will not allow anyone to join their ranks that might speak up or even ask awkward questions against some of the more ludicrous elements of their own party policy.

If Rev. McCrea's son feels that he is such good medicine for the Mid-Ulster constituency, then perhaps it would be more fitting if he were to show himself and court the favour of the local Ulster Unionists by letting us know exactly what he thinks he is able to offer. Hiding behind his father' shadow does not seem to exhibit much confidence that he will be much use as an election candidate.

Finally it has to be said that the Rev. McCrea's attitude towards the UUP has up to now always been 'take me or leave me'. That attitude is certainly not acceptable any longer especially if he wants his fine words about agreement to be believed.

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