UUP will engage in 'constructive communication' with DUP

FOLLOWING the general election, UUP leader Sir Reg Empey announced a wide-ranging review and analysis. He expressed the hope that this would spur unionism in general to take an honest and bold look at where we are going.

With regards to the UUP, there are a number of vital issues regarding strategy and presentation of policy which must be urgently addressed. The review's findings will shape the UUP's approach to the 2011 Assembly elections.

The general election result leaves us with real challenges – the review will not be a whitewash. I would like to thank those 102,000 people who voted for us. We know that a similar result in an Assembly election would have produced additional seats. But the hard questions will not be avoided. We will ask those questions and produce a measured but thorough analysis.

This will include examining the workings of the UUP-Conservative link. Many media commentators, of course, have been quick to pronounce it dead. This is despite the fact that the UUP's electoral allies now hold office in Downing Street.

There is also the question of 'unionist unity'. Ulster Unionism has always been committed to unity amongst and co-operation between pro-Union parties, based on shared values and a shared commitment to promote the Union.

It has been, however, bitterly disappointing to see some in the DUP engage in triumphalism after May 6 and avoid asking themselves the hard questions about