Unionists have expressed their anger and disgust at the Derry City and Strabane Council’s campaign to change the name of the city from Londonderry to Derry.
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Some Unionists have even described the act as ‘sectarian’ and were appalled at the vote which passed with ease last night.
The motion tabled was supported fully by all SDLP, Sinn Féin and Independent councillors.
Unionists opposed the name change motion but the vote passed comfortably and now members will write to Minister for the Environment Mark Durkan to seek how they can get the name changed.
A Facebook campaign launched in May received tremendous support with over 1,500 people signing a petition.
However, after the vote some Unionists expressed their anger at the council’s decision.
DUP Councillor David Ramsey branded the vote “disgusting”.
“We are totally opposed to any change from the name Londonderry,” he said.
UUP Councillor Derek Hussey claimed the name of the city could not be “changed back” because it had, to his understanding, always been ‘Londonderry’ under a Royal Charter.
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