A Breath of Fresh Air for Unionism at Westminster

It is a breath of fresh air for Unionism. The Pro-Union Community should welcome the new Westminster representation of 4 strands of Unionism. While Unionism appears divided with 4 differing strands at Westminster this actually represents a new confidence and maturing of Unionism. We should embrace this diversity which has seen confident, un-phased pro-Union voters satisfied with the status quo on the constitutional issue drift to Alliance but want some delivery rather than polarised sabre rattling. The reality is that the Union is secure for the foreseeable future. Leaders in the South are talking new language of bringing people together and making Northern Ireland work rather than threats of border polls and constitutional change.

We in Unionism can at last afford the luxury of picking the best candidates from a myriad of parties.

Alex Easton and Swann (in alphabetical order) offer us far better choices and real representation at Westminster including on national affairs. The new MPs are gaining credibility and friends again at Westminster which is key and long lacking. Unionism deserves better and is maybe getting it.

With the UK budget under strain and little left in the kitty due to increasing defence spending Unionism should be working to reduce subvention by increasing competitiveness and reducing waste to grow the NI economy and drive tax revenue. The Health Service in Northern Ireland is in urgent need of reform otherwise it will soon become unmanageable and an existential crisis for Unionism as the Republic is now showing better outcomes based on an insurance-based system.

However, the 4 strands need to think smart to be more effective at Westminster and gain more allies as we did in the past. All Unionist strands could work together more on reserved matters at Westminster while retaining the separate strands at Stormont for devolved issues. This could lead to a more influential voting block and an effective voice on the challenges ahead arising from the increasingly restrictive Protocol.

With the threat of US tariffs on Northern Ireland and EU retaliation likely we in Northern Ireland need an effective rigorous coordinated response from engaged, well-informed and researched representatives. It is shocking to see the Leader of the UUP promote the ideas of a similar (i.e. bad) deal to the EU on trade with USA trade rather than face the issues of friction and increased costs of the Protocol on Northern Ireland. These issues are complex and with proper coordination and more short money for research and PR could create an effective working block in the House of Commons.

With left-right politics now blurred and little difference between major parties in London on economic, welfare and tax issues, Unionism needs to think smart and engage nationally to retain influence, gain friends and regain its influence once again in national politics .

Unionism in NI is only relevant in the wider UK if it participates fully in national politics and actually contributes to the Union in all respects including financially as it did from its birth in 1921, through two world wars and well into the 1960s.

Johnny Andrews, Former Vice Chairman of NI Conservatives