Menu
09/04/2010
Unionists Agree Fermanagh Ticket
A single Unionist candidate will be fielded in the North's Fermanagh/South Tyrone in a bid to oust incumbent Irish Republican MP, Michelle Gildernew.
Rodney Connor will run as an Independent Unionist after the DUP and the UUP, along with its electoral partner the Conservatives, agreed to retract their respective Parliamentary candidates.
Mr Connor, a former chief executive at Fermanagh Council, will take the Tory whip but will exercise a free vote on Northern Ireland matters.
Democratic Unionists have been pushing for so-called 'Unionist unity' in both Fermanagh/South Tryone and South Belfast where the incumbent Nationalist and Republican MPs hold a small majority.
Ulster Conservatives and Unionists - the Tory/UUP election banner - had shown some resistance to the plans, however their proposed joint ticket, Tom Elliott, last night withdrew his candidacy.
The DUP's candidate Arlene Foster also announced she would not contest the election, clearing the way for Mr Connor.
She said the agreed single Unionist candidate was "of the utmost integrity and of the highest character".
Tory leader David Cameron and UUP leader Sir Reg Empey had earlier suggested they would position joint candidates in all of Northern Ireland's 18 Westminster constituencies.
SDLP leader Margaret Ritchie today lambasted the DUP and Ulster Conservatives and Unionists' agreement as sectarian.
"David Cameron is guilty of propping up sectarian politics and reinforcing sectarian division," she said.
"It serves as proof that his pledge that his party's foray into political life here was non-sectarian is a lie."
Also standing in the constituency are Sinn Fein's Michelle Gildernew, Fearghal McKinney of the SDLP and the Alliance Party's Vasundhara Kamble.
(PR/BMcC)
Rodney Connor will run as an Independent Unionist after the DUP and the UUP, along with its electoral partner the Conservatives, agreed to retract their respective Parliamentary candidates.
Mr Connor, a former chief executive at Fermanagh Council, will take the Tory whip but will exercise a free vote on Northern Ireland matters.
Democratic Unionists have been pushing for so-called 'Unionist unity' in both Fermanagh/South Tryone and South Belfast where the incumbent Nationalist and Republican MPs hold a small majority.
Ulster Conservatives and Unionists - the Tory/UUP election banner - had shown some resistance to the plans, however their proposed joint ticket, Tom Elliott, last night withdrew his candidacy.
The DUP's candidate Arlene Foster also announced she would not contest the election, clearing the way for Mr Connor.
She said the agreed single Unionist candidate was "of the utmost integrity and of the highest character".
Tory leader David Cameron and UUP leader Sir Reg Empey had earlier suggested they would position joint candidates in all of Northern Ireland's 18 Westminster constituencies.
SDLP leader Margaret Ritchie today lambasted the DUP and Ulster Conservatives and Unionists' agreement as sectarian.
"David Cameron is guilty of propping up sectarian politics and reinforcing sectarian division," she said.
"It serves as proof that his pledge that his party's foray into political life here was non-sectarian is a lie."
Also standing in the constituency are Sinn Fein's Michelle Gildernew, Fearghal McKinney of the SDLP and the Alliance Party's Vasundhara Kamble.
(PR/BMcC)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
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.
11 March 2011
Bomb Attack Targets Antrim DUP Man
The Alliance party Leader and local MLA David Ford has condemned a pipe bomb attack at the house of a DUP candidate John Smyth in Antrim. The attack took place in the Seacash area at around 4am this morning. Stormont Justice Minister David Ford said: "I am absolutely appalled at this cold and callous attack.
Bomb Attack Targets Antrim DUP Man
The Alliance party Leader and local MLA David Ford has condemned a pipe bomb attack at the house of a DUP candidate John Smyth in Antrim. The attack took place in the Seacash area at around 4am this morning. Stormont Justice Minister David Ford said: "I am absolutely appalled at this cold and callous attack.
14 October 2011
RTE Receive Complaints Over Prime Time Debate
RTE have received complaints over a televised Presidential debate, during which its host is said to have treated Sinn Fein candidate Martin McGuinness "unfairly".
RTE Receive Complaints Over Prime Time Debate
RTE have received complaints over a televised Presidential debate, during which its host is said to have treated Sinn Fein candidate Martin McGuinness "unfairly".
13 October 2011
'Malicious' Claims To Push Dana Out Of Race?
The seven Irish Presidential candidates have last night taken part in their third TV debate with independent candidate Dana Rosemary Scallon taking the spotlight this time - to deny "false" allegations made against her family - and to hint she may withdraw if the issue escalates.
'Malicious' Claims To Push Dana Out Of Race?
The seven Irish Presidential candidates have last night taken part in their third TV debate with independent candidate Dana Rosemary Scallon taking the spotlight this time - to deny "false" allegations made against her family - and to hint she may withdraw if the issue escalates.
19 April 2011
WOMAD To Celebrate City Of Culture
Revellers from Co Donegal will be able to benefit from a major music event that is on the way to the North West with news that the WOMAD international music festival is to be held in Derry. It is to be part of the UK City of Culture 2013 celebrations and will be a four-day festival attracting about 30,000 people.
WOMAD To Celebrate City Of Culture
Revellers from Co Donegal will be able to benefit from a major music event that is on the way to the North West with news that the WOMAD international music festival is to be held in Derry. It is to be part of the UK City of Culture 2013 celebrations and will be a four-day festival attracting about 30,000 people.
-
Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
