So Much for Unionist Unity.

Vótáil Sinn Féin

The decision to hold a by election after the death of DUP councillor in Fermanagh has left in tatters any notion of ‘unionist unity’ between the DUP and UUP.

After taking the reigns of the DUP, their leader, Peter Robinson said that he would work towards the DUP and UPP working together. He stated "If, in the future, that does bring us so close together that we can have one organisation, so be it."

Somehow I can’t see this happening in the near future.

And what of Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) will they upset the applecart further by fielding another unionist candidate in an attempt to steal a seat from the DUP. The Jim Allister brigade will be watching the situation closely no doubt.

However Reg and the clan over in the UPP HQ reckon they are back on track. The Paisley dynasty they say is gone, the DUP are sharing power with republicans and the Dromore By election victory have got them feeling invincible.


The DUP have inevitably hit back and the claws of Arlene Foster have come out. The fear of another by election defeat and embarrassment for the DUP seems to be well founded. The DUP will also be anxious not to lose another Council seat ahead of the European elections next year.

So who will take the Fermanagh by election seat? If I was a betting person I would fancy a few pound on the local Sinn Féin candidate. However as for Unionist unity I wouldn't go placing any bets yet.