Unionist ‘anti-politics’ party launches
A new Unionist party – called the Protestant Coalition and described as an “anti-politics political party” – has been launched.
Loyalist flag protestors Willie Frazer and Jim Dowson outlined their vision at the La Mon Hotel in Castlereagh on Wednesday morning.
They do not intend to stand for election and the organisation does not have an official leader.
The new political movement, which says it welcomes members from all communities, is constituted for three years.
Its website explains that it was launched “in response to the utter failure of the two main unionist parties to defend the interests of our community”.
A statement said: “Never before has such a wide, varied and capable group been brought together under the one banner.”
Members have accused DUP and UUP politicians of letting down their electorate.
Mr Frazer, who spoke publicly for the first time since being released from prison last month, said the Coalition was gaining widespread support from disaffected unionists.
“Gone are the days of rollover politics within the unionist community,” the Protestant Coalition spokesman said.
“Sinn Féin is in power; Sinn Féin is running this country,” he added. “We want to put a stop to that.”
Mr Frazer told UTV: “We want our politicians to become proactive, not reactive. The day of making a statement in a paper about an issue and then forget about it is over.
“Anybody who knows our background knows that when we get involved in something we don’t let go of it.”
“We have been able to pull (members) together, from all parts of Belfast, from Larne, from Londonderry, Coleraine, South Armagh, from Fermanagh. It has never happened before, because people could never agree but the principles and the aims and objectives we have picked, we all agree on.”
