2026 is an important year for Unionism. As leader of the largest Unionist party, I am determined to make every effort to ensure that Unionism does not squander the narrow window of opportunity that exists to prepare for the future and build, in partnership across Unionism, a movement that is connected, re-invigorated and representative of our Pro-Union communities.
I support, and want to reflect the desire across the grassroots of Unionism, to see unionist representatives and their political parties working together to promote the Union, to stand up for all those who want to get on with their lives and who want to see our country prosper.
Unionism’s collective voice and clout will be stronger if we work together and our people can see a plan of action which they can help shape and then support. I have said it before and I will say it again; the truth is that if unionism has more seats, it will have more power to get things done. The opposite is also true, a divided and fractious unionism without co-operation will cost seats and our collective influence will diminish.
I stand ready to act in the widest interests of the Pro-Union cause and to work across the unionist spectrum. I have written to the incoming leader of the Ulster Unionist Party setting out our position and inviting him to meet. I look forward to working with Jon Burrows to see how our parties could co-operate and work towards building greater support for the Union and to test how we might best strengthen pro-Union co-operation leading to the election of more Pro-Union members at Local Government, Assembly and Westminster elections.
