SF and the DUP care only for themselves

I AM writing in response to the article by Ed Curran (News, March 14), in which he referred to Northern Ireland having “a totally divided and deadlocked political system, with unionists and nationalists living out their social and cultural lives in their own very different manner”.

As usual, there was much of interest in Ed’s article and it should provoke some soul-searching for many readers. I was, however, struck by the following statement: “As for the two parties who defined power-sharing two decades ago, they have become also-rans. It is hard to see any revival of fortunes for either. The Ulster Unionists languish in the shadow of the DUP.”

Using such disparaging language to describe the two parties that brought about the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement is unhelpful and only encourages those who have successfully strengthened and deepened divisions here.

Perhaps Ed might write a piece about the changes imposed on the agreement in 2006/07 that changed how First and Deputy First Minister were elected? It is that change that has brought us to where we are today.

Political fortunes can, and do, change. Change is possible and is in the hands of the electorate.

If voters are unhappy at the current state of Northern Ireland, they have the remedy available to them.

As a lifelong Ulster Unionist, it is my aim that the Ulster Unionist Party should be the vehicle for the change that so many people in this society both want and need.

We are acutely aware of the need to offer people hope of something better and a brand of unionism that is as far removed as possible from RHI scandals, Nama probes and sectarian carve-ups.

It was evident to us a quarter of a century ago, as we sought to reach an agreement and end the nightmare of decades of violence, that a strong centre ground was crucial to creating and maintaining political stability.

The DUP/Sinn Fein-led administrations at Stormont proved that those parties are consumed with self-interest to the exclusion of all other considerations.

When the Belfast Agreement was concluded over 20 years ago, it’s fair to say that we had hoped to be in a much better place than we are today.

But the future is not written and change is possible. If enough people want a different style of politics, it is not only possible, it is in their hands.

LORD EMPEY Ulster Unionist Party