South Belfast Orange and Black call for agreement
Saw this over on Devenport Diaries.
In a nut shell the Leaders of the Orange Order and the Black Preceptory in South Belfast have called on Sir Reg Empey to apply the Fermanagh South Tyrone model to South Belfast.
Mark says:
“The loyal orders went so far as to say that “we feel so strongly about this issue that we will direct our members and friends not to support any party that indicates they are not prepared to stand aside for an independent non-party candidate in South Belfast.”.”
He adds:
“If he says no he risks the possibility of Orange Order voters boycotting Paula Bradshaw.”
The letter seems not to be in the public domain but in the hands of Mark Devenport.
Amen to what GavBelfast said.
This South Belfast unionist voter will NOT be voting for any communalist ‘unity’ candidate.
I will vote Conservative and Unionist if given the chance – if not, then I’m not going to be coralled into tribalism by some marching fools.
South Belfast is a different case to Fermanagh & South Tyrone anyway.
fun to watch the UUP dance to the tune of the orange order.
Harry,
Not sure where to find statement… If its not true then I’m sure we will know soon?
dont forget we will see the leglislation for parades in the next few days, the OO know whats going ot be in it and are happy.
Then we will see the UUP reject it as it is part of the Hillsborough deal.
South Belfast is a different case to Fermanagh & South Tyrone anyway.
It’s exactly the same case. “Let’s club together to keep the taigs out”.
Paula Bradshaw has made this statement today in relation to this story:
“Conservatives and Unionists candidate for South Belfast, Paula Bradshaw, has stated that she has always been ready to support an agreed candidate in South Belfast, but such a candidate must be able to demonstrate the same cross-community credentials and record of service to the community as demonstrated by the agreed candidate in Fermanagh/South Tyrone.
Paula Bradshaw: “The Conservatives and Unionists project is about a much more inclusive form of Unionism, not aligned with any particular community background, but rather open to anyone who feels Northern Ireland should have a full role in UK affairs. It is about ending our semi-detached status from the UK mainstream on behalf of everyone in Northern Ireland, so that we can all have full-time MPs giving us a voice on issues such as taxation, defence and welfare provision.
“I have always said that I would stand aside for an agreed candidate if asked to do so by my Party Leader, but this would only apply if such a candidate were able to demonstrate the same cross-community credentials, record of service to the local community and ability to work with all parties as demonstrated by Rodney Connor in Fermanagh and South Tyrone.
“Despite the DUP’s obsession with ‘Unionist Unity’, it has been raised with me only in letters and emails which can clearly be traced back to the DUP itself. On the doorsteps, people want to know what I am going to do about jobs, pensions and education. Those are the real issues of concern to people, and the real issues upon which this election should be fought.
“It was precisely on this basis that I put my own name forward for selection in South Belfast. I stand in this election on my record, working with the community locally, delivering on the issues which matter to them, and promoting good relations at every turn.
“It is because of this, I feel, that I have received widespread support for my campaign not just from both the parties which endorsed me as their candidate, but from many people who are non-aligned politically. It was because I would be able to attract such support that, I believe, I was selected in the first place, and it is clear from the response we have received that we can win the seat no matter what other parties decide to do.”
ENDS”
See her campaign facebook page.
Some people have referred to it.
so anybody seen these statements from Ms Bradshaw supporting an agreed candidate?
Harry, why do you sign your name as “Harry J” when your email address shows your name as Neil Cormick ?
I do have middle names you know
If OO maintains that it is a non-political organisation then surely it would not want to interfere with the political views of its members?
Imagine if the GAA asked its members to vote SF?
oh dear the UUPs are beginning to squeal now, wonder if ms bradshaw will wrap herself in the Union Flag.
at least paula and Ian will have lots of time to spend together after they lose the election
Comrade Stalin
“It’s exactly the same case. “Let’s club together to keep the taigs out”. ”
In my mind it’s possible to separate the two of them. FST has an abstentionist MP who celebrates a mass murder campaign.
I don’t see the big need to club together to keep Alastair McDonell out and I won’t be led by the nose into putting an X beside a communalist candidate in my constituency.
