South Down Traditional Unionist Voice held a highly successful stew night last Friday in Ballinran Community Centre. Members of the branch served homemade Ulster Stew followed by a dessert of apple tart or pavlova. Those in attendance also heard Schomberg Fife and Drum perform some military and Orange tunes. The meeting was then addressed by Traditional Unionist Voice press officer, Samuel Morrison.

In the course of his remarks Mr Morrison commented on the outstanding scenery of the Mourne area but made the point that the landscape of many parts of Northern Ireland is indelibly printed on the memory of many people not because of its beauty but because it was the scene of some dreadful act of murder. He went on to say:

“There are many things about the current form of government to which our Province is subjected to which I find objectionable.

“It’s undemocratic, robbing people of the basic human right to remove corrupt, incompetent or self-serving parties from government. Denying them the opposition which is essential to hold an executive to account.

“It’s anti-British. As Peter Robinson once observed when he professed the principles which he has since sacrificed on the altar of political ambition, “there is no quicker way to destroy Northern Ireland than from within its own government.”

“It’s dysfunctional. You cannot stick parties who are committed to free market economics (like the DUP and Ulster Unionists) in government with a Marxist party like Sinn Fein/IRA and expect anything other than chaos.

“But fundamentally the greatest objection which Traditional Unionists have to Stormont’s elected dictatorship is that it contains within its ranks those who supported, advocated and perpetrated violence. That is what makes it most obnoxious.”

The evening was then rounded off by Rising Stour who played some pieces on the accordion.

Commenting afterward Mourne TUV chairman George McConnell said:
“Local Traditional Unionists were really encouraged by the turnout and we, as a branch, would like to extend a thank you to all those who came along. Everyone had a most enjoyable evening. This was due in no small part to Schomberg Fife and Drum and Rising Stour to whom we are indebted for the excellent entertainment.

“The turn out and feedback received have left us in no doubt that TUV will perform well in South Down in the European election in June”.