McKee says election is not referendum rerun

McKee says election is not referendum rerun

10 May 2017

THE Ulster Unionist Party’s South Down Westminster election candidate insists next month’s election is not a re-run of last year’s referendum on EU membership.

Harold McKee said he is delighted to be his party’s flag bearer in the constituency and the former Assemblyman has thanked voters who have weighed in with their support for him in the past.

“I have been humbled and privileged to serve as an MLA and have always sought to serve the people of South Down in an open and honest manner,” he said. “I have always immersed myself in my local community and have a strong commitment to making South Down and Northern Ireland a place that we can all be proud to call home.”

Describing himself as an an “unashamed advocate for the Union,” Mr McKee said since he was elected as a local councillor in 2011, he has worked hard on fishing and farming issues, helping people with benefits, welfare and planning matters, as well as working hard to secure rural broadband services.

He continued: “We are living in uncertain times with no Executive in place and the potential impact of Brexit still unknown. The lack of a functioning Executive is already being felt in our public services, not least education and health. Each passing week brings a new story with regard to how Brexit might affect the UK as a whole and Northern Ireland in particular.”

Mr McKee said the forthcoming election is not a re-run of last year’s referendum on membership of the EU, insisting “that boat has sailed.” He said instead, the concentration needs to be on coming together to get the best deal possible for Northern Ireland as part of the Brexit negotiations and to resist those attempting to use the election as an attempt to destabilise the Union. 

“That means electing Ulster Unionist candidates who will speak up for all the people of Northern Ireland and give them a voice in Westminster. There is no benefit in electing people who won’t turn up but are quite happy to keep claiming the expenses,” he continued.

Mr McKee added: “I am asking the electorate to vote for me as an Ulster Unionist candidate who will promote a positive, confident, embracing unionism. The United Kingdom is a nation for everyone. No-one has anything to fear from being part of the United Kingdom but a lot to lose from leaving it. That’s why at this election people should go out and vote for it.”