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Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland
  Orange Standard

Absolute Need For Unionists To Vote

Article 1 ~ May 2003

Ulster Protestants, especially Orangemen and Unionists, must use their greatest weapon in the coming days - exercise the right to vote.

At the time of going to print it is not certain when the impending election will take place in Northern Ireland. But when it comes, irrespective of the date, all Protestants who care for the welfare of this Province, and who cherish its place within the United Kingdom must go to the polls.

Apathy on the part of Protestants in this vital issue during the past decade has cost the Unionist parties dearly as regards the loss of key seats at Westminster, Assembly, and local government level.

Control of Belfast City Council hinges on one or two seats, so it is essential if there is to be an overall Unionist majority that all Unionists go out and vote.

In Londonderry there is still a chance of electing a Unionist in the city side, while in many of the 26 local councils there are seats which could be picked up if everyone did their duty. Recently, on BBC 'Talkback' programme there was a deregatory reference to what was called 'Garden Centre Prods' - Protestants who apparently prefer to be in the garden on election day than going to the polls.

There are very few 'Garden Centre republicans and nationalists' as these people have taken on board the lesson that getting their supporters out on election day is of supreme importance. They have collected seats in the most unusual and unlikely places by taking advantage of Protestants staying away from the polling stations in droves, and getting their own supporters out. Protestants must acquire the habit once again of going out to cast their vote and demonstrating in decisive style that Northern Ireland is British and intends to stay within the United Kingdom, with all the cherished liberties and freedoms that this guarantees.

Orangemen, of course, must vote too, and most probably do.

This next Assembly election when it does take place could be one of the most important in the history of the Northern Ireland state, so we cannot stress too strongly the need for all Orange brethren to get out and vote.

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