Responding to the DUP manifesto launch TUV leader Jim Allister said:
“It is clear from today’s DUP manifesto launch that the TUV message is cutting through of the doors and worrying Dundela Avenue.
“It was noticeable that while much time was devoted to warning about a split vote there was little or no reference to the fact that in a PR election the vote cannot be split as long as voters transfer across the Unionist family. TUV is clear – we ask for your number one vote with further preferences to all other pro-Union candidates. In that way no vote is wasted. It is highly regrettable that others are not as clear on this vital point.
“The attitude that only one Unionist party should be entitled to stand is positively damaging to the cause of Unionism.
“If others are finding that they have difficulty persuading people that their position will not weaken after the election they have only themselves to blame. No such issue is arising for TUV on the doorsteps.”