Following the resignation of Alex Kane as Communications Director of the UUP one would have imagined that Sir Reg would have wanted to replace Alex with a public advocate of the partnership with the Conservatives.
Instead Alex has been replaced by an Orangeman and apparent advocate for UUP-DUP “unionist unity” – Danny Kennedy. Moreover, if Kennedy took a psychometric test I don’t think it’d reveal communications skills as a key attribute.
After the leaked Hatfield House talks hit the headlines locally it was Danny who was trotted-out by the UUP at Stormont to argue why these talks were a good thing. “The pro-Union people will welcome these talks,” he said. By “pro-Union people” read “Protestant.”
He also appeared on the BBC’s Hearts and Minds Programme last week to defend the UUP’s decision to have secret talks with the DUP before Christmas – organised by the Orange Order. He and Sammy Wilson of the DUP were practically at one on the programme - agreeing enthusiastically with each other. According to Kennedy, “It’s perfectly natural for those with a pro-Union disposition to have conversations with each other…perfectly natural to look at might happen in the future…”
Last week Owen Paterson and Sir Reg Empey issued statements indicating that the partnership between both parties was solid. However, let’s look at where this relationship is. There has been continued delay and vacillation on the part of the UUP committee to work with the Conservatives to select candidates – resulting in two cancelled trips by David Cameron to Northern Ireland to announce them. The UUP’s one MP has announced she will be running as an independent rather than running as a Conservative and Unionist. The UUP has had secret talks with the DUP about “Unionist unity”. 3 excellent Conservative candidates have withdrawn because of moves towards UUP/DUP unity. And now the UUP has elevated an Orangeman and “Unionist unity” advocate to the role of Head of Communications.
One really has to ask what more the UUP has to do before Owen Paterson withdraws from this absurd partnership. Surely this must be the final straw.
Sir Reg Empey, if he is serious about a partnership with the Conservatives, should be removing the Party whip from Danny Kennedy and David McNarry. However, now one of them is the Party’s official spokesman.
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