Young Unionist society forms at Coleraine University
The Ulster Young Unionist Council have become the first Unionist group to organise at the University of Ulster Coleraine. The well attended inaugural meeting was carried out without any problems and a full officer team for the forthcoming year was elected.
Speaking after the meeting, newly elected branch chair, Alasdair O’Hara, commented “I’m extremely pleased with how the meeting turned out. It was encouraging to see such a good breath of knowledge and capabilities coming through within the young people in the Unionist community. Hopefully this association will be something that young Unionist students at Coleraine will relate to.”
The Young Unionist branch at has been officially recognized by the UYUC; the youth wing of the Ulster Unionist Party. This gives it full constitutional rights within the organisation.
Addressing the members Mr O’Hara laid out his vision of a positive future for Young Unionists at the University. He remarked that “whatever certain politicians, such as Alistair Ross, try to claim there remains considerable interest in the Ulster Unionist Party within the student population. I am convinced that many of those duped in recent years are becoming increasingly agitated at the way they were told lie after lie by the DUP. Once power was within their reach the DUP ran for it dropping all principles along the way.”
Mr O’Hara however was realistic enough to admit that there were tough times ahead. “The so called ‘political protocol’ which the University of Ulster has in place is extremely prohibiting and makes the life of any political organisation difficult. Although I recognize certain restrictions should be in place to monitor the activities of students, I feel a blanket ban on anything political goes too far.”
The Ulster Young Unionist Council was first formed back in 1946 and is seen by many as a training ground for future generations of UUP politicians. Many of the current assembly team are past members including leader Sir Reg Empey and Chief Whip David McNarry.