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Shock as leading UUP man resigns over link-up with Conservatives

Wednesday, 31 March 2010

Ulster Unionist Alan McFarland has quit over the party's Tory link

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The Ulster Unionist link-up with the Conservative Party was further damaged last night as one of the party’s most senior figures quit over the electoral pact.

MLA Alan McFarland, who formerly ran for the leadership of the party, resigned because he said the alliance was detrimental to unionist interests in Northern Ireland.

In another blow to the UUP it has also emerged that Mayor of Antrim Adrian Watson has been vetoed as the party’s candidate for the general election in South Antrim.

A meeting of party officers yesterday blocked Watson, who had been the UUP nomination for the seat, after opposition from their Tory partners.

Mr McFarland’s resignation comes just days after the North Down MP Lady Sylvia Hermon left the party, saying she would run as an Independent in the general election. He is understood to favour Lady Sylvia Hermon for the Westminster race.

In a statement, Mr McFarland said he would now sit as an independent member of the Assembly.

“With the recent confirmation of candidates, including the imposition of a Conservative candidate in my own North Down constituency, it is clear that the party is determined to continue down the Conservative road. I do not wish to join them,” he said.

“I am sorry to leave a party that contains many good friends and greatly regret that events have developed in the way they have.”

Meanwhile, the UUP is left without a candidate in South Antrim for the looming general election after Adrian Watson’s nomination was blocked.

At a meeting of party officers yesterday it was agreed that Mr Watson will not take on the DUP’s Willie McCrea at the election.

It is understood that Watson was opposed by the UUP’s electoral partners the Conservative Party, who believed his publicly-expressed views on a range of issues, including homosexuality and Travellers, were unacceptable.

The General Election pact between the UUP and the Tories means candidates must be ratified by a joint inter-party committee.

UUP South Antrim Association chairman John Scott said: “We had a meeting and as yet there is no candidate. The candidate will be an Ulster Unionist but it will not be Adrian Watson.

“There is a joint committee between the UUP and the Conservatives and the two names which had been put forward were withdrawn. We are essentially back to square one.”

Comments made by Mr Watson in 2006, suggesting gay couples would not be welcome in his family’s bed and breakfast, helped scupper his hopes of Tory approval.

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37 Comments

A person who regales his own culture and heritage as Oirish? Your comment really says more for you than anything I could say.
Incidentally, it is lucky that the EU does not regard Latin as one of it's official languages. Think of the embarassment of having a dead language as an official one.
Would you like to spell check this comment as well? Unfortunately I am not looking for a proofreader at the minute but if you send me a C.V. I may consider you once a position becomes available.

Posted by Ulysses32 | 07.04.10, 10:35 GMT

Sorry Uly32, but chris mooney says nothing at all about the stereotypical Englishman. So, for the third time, do you have issues with English people? Is there a wee touch of racism lurking in there?

And do I really have to embrace all the oirish tat to be Irish? I'm sure that republicans wouldn't subscribe to that attitude as they repeatedly tell us that they want an Ireland that accommodates all traditions.

You ask what I possess that allows me to describe myself as Irish. I was born on this island. If that's not enough for you I'll just have to live with it. It is not in your gift to define my identity.

By the way - I made no mention of the Irish language. But since you've brought it up, I respect anyone's right to use it, but Latin is my dead language of choice.

If you're going to describe someone as bigoted at least spell it correctly. One "t", like in cretin.

Posted by perry | 02.04.10, 18:35 GMT

Actually, Perry, what I am accusing you of having the same mindset as the stereotypical englishman that Chris mentions.
What is the problem with Aran sweaters, tin whistles, traditional music, GAA sports, the Ireland world cup song from 1990, "craic," Irish language, Irish music, etc....?
Seriously, you have a major problem with all things inherently Irish so I fail to see what you do possess that could afford you to make out that you are Irish.
Incidentally, self-serving bigotted remarks like yours always deserve a retort.

Posted by Ulysses32 | 02.04.10, 10:20 GMT

I will no longer vote Ulster Unionist because Adrian Watson has been sidelined and a politically correct Ulster Unionist is the preferred choice. Such is a disgrace and an insult particularly to Christians who live in the constituency such as myself. I will be voting TUV.

Posted by Cromwellian | 01.04.10, 22:05 GMT

Posted by Cromwellian | 01.04.10, 22:04 GMT

U32 - are you implying that if I were English I would have no right to question chris mooney's ludicrous remark? Do tell.

You appear to equate any criticism with bigotry. But then it does give you the opportunity to lapse into self-pitying victimhood and that's a good place to be, isn't it.

And because I find the celtic shirted knuckle-draggers repulsive I must be an Orangeman and rangers fan? You'll have to help me with that one too.

I'm as Irish as you (assuming you were born on this island). But that doesn't mean I'm not free to mock the "oirish", "bhoys", "ole ole ole", "craic", aran sweatered, tin whistle playing stereotypes.

You're a very bitter person Mr Ulysses32.

Posted by perry | 01.04.10, 19:22 GMT

in some unionist quarters they are resistant to change . we should get the unionist family together united in partnership or merge with the conservative party only then the union would be even more secure and a strong voice heard in parliament.
the only reason of all this defections or spitting the dummy or resignations is becuase of loss of power or they wouldnt be able to self serve themselves as much.
people have to move to the moderate parties.
I agree with democrat though.
they arnt saying too much against SF becuase they have business interests that need protected and SF knows about it..come on guys think of your manager.

