An alternative take on Tom’s 100 days

Editorial Department • Published 21 Jan 2011 09:00 0 Comments

Dear Sir, - Kenny Donaldson, he of Crossmaglen and friend and side kick of Tom Elliott must be applauded for the valiant attempt made to put a positive spin on Tom Elliott’s first 100 days as UUP Leader.

Yet it can only be the most ardent Ulster Unionist who could seriously try to say that Tom’s leadership tenure has been a success thus far. The 100 days has been dominated by high profile figures leaving the Ulster Unionist Party. David McClarty gone, Harry Hamilton gone, Trevor Ringland gone, Paula Bradshaw gone, to name but a few. Is this how Kenny Donaldson measures success?  

One only had to watch the UUP Conference recently, with droves of empty seats and bored expressions, to see that Tom has failed to reinvigorate the membership of the party. And when you listened to the speech, sadly you could see why. No new ideas, no solutions, no vision for unionism, no vision for Northern Ireland - just clichés and attacks on fellow unionists.

Yet no doubt Tom is proud of what he has achieved. As Kenny points out, the Ulster Unionist Party always came first for Tom. In 1998, Tom claimed to be against the Belfast Agreement, but despite the irrevocable damage done to Unionism, Tom abandoned his beliefs for the sake of the UUP and soon was rewarded by becoming an MLA. He told Conference he now wants to ‘finish the job we started in 1998’. Yet Tom, you supposedly opposed the Agreement in 1998? A “values driven” leader Kenny? Really?

Sadly for Kenny, the most accurate part of his letter is when he says “Ulstermen and women can spot spin merchants a mile off.” No amount of spin can fool people into thinking Tom Elliott’s first 100 days is a success. The thought of Tom leading or negotiating for unionism is laughable, and the electorate see that.

Yours faithfully,

Ray Carscadden

Lack, Co. Fermanagh

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This letter appeared in Impartial Reporter 20 Jan 11

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