DUP have lost their bottle - and the plot says Chairperson of Ulster Unionist Councillors Association.
Trevor Wilson Chairperson of the Ulster Unionist Councillors Association has accused the DUP of losing their bottle in agreeing to a proposal for 11 Councils. Mr Wilson claimed that the DUP have struck an ill thought out deal with Sinn Fein in order to avoid council elections next year.
In a statement Mr. Wilson said,
“The DUP have lost their bottle over Council reform because they fear running elections next year against a resurgent Ulster Unionist Party and the emerging TUV. There is definitely concern within the DUP, brought on by the Dromore by-election and recent events, that they will be squeezed from both sides. However, the outcome of this is that Sinn Fein and the DUP have produced a last minute cobbled together compromise that will be detrimental to unionism in Belfast and the West and the functioning of local councils.
Equally they have lost the plot – the Ulster Unionists have consistently argued for 15 councils which mirror the current parliamentary boundaries. This is a common sense approach that people are familiar and comfortable with. This new proposal for 11 councils will only cause confusion amongst voters. Questions also remain over the nature of and extent of the powers that will be handed down to local councils; we believe in strong local councils, there should not be change merely for change sake. Additional questions remain over the financial implications of this proposal. I believe that the DUP have made a decision based on fear and political expediency rather than what is in the best interests of the people of Northern Ireland”.