Donaldson calls for unionist to vote to stop SF 'electoral rise'

Lagan Valley DUP candidate Jeffrey Donaldson said Thursday’s election gives unionists across Northern Ireland the chance to stop Sinn Fein’s electoral rise “in its tracks”.

Mr Donaldson said unionism could “simply not afford” to let Sinn Fein increase its vote as Gerry Adams’ party had set their sights on becoming the biggest political party in the Province.

“What sort of a message would it send to the world that the largest party in Northern Ireland is a party affiliated to a terrorist organisation that robs banks and murders people? None of us wants the apologists of murder and mayhem to be viewed as the voice of Northern Ireland,” Mr Donaldson said.

The former UUP MP said voter apathy was unionism’s “worst enemy”.

“I would urge unionists from every part of Northern Ireland to turn out in record numbers and cast their votes for the strong, principled leadership offered by the DUP,” Mr Donaldson continued. “Unionism cannot afford to let Sinn Fein reach its goal of largest party status and, in the process, return to the bad old days of weak leadership and a concession a day to republicans."

(MB/SP)