Photosales
niJobfinder
niCarfinder
Home Delivery
Propertynews
Northern Ireland politicians set for fierce election battle
Wednesday, 7 April 2010
Northern Ireland politicians face one of the fiercest battles for years ahead of the General Election on May 6.
Eighteen seats at Westminster are up for grabs in Northern Ireland.
Former Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader the Rev Ian Paisley is stepping down from his heartland in North Antrim and Traditional Unionist Jim Allister will pose a serious challenge.
DUP First Minister Peter Robinson has faced personal problems in recent weeks after the infidelity and attempted suicide of his wife Iris and revelations about the couple's dealings with developers.
Today he said: "This election presents the Northern Ireland electorate with the greatest opportunity in a generation.
"Every vote in the House of Commons will count. Therefore we need to send MPs to Westminster who will always vote in the interests of Northern Ireland."
Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams has confronted his own troubles about his brother Liam's alleged history of sex abuse, while he has faced questions over his alleged past knowledge of IRA killings.
Today he said: "Coming after the successful conclusion of the negotiations at Hillsborough and the transfer of powers on policing and justice, this election will provide an opportunity for people to recommit their support for the peace process and for the process of change, which we have been central to driving forward."
Despite well documented problems, Sir Reg Empey hopes the alliance of his Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) with the Conservatives will bear fruit. The link-up has created dissension within the ranks, with Antrim councillor Adrian Watson threatening to quit the party after his candidature for Westminster was allegedly vetoed by the Tories.
Popular North Down MP Lady Sylvia Hermon will stand as an independent after resigning from the UUP over its Conservative ties.
Sir Reg and Conservative leader David Cameron said: "In Northern Ireland we are offering people a clear choice.
"Five more years of the same, tired old politics in Northern Ireland or a change of direction to a new optimism with the Conservatives and Unionists.
"Five more years of Northern Ireland stuck on the margins of UK politics with the local parties or back into the mainstream of UK politics with a Conservative and Unionist Government."
But Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) leader Mr Allister said: "With the Ulster Unionists in a failed marriage with the Tories and unable to present cogent opposition to terrorist-inclusive government, TUV, I believe, will be the obvious and compelling choice for many traditional unionists of all shades," he said.
Nationalist SDLP leader Margaret Ritchie faces a challenge as she bids to become MP in South Down.
While Alliance leader David Ford said the election offered the best chance in a generation to place a "non-tribal" voice for Northern Ireland in Westminster.
He said: "Alliance is relishing the forthcoming election and we know that people want to vote for a positive and constructive party, instead of other parties who simply want to cause trouble."
Ms Ritchie said: "We have innovative policies which we know can make the life of hard-working families better.
"And in every case our ability to make a difference, to deliver for the people, to make life better, will be constrained by decisions made in Westminster.
"We intend to have a direct input into those decisions."
- Text Size
34%
26%
mainland unionist ,,you are to much involved getting too excited,,back to basics theses people who are looking for your vote will come to your door smile broadly ,say its nice to see you,shake your hand ,,sorry press the flesh (always get that part wrong ) tell you they are going fight tooth and nail to right all your problems then when they get elected ,,,stuff you ,, one thing i have learned about politicians they can talk all day and say nothing ,,then when then do something wrong they refuse to resign on principle something they never had in the first place ,,when do we know when a politician is lying ,,his mouth moves
Posted by hg | 07.04.10, 20:32 GMT
I will vote for sure - for pro academic selection parties only!
Posted by Catholic mother | 07.04.10, 20:22 GMT
We do not have a good lot up there in Stormont, but if any Unionist where to not vote or indeed destoy their vote, they would only be playing into the hand of Republicanism. So please all you who want to keep the union think wisely.
Posted by J D | 07.04.10, 19:25 GMT
RE: Robert. Although I do agree with your stance, not voting is the wrong way to go about it. We need a party who will make a complete overhaul of the system for the benefit of the people. No party at the minute are prepaired to do that because they will lose the vote of the rich and the middle class. Working class people and those in poverty are the same people who don't tend to vote as they don't think they will make a difference, although they are in the majority. There are some smaller parties out there who are prepaired to do it, but as they have little finance they can only run in certain constituencies, so we need to get them in before any major changes can happen.
Posted by Pete | 07.04.10, 16:55 GMT
Everyone should vote regardless of what they think-to remember we are lucky we are in a reasonably democratic society where we have that right.As a female I remember all the women who died for my vote so try to make an effort, even though they are all a bunch of numpties:)
Posted by lisa | 07.04.10, 16:52 GMT
Don't give in to the reactionaries of the TUV and the Republican dissidents, get out and vote! As for Fermanagh/ South Throne, the SDLP should withdraw from there and Sinn Fein should withdraw from South Belfast.
Both of them have no chance of winning these seats, leaving them open for nationalists, and if unionism does have an electoral pact why shouldn't nationalism? Go to it and build up the vote.
Posted by Patrick | 07.04.10, 16:45 GMT
A real chance to hold the balance of power! Yet the two main Unionist parties cannot come to an agreement over a deal that would give Unionism 2 extra seats! This deal the UUP have with the Tories, really is the tail wagging the dog, look how many votes the stand alone Tories got in 2005, compared with the UUP. Yet the Tories ,or should that be the bank rollers, will not allow a Unionist pact. As for Lord Ken Maginnis, he was only in favour of a sole Unionist candidate standing in the constituency ,when he was the candidate!
Posted by Mainland Unionist | 07.04.10, 15:44 GMT
i agree with everyone..Don't Vote unless you want to continue distroying your life & your family. When we get people to run the country who care more about society than themslves then we'll vote. But continually being told, We will make a difference is nothing more than a lie. There is no one running with any social responsibility.
Posted by Robert | 07.04.10, 15:31 GMT
I agree with hg, this is our chance to really show them what we think of them and their lies and greed and I intend on doing just that when they come crawling to my door!
Posted by J Arbuthnot | 07.04.10, 15:07 GMT
this election is a chance to get rid of the double jobbers and those who claimed expenses for bin bags tables food the list is endless thats what i will do i have had part of my pension frooze thats what none have cared about or the jobs that are being lost
Posted by norman.d | 07.04.10, 12:58 GMT
we have all sent emails condemning the politicians for their greed and abuse of the public purse ,,now is the time to show them what we think of them ,,destroy your vote ,,or was it all hot air this is one of the few times when they will come to your door ,,tell them what you think of them
Posted by hg | 07.04.10, 07:48 GMT