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03/02/2010
No DUP/UUP Merger Says Empey
There is continued political wrangling today in the North.
Ulster Unionist Leader Sir Reg Empey has quashed reports his party is set to merge with the DUP.
Sir Reg said the UUP remains 100% committed to its electoral pact with the UK Tories.
At an Ulster Unionist Executive meeting last night, the party rejected what it called "bogus unionist unity talks".
Senior UUP members reaffirmed their agreement to field joint unionist and Conservative candidates in every Northern Ireland parliamentary constituency at the next general election.
Last week, the BBC reported secret talks had been held between the DUP, UUP and Orange Lodge late last year.
It is believed a unionist bloc at Stormont was discussed, amid growing fears of a three-way split in the unionist vote.
Should the DUP lose electoral ground to the UUP or hardline Traditional Unionist Voice - led by Jim Allister - Sinn Fein could be returned as the Assembly's largest party, and occupy the office of First Minister.
A DUP delegation including Peter Robinson and Nigel Dodds reportedly met with Sir Reg and the Orange Grand Master Robert Saulters regarding the matter in December.
Last month the two unionist parties held secret London talks facilitated by the Tory shadow NI secretary Owen Paterson.
Two possible Ulster Conservative and Unionist New Force candidates - Sheila Davidson and Peter McCann - withdrew there nominations in protest at what they believed was the UUP siding with a 'tribal' party.
The latest announcement by the UUP Executive could strengthen the resolve of the party's sole Westminster MP.
Maverick parliamentarian Lady Hermon has said she will not stand under a joint Unionist and Conservative banner at the next election.
The popular North Down MP has still to be officially selected to contest her constituency, despite winning the backing of local UUP members.
It is has been suggested Lady Hermon could eventually stand as an independent unionist candidate.
(PR/BMcC)
Ulster Unionist Leader Sir Reg Empey has quashed reports his party is set to merge with the DUP.
Sir Reg said the UUP remains 100% committed to its electoral pact with the UK Tories.
At an Ulster Unionist Executive meeting last night, the party rejected what it called "bogus unionist unity talks".
Senior UUP members reaffirmed their agreement to field joint unionist and Conservative candidates in every Northern Ireland parliamentary constituency at the next general election.
Last week, the BBC reported secret talks had been held between the DUP, UUP and Orange Lodge late last year.
It is believed a unionist bloc at Stormont was discussed, amid growing fears of a three-way split in the unionist vote.
Should the DUP lose electoral ground to the UUP or hardline Traditional Unionist Voice - led by Jim Allister - Sinn Fein could be returned as the Assembly's largest party, and occupy the office of First Minister.
A DUP delegation including Peter Robinson and Nigel Dodds reportedly met with Sir Reg and the Orange Grand Master Robert Saulters regarding the matter in December.
Last month the two unionist parties held secret London talks facilitated by the Tory shadow NI secretary Owen Paterson.
Two possible Ulster Conservative and Unionist New Force candidates - Sheila Davidson and Peter McCann - withdrew there nominations in protest at what they believed was the UUP siding with a 'tribal' party.
The latest announcement by the UUP Executive could strengthen the resolve of the party's sole Westminster MP.
Maverick parliamentarian Lady Hermon has said she will not stand under a joint Unionist and Conservative banner at the next election.
The popular North Down MP has still to be officially selected to contest her constituency, despite winning the backing of local UUP members.
It is has been suggested Lady Hermon could eventually stand as an independent unionist candidate.
(PR/BMcC)
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29 March 2010
Empey Challenges DUP Unity Calls
The North's biggest political party, the DUP has "nothing to lose and everything to gain" from a Unionist unity pact with the UUP in Fermanagh/South Tyrone and South Belfast at the forthcoming Westminster elections, Sir Reg Empey has.
Empey Challenges DUP Unity Calls
The North's biggest political party, the DUP has "nothing to lose and everything to gain" from a Unionist unity pact with the UUP in Fermanagh/South Tyrone and South Belfast at the forthcoming Westminster elections, Sir Reg Empey has.
02 August 2013
PSNI Arrest DUP Councillor Over Facebook Post
A DUP Councillor in Northern Ireland has been arrested in connection with "grossly offensive communications, intimidation and encouraging criminal acts", the Police Service of Northern Ireland has said.
PSNI Arrest DUP Councillor Over Facebook Post
A DUP Councillor in Northern Ireland has been arrested in connection with "grossly offensive communications, intimidation and encouraging criminal acts", the Police Service of Northern Ireland has said.
25 March 2010
MP Hermon Quits UUP
The North's only Ulster Unionist MP at Westminster has quit the party over its electoral pact with the Tories. Sylvia Hermon today resigned from the UUP and declared she would defend her North Down seat.
MP Hermon Quits UUP
The North's only Ulster Unionist MP at Westminster has quit the party over its electoral pact with the Tories. Sylvia Hermon today resigned from the UUP and declared she would defend her North Down seat.
26 October 2009
Lady Hermon Snubs Tories In North
A top Northern politician has snubbed her party's own conference. Lady Sylvia Hermon has said her absence from the Ulster Unionist's annual gathering was in protest at the party's voting pact with the Conservatives.
Lady Hermon Snubs Tories In North
A top Northern politician has snubbed her party's own conference. Lady Sylvia Hermon has said her absence from the Ulster Unionist's annual gathering was in protest at the party's voting pact with the Conservatives.
24 February 2010
Unionist Hermon Rejects Tory Ticket
A top Northern politician, Lady Sylvia Hermon will not stand as the agreed joint Unionist and Tory candidate for North Down at the next Westminster General Election. The announcement came amid reports two UUP members have already positioned themselves for nomination in the constituency.
Unionist Hermon Rejects Tory Ticket
A top Northern politician, Lady Sylvia Hermon will not stand as the agreed joint Unionist and Tory candidate for North Down at the next Westminster General Election. The announcement came amid reports two UUP members have already positioned themselves for nomination in the constituency.
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