Orangemen and their families must help ensure a maximum turn-out
of pro-Union voters at the forthcoming General Election and
the local government elections to the 26 district councils
in Northern Ireland on Thursday, June 7.
This is the call from the Grand Master of Ireland, Wor. Bro.
Robert Saulters in a letter to all Orangemen in the Province,
a move fully supported by senior officials of the Grand Orange
Lodge of Ireland.
In his letter, Wor. Bro. Robert Saulters points out: "It
is something of a cliche to say that Ulster stands at a critical
moment in time, but it is nonetheless true. We can all play
our part in maintaining the Union by maximising the Unionist
vote in both elections.
"Grand Lodge of Ireland will not tell their members
who to vote for, but we urge you to give the matter careful
and prayerful consideration.
"We would recommend that you cast your vote for those
candidates whose record shows them to be fully committed to
the Union, and who clearly uphold the principles, and share
the aims of our great Institution."
Many Orangemen, and indeed Orangewomen, are standing on different
Unionist platforms for election to the Westminster Parliament
in the various Northern Ireland constituencies and in the
elections to the 582 district council seats.
It is absolutely essential that Unionists are returned to
a majority of the 18 Westminster seats and that Unionist control
is retained of most of the 26 district councils. Any other
result would send the message out beyond these shores that
Northern Ireland is weakening in its resolve to remain part
of the United Kingdom.
The honesty and integrity of Unionist candidates is vital
when seeking an electoral mandate and, before voting, the
pro-Union public should carefully note the past record of
MPs and councillors in sticking by the main pledges in their
election manifestoes.
This is the required stipulation for any public representative
and, with the present political and terrorist onslaught on
our beloved Province, it is all the more important that Unionist
candidates are clear and unequivocal in standing up in defence
of the Union.
The broad fundamental principles of Unionism cannot under
any circumstances be sacrificed for political expediency,
party advantage or personal gain.
The forces of Irish pan-nationalism must be thwarted in their
attempts to push the people of Northern Ireland against their
democratic will into a united Ireland and the most meaningful
way to do that is come out in maximum numbers on June 7, and
vote Unionist. Remember, support those candidates who stand
by their promises and mainfesto pledges!
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