I’m quite politically minded and a convinced unionist, but that could well be off to the infamous “garden centre” for me…
so, 18 constituencies and looks like only 16 Tories standing….what ever happened to that tory promise that every one in the UK would be able to vote for the Conservatives?
Lies Lies and More Lies
“I have always said that I would stand aside for an agreed candidate if asked to do so by my Party Leader,”
where and when ? i havent heard it before
The DUP are clearly winning the debate on Unionist Unity candidates.
This is hilarious.
The whole UU/Con pact was being hailed as giving the UU a shot in the arm and turning around its fortunes and now, less than a month before the 2nd election of this tie up and their is already talk of them not only reneging on their promise of post-sectarian politics but also the UU facing annihilation and possibly becoming part of the DUP.
I hope this isn’t a sign of things to come with Cameron and his problem solving abilities
Just thinking about ‘independent’ candidates. If Rodney Connor were to be elected then how would any party discipline him if he were to stray ‘off message’.
he couldnt go much further of message than sylvia, and we put up with her for years, so cant see it being that big an issue,
It would though be an embarrassment to those who brokered the deal?
“Imagine if the GAA asked its members to vote SF?”
As a Prod and unionist I can happily say that the GAA isn’t run by total numpties
“their is already talk ”
Ah Kevin but it deepens who is talking. The only talking I see here is from those having a Jimmy Spratt Wet Dream and rather desperate republicans trying to cling to hope.
Paula will run. Paula will win.
” we will direct our members and friends not to support any party ”
Who do they think they are – the Vatican ?
The kind of protestantism I was brought up on would not be taking orders from anyone on who to vote for.
They can get lost – I am fed up with the Orange Institutions’ meddling in unionist politics – they are over reaching themselves
Alan
He has said he is taking the Conservative whip. If he defaults its withdrawn. That’s exactly the same as for any MP even if they run as full party members they are elected by the people as individuals,.
Cyncic where are paula statements that she had “always” said “I would stand aside for an agreed candidate if asked to do so by my Party Leader,”
i cant find any.
Ask her. I don’t speak for her and am not a Conservative party member …. yet ….just a supporter
I hope she does run Cynic2, and by talk, of course I mean the ever dependable media and chattering classes (you and me).
I am not a fan of the Tories, however, I do believe in a diversity of choice and all of this talk of unity is a retrograde step in trying to normalise NI
can I just remind people that this wasnt from “the Orange Institution” but just a few locals on the Sandy Row, and my suspicion would still be that they are DUP friendly and are using it as a cover to attack the UUP. I dont think it carrys a whole lot of should be taken seriously, and just one more thing, most Orangemen I know would not take well to being told who to vote for, it would be more likely to be counter-productive, if given any though at all, I think the letter has got more discussion on here than it will ever get in Lodge rooms or part office in South Belfast or elsewhere.
Connor said he is taking the Conservative whip BUT reserved the right to vote primarily in the interest of people in FST. That is a big BUT
He has said he is taking the Conservative whip. If he defaults its withdrawn
… except on matters relating to northern ireland
Kevin Barry,
well put.
Harry J
“You cant be in a trade union and be against that trade union at the same time.”
Of course you can. Lots of people are in trade unions because they provide concrete benefits or because everyone else at work is a member, but do not personally think a lot of their union or its leadership, and may even disagree with the concept of trade unions.
Similarly, people do not have to owe slavish allegiance to a state. They only have to comply with its laws. If it is a half decent state, over time an attachment may grow, but modern states do not expel or persecute those who do not give the state love and affection.
Unionists are politically suicidal. By attempting to confine full membership of the state to a static or declining religious group, they have closed recruitment to their cause and must fail.
Their only crime was stupidity.
oh dear, so many upset nationalists.
ah well they can go to their United Unionist MP in a few weeks when they need something
roll on may 6th
I am not a fan of the Tories, however, I do believe in a diversity of choice and all of this talk of unity is a retrograde step in trying to normalise NI
It should now be clear that the UUP were never serious about promoting diversity or ending tribal politics, and the entire UCUNF thing was merely a ruse in aid of getting access to Ashcroft’s cash.
