Coulter, Swann urge Unionists to win back Sinn Féin’s Seat
North Antrim Ulster Unionist Assembly candidates Rev Dr Robert Coulter and Mr Robin Swann have urged the Unionist electorate in the constituency to “win back the seat lost in 2003 to republicans”.
In a joint statement, the two UUP candidates said Sinn Fein had delivered “absolutely nothing” for North Antrim’s pro-Union community and the 7th March poll provided “a tremendous opportunity to win back the seat for Unionism”.
Dr Coulter and Mr Swann said: “The time has come for the pro-Union community in North Antrim to democratically mobilise and maximise the Unionist vote on 7th March by winning back the seat from Sinn Fein.
“Polling day represents a golden opportunity for all shades of pro-Union voters to unite behind a common banner – the defeat of Sinn Fein’s bid to retain the Assembly seat in North Antrim.
“If the Unionist family wins back this seat, we will send a powerful message to the republican movement that Unionists firmly reject the all-Ireland strategy of Sinn Fein.
“The republican movement must stop conning the Northern Ireland people with irresponsible all-Ireland fantasies. They should grow up and start acting like a responsible political organisation capable of making commonsense decisions.”
Dr Coulter and Mr Swann accused the republican movement’s leadership of behaving “like stubborn primary school pupils” by persisting with their damaging all-Ireland economic policies.
“Sinn Fein needs to get in step and stop living in the past. This is a time for confidence building by the republican movement. The time has now come for the republican movement to move on from their sterile focus on expensive and unnecessary north-south structures. It is time to start living in the real world. The challenge facing all of us is to build up a prosperous Northern Ireland which is firmly within the United Kingdom.
“Let the Unionist voters of North Antrim unite in sending a clear message to republicans of every shade. By winning back the seat, we say to Sinn Fein – we firmly believe the future of this great constituency of North Antrim lies within the United Kingdom,” said Dr Coulter and Mr Swann.