DUP Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson has called for the UUP to clarify its stance on 50/50 recruitment. Mr. Donaldson was speaking after the Conservative Party representatives on the Standing Committee voted with Labour, SDLP and the Liberal Democrats in support of this recruitment policy which discriminates against Protestants continuing for a further year. The DUP MP was the only member of the Committee to vote against the Draft Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 (Renewal of Temporary Provisions) Order 2010 whilst there were ten votes in favour. Commenting Mr. Donaldson said,
“Where does the UUP stand on this policy which discriminates against Protestants joining the police? This is a useful insight into how a UCUNF MP would vote in Parliament.
This decision confirms our longstanding suspicions that a UCUNF MP would be whipped to vote along Party lines regardless of the impact for constituents in Northern Ireland. This vote by the senior partners of the UCUNF experiment comes only 24 hours after the UUP described the policy as "the repugnant legalisation of religious discrimination". No-one would disagree with those sentiments, but whilst Ulster Unionists may hold those views, it is clear that the Conservative Party holds the whip.
Protestant people across Northern Ireland will be gravely disappointed that the UUP’s Conservative partners have now given 50/50 recruitment discrimination another lease of life. People shouldn't be surprised however, as it was the UUP who gave us this discriminatory policy through Patten reform. Indeed, this was at a time when Reg Empey was their Chief Negotiator.
No one will whip DUP MPs to vote for policies which are bad for our constituencies. Once again the DUP position of being a free and unfettered voice in the House of Commons has been vindicated. We cast our votes in the best interest of Northern Ireland and the constituents we represent.
Due to the efforts of the DUP this will be the final year when this insult will be heaped upon to the Protestant community. I look forward to a day when young Protestants can apply to become Police Officers and be assessed purely on merit and not their religious background.”
