5 days ago
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Senior Orangeman joins calls for unionist unity as DUP leader says division ‘has cost us dearly'
Harold Henning, the Orange Order's Deputy Grand Master, said cooperation between parties should be 'demanded', not just encouraged.
It came as Gavin Robinson said division had cost unionism dearly.
Although neither specifically mentioned electoral pacts, both want greater party co-operation in future elections.
Northern Ireland is next due to go to the polls in the 2027 Assembly election.
In some seats, such as Lagan Valley at the last Westminster poll, a split vote has seen a non-unionist candidate elected.
Mr Henning, speaking at the Twelfth in Maghera, Co Londonderry, made a clear plea for unionist co-operation.
'I recognise that the Orange family is a broad church in terms of its political views - however, one thing all our members can agree on is that our interests are best served as citizens of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,' he said.
'The leadership of this Institution remains consistent in its desire to see closer collaboration between the leadership of our pro-Union political parties so as to maximise unionist representation at all levels of government.
'Cooperation between our political representatives must be encouraged - more than that, it should be demanded, and country should always come before party or individual self-interest.
'Let's get that message out to our politicians – as a people, we want to see more unity of purpose across political unionism.'
Twelfth celebrations get underway in Belfast
Meanwhile, in a pre-Twelfth email to DUP members, Gavin Robinson said politicians must take note of the Orange Institution's "unifying power'.
'Across towns and villages, it brings together people from every walk of life, reminding us of the strength that comes when we stand side by side,' he said.
'That is a message unionism must learn from. We achieve more together than we do apart.
'Divided unionism has already cost us dearly.
'As we look ahead to Assembly and council elections in two years' time, we must explore how to maximise the pro-Union vote and return more unionist representatives, not fewer.
'The need for common purpose and cooperation has never been more obvious or more essential.'
Meanwhile, South Antrim MP Robin Swann attacked the Windsor Framework during a speech at the Twelfth in Carnlough.
In a direct message to Secretary of State Hilary Benn, Mr Swann said the Union is a commitment, not a convenience.
'The Windsor Framework does not restore our place fully in the UK internal market,' he said.
'It leaves Northern Ireland subject to foreign laws we cannot change.
'It carves a regulatory border between Larne and Stranraer, between Belfast and Ayrshire.
'It sends a message: That our place in the United Kingdom is conditional; that our rights as British citizens are somehow less equal than those across the water.'
He added: 'The Framework may offer tweaks — but it does not solve the fundamental problem. Our economic, constitutional, and democratic rights remain compromised.
'So, we say to the Secretary of State, Hilary Benn - the Union is not a convenience - It is a commitment.
'And Northern Ireland must be fully, equally and permanently part of it, and you need to step up to the job you have been given.'
