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The leader of the DUP says the party must engage with the nationalist community and ethnic minorities to strengthen unionism.<\/p>\nThe leader of the DUP says the party must engage with the nationalist community and ethnic minorities to strengthen unionism.<\/p>\n
Arlene Foster was speaking to party members and supporters in Co Antrim today at the Party\u2019s Autumn Policy Forum. The event was called: Vision for Unionism: Beyond 2021.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnionism must earn the votes of as broad a coalition as possible,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome may be Unionists of the very smallest u, and some may not even consider themselves unionists at all.\u201d<\/p>\n
In order to strengthen unionism, Ms Foster said the party \u201cmust engage with any, and all, supporters of the Union\u201d, and people\u2019s party political labels or beliefs would not hold them back from engaging.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe must engage Northern Ireland\u2019s minority ethnic and new communities,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cMulti-generational ethnic communities became an intrinsic part of Northern Ireland. This diversity has been augmented by the larger migrations of the last 20 years. They came to make their own contribution to our renewal. They have chosen to make Northern Ireland their home, some as part of their British dream.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow some were treated, too often was a source of shame rather than pride. Minority ethnic participation in our politics as representatives or voters remains disproportionately low. <\/p>\n
\u201cHow can we do more to help involve, integrate and celebrate how these citizens of Northern Ireland enrich our society?\u201d<\/p>\n
The party has worked to distance itself from anti-immigration rhetoric from some of its own members in the past.<\/p>\n
In March, the DUP stressed that they did not approve a Belfast city councilor\u2019s election leaflets containing controversial immigration pledges.<\/p>\n
Cllr Graham Craig distributed leaflets stating he would allocate \u201clocal homes for local people\u201d and take \u201cback control of immigration\u201d.<\/p>\n
Ms Foster added in her speech that the party must also reach out to the nationalist community, but conceded it would be met with skepticism by members.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the strand of work that will be treated with the greatest skepticism, and will require the longest-term commitment,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are not planting seeds for Unionism in the hope of a quick harvest. We are planting oaks to grow deep roots.\u201d<\/p>\n
She later added: \u201cNationalism believes and abides by historical determinism \u2013 \u2018our day will come\u2019. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a comforting belief that allows each generation to think it will be one last heave, one last push, one dramatic turn of events that delivers; one day all will fall into place.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, for one hundred years it hasn\u2019t worked. Instead democratic determinism has succeeded. The ballot box has seen off all challenges.<\/p>\n
\u201cNationalism waits on history to end Northern Ireland and our United Kingdom.\u201d<\/p>\n