THE UK Independence Partyxa0(UKIP) in Northern Ireland has confirmed its withdrawal from the Unionist Forum.
The announcement was made by UKIP’s Northern Ireland leader David McNarry MLA and has been warmly received by UKIP members provincewide.
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Withdrawal from the Ulster Forum… Alan Lewis, right, with Newry and Mourne Councillor Henry Reilly and David McNarry MLA.[/caption]Welcoming the announcement,xa0UKIP’s Northern Ireland chairman, Cllr. Henry Reilly said: “The Unionist Forum promisedxa0much, but has delivered littlexa0of benefit to anyone anywhere.xa0The issues it was established to address remain largely unaddressed.
Councillor reilly said: “More than a year after it was established, it is clear the Forum has become a fig leaf for failure, inaction and inertia. UKIP believes words must be matched by action. As David has confirmed andxa0with immediate effect, UKIP Northern Ireland is noxa0longer a memberxa0of theUnionistxa0Forum. Wexa0of course remain committed toworking energeticallyxa0on behalfxa0of the people we represent as well as working closely withxa0other partiesxa0on matterxa0of mutual interest and common concern.”
UKIP Down District representative Alan Lewis added: “UKIP at first engaged in this forum and we seen benefit in talking to others within the unionist family. A year ago I said that I supportxa0UKIP’sxa0decision to take up their seats on the unionist forum, however, let me be very clear we are not interested in axa0talking shop that deflectsxa0failings.
“We want to see a active approach by all shades ofxa0unionismxa0to combat what has been a pan-nationalist assault on our culture and traditions.
“it is clear that the active approach has not been forthcoming, and I believe xa0in pulling out of this farce. We can now say it is disappointing that those who ran this forum could not see fit to call a meeting in well over six months.”
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