Unionist apathy over the European Parliament election could deliver two seats to nationalists in the three-seat Northern Ireland constituency, the Ulster Unionist candidate and outgoing MEP, Mr Jim Nicholson, has stated.
Mr Nicholson, when launching the Ulster Unionists' manifesto for Europe in Belfast yesterday, said it was "extremely important" that there be a large unionist turnout for the European poll on June 10th.
Mr Nicholson sat in the last European Parliament with the respective DUP and SDLP leaders, the Rev Ian Paisley and Mr John Hume - representing a DUP, Ulster Unionist and SDLP share of the three seats that has existed since Northern Ireland MEPs were first elected 25 years ago.
Mr Nicholson said, however, if unionists failed to grasp the importance of this election two nationalists - Ms Bairbre de Brún for Sinn Féin and Mr Martin Morgan for the SDLP - could for the first time be returned leaving just one Northern unionist in Brussels, either himself or the DUP candidate, Mr Jim Allister.
"What I am urging is for the unionist people to turn out in force to ensure the return of two unionist candidates to Brussels. If they don't turn out then we won't achieve that. It is as simple as that," he added.
He urged unionists to vote number one for him and to transfer to other "pro-unionist candidates", principally Mr Jim Allister of the DUP. He expected reciprocation from the DUP.
"The DUP needs to come out loud and clear and say where they stand on this issue. That is a challenge I send to Mr Allister - to make clear, as I have made clear, that I want Ulster Unionists to transfer their votes to him.
I hope he will be as straightforward as I am when launching his manifesto," he added.
He said unionists should give him their number one vote because having been in the European Parliament for the past 15 years he was the candidate with the proven experience, commitment and knowledge of the European scene. While Mr Allister said he would not co-operate in Europe with Sinn Féin's Ms Bairbre de Brún, if she were elected, Mr Nicholson took a different tack on this issue. He said the fact that Dr Paisley, Mr Hume and himself could co-operate in Europe helped Northern Ireland's cause, particularly on such issues as peace funding. He queried whether Ms de Brún, as part of a party that promoted an all-Ireland philosophy, would "put Northern Ireland first".
Pressed as to whether he would work with her in Brussels and Strasbourg, he said: "I will work with anyone who puts Northern Ireland first." In his manifesto Mr Nicholson said he and the Ulster Unionists opposed the creation of a European Union constitution and would campaign against it in the UK referendum. He said he was a "Euro-realist" but was opposed to the concept of an "EU super-state".
"There is too much centralisation going to Brussels," he said.
He opposed the euro and said when it was introduced in the Republic it was used "as an excuse to raise prices". He also opposed the idea of a European police force and army, and said while he supported controlled immigration, abuses of asylum laws could not be tolerated.
Mr Nicholson called for the abolition of the Common Fisheries Policy to help protect the fishing fleet in Kilkeel, Portavogie and Ardglass. He proposed improving the road and rail travel times between Northern Ireland and the Republic and also called for greater European support for agriculture, tourism and business development.
