UUP door “open” to any disillusioned DUP members who may want to join - Beattie

By PA reporter

New Ulster Unionist leader Doug Beattie said the door of his party was “open” to any disillusioned DUP members who may want to join.

Mr Beattie said: “I would say to all of them, you are in a political party, they have an awful lot to offer as politicians wherever they decide to call home, if that is staying within the DUP or whether they look to go elsewhere.

“Our door is always open to people who want to come to the Ulster Unionist Party, but if they want to do so they come understanding the Ulster Unionist Party values and I will talk to them and anyone who wants to come to make sure they understand that before I offer them the ability to join.

“If we bring anyone in, and we are a welcoming party, it must be going in our direction, seeing Northern Ireland through our eyes.”

New Ulster Unionist leader Doug Beattie said the door of his party was “open” to any disillusioned DUP members who may want to join.

“If we bring anyone in, and we are a welcoming party, it must be going in our direction, seeing Northern Ireland through our eyes.” pic.twitter.com/eW9DII2Y7S

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) May 28, 2021

Mr Beattie continued: “We have had conversations with a few individuals. No MLAs have approached me from the DUP; we may have some from local government, and other members and activists who may be talking to us now.

That is seeing what they think and where they want to go and what is their vision for Northern Ireland.

“If it matches ours, if we have somewhere where they can fit into our party and structures and promote what is good for Northern Ireland then we can offer them a place in the Ulster Unionist Party.

When asked to clarify that some DUP councillors were having conversations with him about joining the UUP, Mr Beattie said: “Oh yes, without a doubt there is a few.

Not hundreds, but there is a number. We will speak to them and they will know what we stand for.”

Pictured - Doug Beattie and Mike Nesbitt

Doug Beattie ruled out an electoral pact with other unionist parties at the next Assembly elections.

The UUP leader said: “I am quite clear that this next election is a single transferable vote, you don’t need pacts. What we all need to do as unionist parties is put forward candidates who have a vision for Northern Ireland which is progressive and inclusive and welcoming. If you do that people will vote for you.”