DUP stalwart Mervyn Storey has spoken of the honour of a lifetime in representing North Antrim in the Northern Ireland Assembly for the last 19 years, paying tribute to those who elected him to that position.
Mr Storey has said: ‘’I want to thank each and every voter who put their faith and trust in me at this election. Indeed I have been humbled by the support I have received since I entered politics back in 2001.
“Whilst I am disappointed not to have been successful on this occasion, I take comfort from the practical support my office and my dedicated staff have been able to provide to people right across the constituency. In politics you have to take the rough with the smooth and with the end of one chapter comes the start of another.
“The usual suspects claim this election result is a historic triumph for nationalism. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact the nationalist vote share has barely wavered since 1998. More unionists than nationalists voted last Thursday.
“Instead, the story of this election is sadly one of unionists divided, unionist votes shredded and unionist seats lost. There were 4.2 unionist quotas in North Antrim but only 3 unionists elected. In Strangford and East Antrim there were 4 unionist quotas with only 3 unionists elected.
“We need to address the division that has existed within the unionist family for far too long. If the outcome of this election tells us anything it is that campaigns built on attacking fellow unionists delivers less for unionism as a whole.
“Our cause is much more important than any personality or party. The Union must come first and all the benefits that it brings. The message we heard on the doorsteps over the past six weeks was clear. Voters want to see greater cooperation – to maximise representation and influence of Unionism. They want to see Unionist politicians working together, not undermining each other.
“I have no doubt that Northern Ireland has a bright future within the Union and I will continue to contribute to that future in whatever form that takes going forward. There is a clear appetite within Unionism for government that is sustainable and delivers for ordinary people. However progress is only made in Northern Ireland with the support of unionists and nationalists. That is why the Northern Ireland Protocol must be removed.
“It has been the honour of a lifetime to represent the constituency where I was born and rared, where I have raised my own family and which I love so much.
“I want to say thanks to my wife Christine who has sacrificed so much over the years that has allowed me to do my job on the behalf of others. To my children, Lydia, Philip and Jonathan who i love dearly i say thanks for they too have not had the attention they deserve from me because of the demands of public life. My grandchildren, Oscar and Martha-Joy are the love of my life and i trust i will see more of them.
“On a final note, I have and continue to give Thanks to God for His continued goodness and faithfulness. I rest confident in the words of Romans 8 v 28 “All things work together for good to those who love God” I know that His ways are perfect and will rest confident in what the days ahead have for me and my family.”
