'˜Unionists must work together for the future'

Upper Bann DUP MP David Simpson has said the party is now stronger than ever in the constituency.
The DUP's Jonathan Buckley, left, celebrates being elected with fellow MLA, Carla Lockhart and Upper Bann MP, David Simpson.
Photo by Tony Hendron / Press Eye.The DUP's Jonathan Buckley, left, celebrates being elected with fellow MLA, Carla Lockhart and Upper Bann MP, David Simpson.
Photo by Tony Hendron / Press Eye.
The DUP's Jonathan Buckley, left, celebrates being elected with fellow MLA, Carla Lockhart and Upper Bann MP, David Simpson. Photo by Tony Hendron / Press Eye.

Congratulating successful candidates Carla Lockhart and Jonny Buckley, Mr Simpson thanked those who gave the DUP their first preference votes and transfers.

However, he said it was “Ultimately a time for Unionism to reflect.”

“For the first time in the history of Stormont we now have an Assembly which is majority nationalist. This is down to a situation in which Unionists decided not to transfer to other pro-Union parties. This cost seats across Northern Ireland. In fact it even cost another Unionist seat in Upper Bann as the UUP candidate Jo-Anne Dobson lost her seat in this constituency,” he said.

“It is time for Unionist parties to unite and discuss how they can work together.”