“Seize the Chance - Vote as Never Before” - Lord Kilclooney
In a statement, UUP peer Lord Kilclooney said: “I was elected in 1965 and am therefore Ulster’s longest-serving politician. For 30 years we all suffered. Looking back I recognise that this election is a real chance to move forward.
“We are spoilt for choice – those for St Andrews; those opposed to St Andrews; those sitting on the fence; those for the United Kingdom; those for a United Ireland.
“There simply is no excuse to fail to vote. And a poor turnout would bring about the collapse of Stormont and condemn us to indifferent rule by English politicians with no local mandate.
“Often people cry out for bread-and-butter politics – not constitutional politics. We have it in this election. We campaign about the future of grammar schools; the NHS; water charges; bureaucracy in agriculture etc. We are now electing MLAs who will decide these matters. We must vote to influence the decisions we want – not leave it to others.
“Over 40,000 registered to vote after the publication of the electoral role on October 16 – most of them were nationalists. This week the list of those who claimed postal votes are once again overwhelmingly nationalist. Nationalists are taking this election seriously. They are going to vote in large numbers. The pro-British majority must vote strongly and maximise their vote and thus the decisions in the new assembly.
“I am flying back from Westminster on polling day to vote and, using the PR system to its best advantage, I will vote for every pro-British candidate and then proceed to vote for all other candidates who are opposed to violent terrorism.”