UUP Tory Pact blog round up
Quickly, Cranmer was one of the first big Tory bloggers out of the blocks with the story… though far from being foisted upon the good Conservative burghers of North Down His Grace may find that North Down in my lifetime has never returned anything other than a maverick of left and right… According to private party research, Slugger understands that Lady Hermon is there for about as long as she chooses…
Update: Reader Ann upbraids me for leaving out Iain Dale (who must have posted after I posted this)…- Jonathan Isaby at Conservative Home lauds the energetic role played in making the deal between the two parties of Shadow Secretary of State Owen Paterson who was one of the key players in setting up, processing in virtually unheard of secrecy, and helping to bring it home to the finish… More details here…
- Over at Mark Devenport’s blog, reader Susie has them rolling in the aisles with her suggestion: COUNCIL OF CONSERVATIVE & UNIONIST PARTIES (COC-UP)…
- O’Neill reckons its a very good start…
- Chekov has a neat headline: We’re unionists, let’s start behaving like it…
- David Vance gives it the thumbs up. Given the way he’s been crashing into David Cameron since the latter came to office I’m not quite sure what that means, but the blog counters at Central Office will be pleased with that one…
- Conall is one of the few nationalist to attempt a clear analysis of the pact:
David Cameron’s Conservative Party will not tolerate the sort of policies which the UUP promoted during their earlier relationship in the 20th century. In fairness to the new generation of UUP people, they seem very keen to find a new and relevant voice.
And finally, interesting to note that the honour of rather playfully attacking Reg on his party’s late betrothal passes to relative newcomer Michelle McIlveen… (were all those liable to have a sense of humour half way through ruled out for the job? – ed)
Cameron will be regretting the deal now…McIlveen is after him!
Soon enough Jimmy Spratt will be spitting everywhere, getting redder and redder…
Closely followed by the Great Sage himself Nelson McCausland…
And then, to finish it all off, Iris will arrive, telling the world that the Tories love ‘the gays’ and thou shalt not vote nor support such cretins!
Actually, doubt Cameron will give a toss.
Surprised you didn’t mention Iain Dale Mick, he’s got a pretty good post on it at the top of his blog and has posted on it previously. I’m rather a fan of his…
Is His Grace ‘a big Tory blogger’?
Gosh.
What an honour.
brb
Doubt the vast majority of people in Northern Ireland give a toss about what Cameron or Empey has to say…
Autocue,
If the Tories/UUP announce prospective taxation changes after the next election, be it for tax breaks for married couples or in corporation tax (to name just 2) then me thinks people might just be interested.
Tell me though, what will the DUP offer? More begging bowl sessions with Gordon?? Or perhaps a bit of creationism here, a bit of homophobia there?? Wow, that will get people very excited.
Autocue,
If the Tories/UUP announce prospective taxation changes after the next election, be it for tax breaks for married couples or in corporation tax (to name just 2) then me thinks people might just be interested.
………………………………
And if there were no Torie/UUP alliance do you think that they wouldnt be announced anyway?
This alliance may have some moral value if it results in a end to the notion of unionist deals in certain constitutencies. Broadening unionism’s appeal depends to large degree on not being seen to be trying to achieve deals with the TUV and the DUP. In that respect, the Tory commitment to fighting all constituencies could prove to be a turning point.
Middle Northern Ireland of whatever side now has a home to go to.
There is no doubt that many of those involved in the reluctant move to the DUP on the Unionist side have been horrified at what the DUP has become since the last election a sectarian, creationist, homophobic party who are more interested in power that the people who voted for them.
I think we can expect a professional campaign for the EU election and those that follow that will target those voters, the current ‘unionist’ SDLP voters and those who have not voted for the current parties for many years.
This will present a major problem for the DUP as they are squeezed between the TUV and the Tory/Unionist party. Which way will they move to protect their vote? Hard line to alienate the ex UUP voters and stop the haemorrhaging to the TUV or soft line to do the reverse or is there a third way to be all things to all voters?
Given their past history I know where my money is, but it may not work this time.
“a sectarian, creationist, homophobic party who are more interested in power that the people who voted for them”
The porn people from San Diego, who were interested in Special Branch, in Belfast, that was the time for the DUP to tear into Queers.
Peter Tatchell’s entry to the USA, San Diego, was part of a ‘give them enough rope’ strategy. Because the same porn folks, as per Special Branch, & etc.
The porn people discussing bunging money to Brit cops, here, in Ulster, as a retirement package. There is a lot of money in porn, they like buying cops and politicians.
I am really pleased the penny is dropping. We might have at long last broken the mould and left both sets of single issue Nationalists to dance their macabre unseemly Gavotte. Which is outdated; Surely if it cannot be sorted out over four centuries it wants docking and dumping in the bin of historical irrelevance. We will now move forwards and the voting public will come with us.