Young Unionists are committed to alleviating Alienation - Dunn
Current Young Unionist Chairman and recently elected Deputy Mayor of Larne, Cllr. Mark Dunn, has said that stories of a Conservative Party coup ring hollow and that the views aired by former Chairman Peter Bowles are not representative of the UUP youth.
25 year old Cllr. Dunn has been elected as Larne’s Deputy Mayor for the year 2006/07 and is currently the youngest Larne Borough Councillor and the youngest person to hold the post of Deputy Mayor.
Cllr. Dunn said:
“Firstly, the Young Unionists would add to expressions of regret over Peter Bowles’ chosen course of action in defecting to the Conservative Party. The Young Unionists, and myself personally, would wish Peter well for his career and political future. As the Conservative’s only elected representative in Northern Ireland Peter faces a difficult task in continuing the uphill struggle faced by Tories over 2 decades to establish any credible presence in this part of the United Kingdom.
“Having spoken to many members of the Young Unionists in recent days, I have yet to hear of any approaches made to members regarding the possibility of their joining the Conservative Party in Northern Ireland. Young Unionists are obviously Unionists and would have severe objections to joining a party that refuses to designate itself as Unionist in Northern Ireland Assembly elections.
“Members of the Young Unionists are drawn from all parts of Northern Irish society. We are committed to working to alleviate alienation and to promote stability in loyalist communities, which have for too long felt left behind and under represented in the political process. The community still suffers under the legacy of a society divided, and the YUs are prepared to play our part in restoring confidence, tackling sectarianism, crime and paramilitarism within our community.”