Commenting on the first anniversary of the Dromore by-election the TUV candidate and now his party’s vice-chairman Keith Harbinson said:

“It is one year since the Dromore by-election result, which subsequently sparked the ending of an era, and the greatest tidal change in policy to be seen in quite some time.  The Traditional Unionist Voice may not have won the seat, but with 739 first preference votes, we did win the election. 

“One year ago we contested our first ever election, and from a standing start secured 27% of the Unionist vote, and 20% of the entire vote cast.  The political fallout, which followed, namely the removal of Dr Paisley was unprecedented but alas, unfortunately what was delivered by the DUP in the wake of the Dromore result was little more than a change of personnel.

“The Traditional Unionist Voice have experienced a meteoric transformation into a disciplined and well structured political party capable of providing legitimate opposition right across Northern Ireland against the flawed governance we see emanating from Stormont on a daily basis.  With the creation of branch after branch, we have witnessed an ever-increasing groundswell of support for Traditional Unionist values and principles.

“We have witnessed much political water flow under the bridge in the past 12 months, much of it however has been contaminated with the pollution of sub standard government caused by the failings of the current system. For instance the appointment of four Victims Commissioners, the long running debacle surrounding our Education System and the Maze Stadium proposals not to mention the long period of political posturing as the DUP and Sinn Fein Executive Ministers faced each other down over the Devolution of Policing and Justice.

“The contribution of Traditional Unionist Voice however cannot be understated, evidenced when during a Policing and Justice debate on 11th March Gerry Adams stated ‘Jim Allister is as likely to be dictating what the DUP does as anyone on the benches opposite’ or when John O’Dowd stated in An Phoblacht ‘The pattern seems to be that Jim Allister raises an issue and it becomes DUP priority’.  The TUV are responsible for putting the brakes on concession after concession being delivered to the Republican agenda by other Unionists.

“Some things however have not changed we still are made to bear the threat of Republican Militants on our streets, whilst enduring their Terrorist brethren at the heart of our government.  Recently we saw the shameful suggestion of payments being made to the families of terrorists such as Thomas Begley, rightly causing abhorrence amongst all right thinking people, yet since 8th May 2007 we have been rewarding terrorists with office for their previous campaigns of murder.

“I am immensely proud of the small part that I have played in defending Traditional Unionist values protected and maintained by our forefathers and so wantonly forgotten by some in the strive for power, and it is a cause in which everyone has a role to play.

“Our next electoral test is of course just around the corner when we will contest the European Elections on 4th June 2009.  In our Party Leader Jim Allister QC MEP we have an exceptional candidate with ability and principles, and I would call on all Unionists to support our stand and support the fight back for Unionism as best and in any way they can.”