Down has first-ever Sinn Fein chairman
By Deborah McAleese
07 June 2006
Unionists reacted with fury after the election of Down District Council’s first republican chairman.
The DUP failed in a bid to block Sinn Fein MLA Willie Clarke from stepping into the council’s top position at Monday’s annual meeting after a motion opposing the d’Hondt system was thrown out.
Outraged DUP councillors told Councillor Clarke that he would not be welcomed in many parts of the district.
And they called on constituents in unionist areas to snub the chairman in favour of SDLP vice-chair Peter Craig.
But Mr Clarke, a councillor for five years, said he is determined to reach out to unionists and build a relationship with them.
“Willie Clarke will not be welcome in many areas of the District, so how does he intend to do his job?” said DUP councillor William Walker. “This is a very sad day in the history of Down Council.”
But Mr Clarke said he will do all in his power to improve relations with unionist communities.
“I intend to work very closely with unionist communities to see if I can help break down barriers that have been built up over the years,” he said.
“I want the DUP to know that I intend to go into every area to try and help all those people on the ground. That is what being council chairman is about.
“I will also be acknowledging the pain that the Republican movement may have caused in some communities.
“If we want to move forward then we all need to work together. The DUP will have to stop these outbursts if they want to move forward.”
