In an impassioned plea for Unionist Unity, the DUP’s Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Arlene Foster said:
“I have said that I am prepared to stand aside for a unity candidate who can give Fermanagh and South Tyrone representation in Westminster . I have known Tom Elliott for many years. I think, left to his own devices, Tom would love to do the same.
I am appealing to Tom to stand with me and say: “we are both willing and prepared to step aside for a unity candidate who can win the seat”. The DUP has said we will support unity and co-operation: that remains our policy.
I don’t care what David Cameron or any other Tory thinks. I care about the people of my area and they deserve Westminster representation. Are we really going to allow this destructive Tory policy of fighting every single seat to hand two key Westminster seats to anti-Unionist candidates?
Ordinary Unionists are really angry at the Tories just breezing in and dictating to those of us who have been in the front line for the Union for many years. Where were the Tories when it was actually difficult to be a Unionist in Northern Ireland ? When people where putting their lives on the line for the Union , they were secretly talking to the IRA behind our backs and plotting to impose the Anglo-Irish Agreement over our heads.
It is time for Tom to do the right thing in Fermanagh and South Tyrone. People from throughout the Unionist community are utterly aghast at the refusal of the UUP up until now to come to some sort of an agreement with fellow-Unionists over these two key Westminster seats. Failure to co-operate will condemn my constituents to another four years of Gildernew. I don’t believe that is what Tom Elliot desires but people deserve to know is it what Reg Empey wants? I urge Tom to stand with me over this issue. He knows it is the right thing to do.”