The Ulster Unionist Party could yet stage a political comeback as pressure grows on the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), party leader Sir Reg Empey said today.
Despite predictions the beleaguered party faced further losses to its bitter rivals, he pointed to Ian Paisley’s sudden fall from power as evidence that the DUP had chinks in its armour.
And while Sir Reg warned supporters of a slow recovery, he said the DUP decision to share power with republicans created fresh opportunities for the UUP.
With the DUP facing an unprecedented threat from hard-liners and continuing deadlock between the DUP and Sinn Féin in government, he said his party could yet reclaim the position of largest unionist party.
“I certainly think we harbour that ambition. We are not under any illusion it is going to be overnight,” he said.
“You don’t get down to the level we were at and get back quickly... but equally I think things have moved rather dramatically in the last 14 months.
“Who would have thought that the Paisley dynasty would be wiped out?
“In politics, what goes around comes around and it has happened rather quickly.”
His comments came as Ulster Unionists on Fermanagh District Council announced they would force a by-election rather than let the DUP co-opt a new councillor to replace the deceased Joe Dodds.
In February it was the DUP who forced the Dromore by-election, only to see the UUP hold the council seat with the help of Jim Allister’s hard-line Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV).
Ulster Unionists are currently rebuilding the party after crushing defeats by the DUP in Westminster and Assembly elections.
But the UUP recently finished a restructuring process, introducing a new focus on constituency needs and greater central control over the selection of candidates.
PA