Posted by ryan | 01.04.10, 17:39 GMT

Wel, Adrian Watson plainly had to go. How can any self-respecting party have a neanderthal like that in its ranks representing it at any level in this day and age? The UUP needs to drag itself out of the dark ages (so do the DUP, but maybe that's too much to ask).

On a wider note, Reg Empey should go. He's a failed excuse for a leader of a modern party. And voting against Policing and Justice?! What was that all about? The UUP should quit the illusion and stop selling it to themselves that all will be fine and dandy once in bed with the Tories. At the end of the day, the UUP need the Tories far more than the Tories need them and that will become apparent.

Posted by Obvious | 01.04.10, 16:10 GMT

With the support of De Valera (who realized that fighting Hitler had more to do with maintaining an ill gotten Empire from a rising Germany than anything else) NI refused to have conscription during WW2. So much for "loyal Ulster"

Winston Churchill offered NI to De Valera on a plate if the Republic entered the war on the allied side. So much for loyalism from the British.

Perry - don't criticize what you don't understand, thereby illustrating your ignorance.
There are none so blind.....

Pathetic.

Posted by Fair Play | 01.04.10, 11:38 GMT

Ah, now Perry. My comment was in direct relation to your commenting on the words of Chris.
Incidentally, it would appear that your attack was directed at catholics in particular. Clerical paedophilia? I wasn't aware that paedophilia was restricted to a particular faith never mind a particular country.
But hey, why let idiot insinuations get in the way of a bigotted rant, eh.
I'm sure marching up and down the road on the 12th with a Rangers number 6 shirt on your back would be more to your taste.

Posted by Ulysses32 | 01.04.10, 10:39 GMT

Yes, Perry, thanks for recalling our contribution to defeating fascism. I presume you meant in getting the British Empire kicked out of most of Ireland (thus setting an example the rest of the Empire followed within half a century) and later in stopping Orange fascists marching at will through nationalist areas? Or were you referring to WWII in which eleven Irishman from the south and one Northern Catholic won VCs, while the loyal northern bretheren won - oh, that's right - none.

Posted by Tony Newlove | 01.04.10, 07:15 GMT

Perry
Yes indeed the list COULD go on and on, but why would I bother ? Jealousy will get you nowhere lad.

There will be no further "answers", from me. Your mind is obviously made up, so why should I confuse you with the facts ?

Slan leat.

Posted by Observer 2 | 31.03.10, 22:34 GMT

Good for him. The tories are the enemies of working class and lower middle class people. Vote UUP and you get tory cuts to jobs and services. I am a nationalist and will be voting for the party that will defeat the UUP/Tories in my area.

Posted by Terence | 31.03.10, 20:41 GMT

U32 - no, born in Northern Ireland. But would it matter if I were English? A counter question - are you xenophobic?

Observer 2 - you forgot the many Presidents of the US who once saw a Guinness ad (including, apparently, Barack Obama). You also forgot the contribution made by the Irish state (distinct from the brave Irish men, north and south) in defeating fascism in the last century ... or am I mistaken?

And stop shouting man (or woman), we all know you're wild and free and cool and full of it. But go on, answer me, you know you want to.

Posted by perry | 31.03.10, 18:37 GMT

this guy just wants to keep his powerbase in his area. the way forward is to have the mainstream parties in northern ireland and so that both sides of the divide can vote for the values of socialism or conservatisim within the uk.
unionist and nationalist parties are sectarian parties. catholic or protestant.
people move to the core values that you want.
the only reason that current MPs or MLA is that they dont want to lose power and agree to conservatives party rules which is probably more strict and fair.

Posted by Ryan | 31.03.10, 17:53 GMT

Perry, I think you are getting the wrong impression of Mr Mooney. He, like all of our nationalist neigbours and fellow "Irishmen" are completely welcoming of unionists and their cultural identity in this four green field utopia!

Posted by North Down | 31.03.10, 13:33 GMT

The sooner we get the general election over and have no Conservative and Unionist candidates elected the sooner the UUP will get rid of the disasterous leadership of Reg Empy.

Posted by Paul | 31.03.10, 13:09 GMT

Well said Amy,
Perhaps Peter 'The Punt' can do a deal with his mates the Shinners and do away with D'Hondt altougher and democracy for that matter and just give the jobs out as he and Marty see fit (Which is what happens at the moment)

Posted by Neil | 31.03.10, 12:49 GMT

Perry asks :
Anything else ?
How about (1) An unconquered and FREE spirit in spite of hundreds of years of occupation by a ruthless neighbour (2) Admiration and RESPECT globally (3) A contribution to Western civilization and development WAY beyond our size in the fields of eg education, cutting edge technology, medicine, the arts, aid to 3rd world, UN peace keeping missions, many high profile CEOs etc globally (eg BA, Qantas, major financial institutions etc). Many not exclusively Irish admittedly, but collectively they give us our sense of pride and DIGNITY (look that one up) in who we are.
A puppet to no one.

Posted by Observer 2 | 31.03.10, 12:48 GMT