TUV to fight on despite defeat
The Traditional Unionist Voice has said it will continue to exist despite failing to win any seat in last month’s General Election, a result branded by the party as “disappointing.”
Following a council meeting on Tuesday night, a spokesperson confirmed members will continue to fight on.
“The message from across the party was clear, the cause which brought TUV into existence remains right.”
The party led by Jim Allister opposes power-sharing with Sinn Fein and what it calls the “rigged system of mandatory coalition”.
TUV candidates were widely expected to challenge a number of seats traditionally held by the DUP and UUP in the May election but only won 3.9% of votes across Northern Ireland.
In the wake of the election the party remained silent over its future.
But Mr Allister, speaking to delegates at the central council on Tuesday night, said: “With every day that passes we see the continuance of malfunctioning misgovernment at Stormont.
“Government by deadlock is not government at all. Yet, this is the certain product of the unworkable system imposed under the Belfast Agreement.
“The fact that not even an Opposition is permitted in Stormont adds not just to the democratic deficit but underscores the absurdity of the system. Change is imperative if progress is ever to be possible.”
Jim Allister was unsuccessful in his personal bid to take the North Antrim seat from the DUP, polling 7,114 votes against Ian Paisley Junior’s 19,672.