The other point to note here is that both of these two UCUNF cave-ins are pretty much entirely a result of DUP pressure. The DUP identified a weakness, focussed on it, and Sir Reg the Weak has swallowed the bait. The DUP score two victories; one, eliminating the possibility of any UCUNF gains in these two seats; two, humiliating both Sir Reg and David Cameron by making them look silly over their claims about standing in two seats; and three, saying that the return of FST and SB to Unionism came about as a result of their proposals for unionist unity which they forced the UUP to accept. It looks to me as if the DUP knew the UUP better than they knew themselves, which isn’t surprising considering how many of the DUP are ex-UUP. It all adds up to another DUP strategic masterstroke, I’m afraid.
That’s three weaknesses. Yes folks, I can’t count.
can I just remind people that this wasnt from “the Orange Institution” but just a few locals on the Sandy Row, and my suspicion would still be that they are DUP friendly
I wonder if it’s the same lots as discuss unionist unity with Cllr Stalford in this video from the DUP channel.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqChukf1qJY
Agreed Comrade Stalin, UU are particularly weak in light of all of the DUP’s problems, they still couldn’t make any hay
Mike:
In my mind it’s possible to separate the two of them. FST has an abstentionist MP who celebrates a mass murder campaign.
It wouldn’t matter. If FST had an SDLP MP the unionists would still be doing this, just as they are in SB. It’s nothing to do with SF’s abstention or history, it’s about keeping the taigs out.
Are the UUP saying they have more in common with the DUP (who they are busy attacking in Stormont for cutting them out of the action) than the SDLP (whose nomination for justice minister they are “supporting”) ?
Taking the whip is immaterial. It is just a letter in the post telling you how to vote in the week ahead.
The SDLP take the Labour whip and takes no notice of it, being semi-abstentionist.
Being part of the parliamentary party is where it is at.
By the way has anyone checked big Al’s ‘pro-gay voting record’ at Westminster?
There’s no point in complaining about how the DUP have orchestrated this problem. The fact is that they set a trap and the UUP have fallen into it.
I have it on verey good authority that there will not be a Unionist Unity candidate in South Belfast unless the DUP pull S pratt and let Bradshaw run as a C&U.
The DUP are pulling every dirty trick they know, and they are still failing.
Peter Robinson should NOW step aside and give Ulster’s Unionist party the chance to regain the ground he has lost.
I would rather vote for a Tory than vote for my own party under the leadership of Robinson. This is the biggest mistake that Dr. Paisley ever made.
Alan, you mentioned earleir that there are some UUP members in F&ST; not happy with supporting the independant candidate, first i’ve heard of it, but have heard many who delighted with the outcome, the deal was very much a grassroots idea.
Stalin, maybe over time the UUP and SDLP will develop more common ground, but ATM on the ground they are still closer to the DUP, and are chasing the same voters, as for Alliance, they are starting to look more like SDLP Lite these days, jumping onto the “sectarian accusation” bandwagon in F&ST;, a part of the country where they barely exist and have to ship in a candidate from Belfast, does Mrs Kamble have any connection with the area at all?
Looks like a continuation of the dirty tricks campaign by DUP, UCUNF will be fools to fall into it but then they have shown zero sign of media skills that I have noticed so far so I don’t hold much hope. FST has really shaken my trust in them, but they just about have my vote still. Any nonsense in SB and they’ll lose it.
Garza
“Basically the OO is blackmailing the UUP. Who the f**k are these people?”
They’re actually, to a large extent, the SAME people.
Spooky, eh? It’s like the twist in Fight Club.
On a different note did anyone hear a bomb go off about 15 mins ago?? I live in Carrick area.
Garza
I dont knoe, they were talking about it on another thread, which was promptly shut down. Hope not.
Pip
Suppose it would make sense. P&J gets devolved tomorrow. Hope no one is hurt
Garza
I really hope not. You can see what info was on slugger on the thread regarding the white lines and Eirigi, but it was closed to comments so not very much.
Yes, one wonders why that thread was closed with such haste.
Explosion at Palace Barracks reported by BBC UTV Sky. Was on reported on Twitter about an hour previously.