Runners and riders

The UUPs number 1 downfall since the departure of Trimble has been effective modern communication between the party and the electorate. It is at least 2 years away from an election, so the party should focus on rebuilding, restructuring and reforming before even trying to reshape policy or convey a message. Once it has its internal operations smooth, it can engage in a three way policy conversation UUP & public, UUP & its own grass roots and UUP & other partys. The lost generation of Unionists will be hard to win over, but they are there - at home, unimpressed and disconnected from the party which once represented their core daily interests. Winning them back will be a slow, draining process, but one which will yield reward and each and every election henceforth. Enda Kenny took over a demoralised, battered, policy naked party in 2002 in Republic, and in each and every contest since has increased the partys support in % terms and seats at local govt, national govt and in MEPs. Having been in the Young Unionists in my teens, and subsequently a Fine Gael councillor and Deputy Mayor in Republic, the core values of both these partys is similar, with similar socio-economic composition and aspirations. The UUP could learn from the FG recovery.