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31/03/2010
Second UUP Resignation Shock
The North's Assembly has been hit by a second shock resignation as another Ulster Unionist resigned from the party over its electoral link-up with the UK Conservatives.
Alan McFarland, an MLA for North Down, quit last night citing the "detrimental" pact for his decision.
Last week the UUP's sole Westminster MP, Lady Hermon, ended months of speculation by leaving the party and announcing intentions to contest her Parliamentary seat at the forthcoming general election as an Independent candidate.
She had earlier made it clear she would not stand under a joint UUP and Tory banner.
Sir Reg Empey, the UUP leader, agreed on a voting alliance with Conservative leader David Cameron in 2008.
A UUP spokesman last night expressed "disappointment" at Mr McFarland's resignation, but said it was not "unexpected".
In a statement disclosing his exit from the party, Mr McFarland described the Ulster Conservatives and Unionists - New Force (UCUNF) deal as "detrimental" to unionist interests in Northern Ireland.
He will now sit as an Independent MLA in the Assembly, after serving as a UUP representative for 12 year.
"With the recent confirmation of candidates, including the imposition of a Conservative candidate in my own North Down constituency, it is clear that the party is determined to continue down the Conservative road," Mr McFarland said in a statement.
"I do not wish to join them. I am sorry to leave a party that contains many good friends, and greatly regret that events have developed in the way they have."
Mr McFarland is expected to participate in Lady Hermon's general election campaign.
(PR/BMcC)
Alan McFarland, an MLA for North Down, quit last night citing the "detrimental" pact for his decision.
Last week the UUP's sole Westminster MP, Lady Hermon, ended months of speculation by leaving the party and announcing intentions to contest her Parliamentary seat at the forthcoming general election as an Independent candidate.
She had earlier made it clear she would not stand under a joint UUP and Tory banner.
Sir Reg Empey, the UUP leader, agreed on a voting alliance with Conservative leader David Cameron in 2008.
A UUP spokesman last night expressed "disappointment" at Mr McFarland's resignation, but said it was not "unexpected".
In a statement disclosing his exit from the party, Mr McFarland described the Ulster Conservatives and Unionists - New Force (UCUNF) deal as "detrimental" to unionist interests in Northern Ireland.
He will now sit as an Independent MLA in the Assembly, after serving as a UUP representative for 12 year.
"With the recent confirmation of candidates, including the imposition of a Conservative candidate in my own North Down constituency, it is clear that the party is determined to continue down the Conservative road," Mr McFarland said in a statement.
"I do not wish to join them. I am sorry to leave a party that contains many good friends, and greatly regret that events have developed in the way they have."
Mr McFarland is expected to participate in Lady Hermon's general election campaign.
(PR/BMcC)
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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.
08 April 2011
Northern Assembly Nominations Revealed
Around half the politicians whose names were put forward today for election as Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) at Stormont, will actually make it to a seat. That's because the overall number of candidates standing this time round is down by almost 40 on the last Assembly poll in the North, in 2007.
Northern Assembly Nominations Revealed
Around half the politicians whose names were put forward today for election as Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) at Stormont, will actually make it to a seat. That's because the overall number of candidates standing this time round is down by almost 40 on the last Assembly poll in the North, in 2007.
16 February 2011
UU Calls For Stormont Opposition Slammed
The Ulster Unionist leader Tom Elliott has called for an end to the mandatory coalition government at Stormont. He slammed the NI Executive, saying its system of government needs an overhaul.
UU Calls For Stormont Opposition Slammed
The Ulster Unionist leader Tom Elliott has called for an end to the mandatory coalition government at Stormont. He slammed the NI Executive, saying its system of government needs an overhaul.
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.
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.
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