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25/03/2010
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.
She will stand as an independent candidate at the forthcoming general election while speculation is mounting that the DUP will not field a runner in the Co Down constituency to ensure the pro-Union vote is not split.
This could pave the way for the popular MP's return to the Commons.
The UUP and Tories have already chosen Ian Parsley to contest the North Down constituency as an Ulster Conservatives and Unionist - New Force (UCUNF) candidate.
Lady Hermon, the wife of the late Sir Jack Hermon, had insisted from the outset she was "not a Tory" and that she did not intend to stand under a joint UCUNF banner.
She said today that the distance between her and the UUP had become "great over recent months".
"I have decided to resign from the Ulster Unionist Party with effect from midnight last night (Wednesday).
"I have taken a considerable amount of time to think and to reflect before coming to this decision, but I believe it to be the right one for the party and for me."
Lady Hermon said she has been proud to serve the UUP at Westminster since first becoming its MP for North Down in 2001.
She said she remained "deeply appreciative of kindnesses shown by and good friendships made with members throughout the party".
"It is now my intention to stand my ground, fighting the forthcoming General Election as an independent and fighting to win."
Lady Hermon added: "It will be the people of North Down who will give the ultimate verdict on my record as their MP."
(PR/NS)
Sylvia Hermon today resigned from the UUP and declared she would defend her North Down seat.
She will stand as an independent candidate at the forthcoming general election while speculation is mounting that the DUP will not field a runner in the Co Down constituency to ensure the pro-Union vote is not split.
This could pave the way for the popular MP's return to the Commons.
The UUP and Tories have already chosen Ian Parsley to contest the North Down constituency as an Ulster Conservatives and Unionist - New Force (UCUNF) candidate.
Lady Hermon, the wife of the late Sir Jack Hermon, had insisted from the outset she was "not a Tory" and that she did not intend to stand under a joint UCUNF banner.
She said today that the distance between her and the UUP had become "great over recent months".
"I have decided to resign from the Ulster Unionist Party with effect from midnight last night (Wednesday).
"I have taken a considerable amount of time to think and to reflect before coming to this decision, but I believe it to be the right one for the party and for me."
Lady Hermon said she has been proud to serve the UUP at Westminster since first becoming its MP for North Down in 2001.
She said she remained "deeply appreciative of kindnesses shown by and good friendships made with members throughout the party".
"It is now my intention to stand my ground, fighting the forthcoming General Election as an independent and fighting to win."
Lady Hermon added: "It will be the people of North Down who will give the ultimate verdict on my record as their MP."
(PR/NS)
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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.
23 February 2010
Hermon UUP Selection Quandary
There's election nomination troubles in the North today as the Ulster Unionists have only until this evening to select the party's North Down Westminster candidate.
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There's election nomination troubles in the North today as the Ulster Unionists have only until this evening to select the party's North Down Westminster candidate.
03 February 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.
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.
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.
05 January 2010
Hermon's Future Still Uncertain
Maverick Ulster Unionist Sylvia Hermon's position within the Northern party still remains vague following a lengthy meeting with Sir Reg Empey at the weekend. North Down MP Lady Hermon, the UUP's sole House of Commons voice, has indicated her distaste for Sir Reg's electoral link-up with the UK Tory Party.
Hermon's Future Still Uncertain
Maverick Ulster Unionist Sylvia Hermon's position within the Northern party still remains vague following a lengthy meeting with Sir Reg Empey at the weekend. North Down MP Lady Hermon, the UUP's sole House of Commons voice, has indicated her distaste for Sir Reg's electoral link-up with the UK Tory Party.
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