Referendum result: DUP in touch with Middle England

Mick has his first thoughts on the EU referendum below. He has pointed out that although the majority of Northern Ireland voted to remain it was close: realistically most unionists voted to leave.

To disgress for a moment. Prior to last year’s assembly election people suggested the DUP were beginning to lose touch with substantial parts of the unionist electorate. The victory for the UUP in South Antrim and the fairly close run win for the DUP in East Belfast was seen as axiomatic of this change.

Then came the assembly election and Arlene’s triumph.

Now turning back to the referendum. The DUP seems once again to have judged the mood of the unionist population pretty correctly. As a further thought though note that only one party (except UKIP with 1 seat) in Westminster solidly supported what has now been shown to be the majority will of the British people: that party is the DUP. Maybe middle England is much more akin to the views of the DUP than many might like to think.

Much is to be written about what happens now but those who laugh at the DUP as being totally out of touch with and alien to the median British population might want to think again. As a final comment for now if one wants an example of an out of touch party and leader spare a thought for Leanne Wood of Plaid Cymru which brands itself as “The Party of Wales” who strongly backed the EU whilst the people of Wales voted heavily for Brexit.