With some last minute details to be ironed out, UUP sources are describing new UUP/Tory ‘partnership’ arrangements as 95% done and expect it to be put to a vote tonight. The two parties will remain separate entities but as rumoured/leaked a joint nominating committee for European and Westminster elections will be established. It will work on a “consensual basis” and this should leave scope for potential deals on South Belfast and Fermanagh and South Tyrone.
A silly media row about racism just had to figure in the riots’ post mortem. Was the Tudor history expert David Starkey racist on Newsnight when he said: The whites have become black. A particular sort of violent, destructive, nihilistic, gangster culture has become the fashion. And black and white, boy and girl, operate in [...] read our review »
This reads as if a mad picaresque tale. Myers as first a reporter for RTÉ and then as a freelance journalist with no real experience, finds himself wandering into savagery as he hastens north as the Troubles explode. A soldier dies next to him; he witnesses an IRA ambush; he sees children shot to death [...] read our review »
Tories in pacts with the DUP. Hmmmmmm…
The Tories have already said they will contest all 18 seats.
Fair Deal- I suggest you read the above and try to understand it.
I read the comments of some numpty DUP councillor in the News Letter this morning saying he was concerned that the only national party which stands in its 4 constituent parts is daring to suggest it do the aforementioned. I dare suggest the Tory Party will take the advice of the Tooth Fairy before any member of the DUP…no offence.
Yes Cllr Johnston’s comments were a bit sad. I loved the bit where he mentions the fact that a past Tory leader signed up to the Anglo Irish Agreement (27 years ago).
Strange he omits that his Leader (Ian Paisley) sat in Government (last year) with former IRA leaders and the current one has just agreed to devolved policing and justice (yesterday).
The truth is when these people say ‘unionist’ they mean ‘Protestant’
I think its a good idea for Conservatives to stand in every seat in the UK – shame Labour dont
I think Gordon Brown might have more pressing matters on his mind than setting up party structures and running candidates in the North.
Yes But to let people join the Labour Party but not run candidates is discriminatory?
oh yes fair-deal, we must make sure that the politics of the sectarian headcount are not contaminated by these interlopers…
the sooner unionism and its revolting creed is swept into the dustbin of history the better. i don’t think you realise just how disgusting your “politics” are.
Sorry folks I’ve been misinterpreted/ insufficiently clear (take your pick).
I meant the consensual basis means that the UUP could decide it does not wish to agree a candidate for a particular constituency with the tories, not that the tories would agree a candidate with the DUP.
it was clear to me at least what you were saying, and, also, your dismal sectarianism remains…. how sad.
I wonder if we will be seeing any defections?
“the sooner unionism and its revolting creed is swept into the dustbin of history the better.”
Naturally, Dub, I am sure you meant “some forms of unionism”. Because I’d hate to think that in that sweeping statement, you’d like to see all of us from that community gone?
Shared space, anyone…?
Update: Reports that their Exec have agreed unanimously to the merger
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“the sooner unionism and its revolting creed is swept into the dustbin of history the better.”
Naturally, Dub, I am sure you meant “some forms of unionism”. Because I’d hate to think that in that sweeping statement, you’d like to see all of us from that community gone?
Shared space, anyone…?
Posted by The Raven (that is, if he’s allowed to perch here) on Nov 20, 2008 @ 09:41 PM
no i think it means as read, nationalists want us gone, BY ANY MEANS
I think the UUP would be better served in the long-term by remodelling itself on the Tories – including finding a dynamic, younger leader – rather than ‘borrowing’ the charismatic package from Westminster. A home-grown Dave Cameron would work wonders for politics in NI. All this arrangement does in terms of the presentation is unflatteringly contrast the boy wonder with the ginger minger.
Dave, the Ginger Minger has done more work in his Ministerial role over the past few months than many of his counterparts put together.
I agree with the sentiment of your post, but having recently been at a (non-political) do where the Reg-ster was on hand for questions, I have to say I had to re-evaluate my opinion of him.
The Raven, I also have a very high regard for Reg as a quality public figure. The comment was about presentation and contrast with the easy voter appeal and charisma of Dave Cameron. A party leader must be charismatic – and that’s where ‘ginger minger’ doesn’t appeal. Rather like Mark Durkan, he is capable and decent but not a leader who can command popular support.
dub
Yawn. You just stick to preconceived notions about Unionism and everything and anything is twisted to reinforce them. Electoral pacts are nothing to do with sectarianism.
Fair Deal
You assume that having single Unionist candidates will unite everyone and maximise the vote. I know from my experience and contacts in South Belfast that you can’t assume that all UUP voters will vote for a single agreed DUP candidate, and vice-versa.
Remember also, that if you get agreed single Unionists candidates in Fermanagh & S. Tyrone, and South Belfast, you’ll force a ‘reaction’ from the other side i.e. Nationalist/Republicans, even if it hasn’t been organised by the parties themselves. If you take F&ST;as an example, it’s often forgotten that the SDLP polled nearly 8,000 votes at the last Westminster election, and that the combined SDLP/SF vote was nearly 3,000 votes ahead of the total Unionist vote. If there were a single Unionist candidate then that SDLP vote (even if they stood), would naturally drain away to SF as the Nationalist/Republican family came together to ensure the seat is held for them.
South Belfast could show similar tendencies to the above i.e. if there is a single agreed Unionist candidate, then e.g. a large chunk of the Alliance/Soft Unionist vote could drift to the SDLP, or stay at home. Re. S. Belfast, I admit it’s crucial who the combined Unionist candidate is, and if it’s the ‘right’ agreed candidate then this could make a huge difference.
In electoral terms, F&ST;is completely different to S. Belfast.
In any case, I would suggest that with the Tory-UUP link-up the possibility of agreed candidates between the DUP and this new entity is highly unlikely.
any word from Sylvia on this matter? I have heard a rumour that the ND brigade and already thinking of her replacement, someone who will be Tory compatible.