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UUP loses its only MP as Hermon goes solo

Wednesday, 24 February 2010

The UUP's electoral link-up with the Tories has cost the party its sole MP — before the General Election campaign has even started.

It was confirmed last night that Lady Sylvia Hermon is not seeking the joint Conservative-Ulster Unionist nomination in her north Down constituency.

The decision came as no surprise and leaves open a widely-expected bid by the MP to retain the seat on an independent ticket.

Lady Hermon had repeatedly made it clear that she was unhappy with the Tory electoral pact.

Yesterday was the official nomination deadline for UUP General Election candidates.

In a brief joint statement, party leader Sir Reg Empey and chairman David Campbell said:

“We have today been advised by Lady Hermon, Ulster Unionist MP for North Down, that she will not be seeking nomination as a Conservative and Unionist candidate at the forthcoming Parliamentary election.”

“We wish to record our regret at her decision, but also our sincere appreciation for her exemplary service to her constituents in North Down, our party and the wider community, since her election as Ulster Unionist MP in 2001.”

The UUP has selected 17 candidates for all constituencies, bar north Down. But Tory Party alternatives have also been put forward, and a joint high-level meeting is pending to name a final agreed list.

The North Down nomination is tipped to go to local councillor Ian Parsley, who defected to the Conservatives last year, after contesting the European election for the Alliance Party.

The UUP's 17 runners include former TV presenter Mike Nesbitt for Strangford, the seat vacant following the resignation of scandal-hit DUP MP, Iris Robinson.

Ex-rugby international Trevor Ringland is the Ulster Unionist choice for East Belfast, which has been held by Mrs Robinson's husband Peter since 1979.

The UUP choice for South Antrim – held by the DUP's Rev William McCrea – is Antrim councillor Adrian Watson. He has been criticised for comments in 2006, about how he would feel “uncomfortable” about having gay couples staying in his bed and breakfast.

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23 Comments

sorry harry you are wrong, as a member of the uup i was never consulted at anytime, because the people on the executive never came back and told the members at branch level what was agreed. also as a card member i did not get a vote on the new conservative ulster unionist new force.democracy WHAT? the british will always sell us out!! you may either win your peace or buy it, win it by resistance to evil or buy it by compromise with evil, the british government have opted to buy it {john ruskin} a

Posted by james | 16.03.10, 23:38 GMT

Lady Hermon may be a reasonable MP but she has duped the North Down electorate as she has really been a Labourite all along. Now her covers blown let her come out as NEW Labour and take on the Conservatives/UUP. When the electorate see how they've been fooled we'll see how she does.

Posted by Kerry | 25.02.10, 19:02 GMT

Canute: The Tories turned the UK into a drug and alcohol related society by Thatchers actions against the working class! Where has all the shipyards gone? Where has all the mine workers gone? Tell the victims of the Tories and the Unionist cronies who supported them against the miners and all the families affected till this present day! My father worked in the shipyard!

Posted by Don King | 25.02.10, 14:10 GMT

We need more choices, more parties, not less. Do we want a two party system where we can hardly tell the difference between one set of self-serving greedy lazy people and another?

Posted by Don Anderson | 25.02.10, 00:31 GMT

Lady Hermon is an outstanding, exemplary MP and represents the people of her constituency without partiality. She has been of help to me personally on a number of occassions and her word is her bond. I hope that she stands again for election and I would have no doubt that the people of this area will fully support her.

Posted by Supporter | 24.02.10, 23:38 GMT

"They (The Tories) modernised the factories/Unions.." What planet were you on man? The Tories decimated the UK Industrial base, and was at war with the working class. Have ordinary Ulster Unionists totally lost their minds with this poisonous pact?
They are simply using NI Constituencies in the event of a hung Parliament. What do you think you will recieve in return? A return to all out Direct Rule?

Posted by chris | 24.02.10, 20:57 GMT

Having voted for Sylvia Hermon in the past, I am disappointed at her stance regarding the Unionist and Conservative link ... In my youth, they were called the Conservative and Unionist Party. I shall be voting for whoever stands for them in Mrs Hermon's place ... I am keen to defeat the Labour Party which has almost destroyed the country with its policies.

Posted by Canute | 24.02.10, 18:53 GMT

Mr Cameron has said that if he wins the election, then that will be the end to "double jobbing". No ifs, buts or maybes". That will do for me. I am voting Conserative. No more "Sammy 4 jobs" I can't wait.

Posted by Trevor | 24.02.10, 18:04 GMT

If you're a progressive and want genuine UK wide politics,it might be better to vote for Labour, Tory etc than the parochial local parties like the UUP/DUP who are mired in the past. The UUP is as good as a busted flush. See what happens after the elections.

Posted by Angloman | 24.02.10, 16:46 GMT

James. Your sweeping statements are really helpful. And what would be the "something else" we all need ? Are you standing for office ?

Posted by Yip | 24.02.10, 16:33 GMT

A piece of advice for anyone thinking of standing against Lady Hermon - don't give up your day job.

Lady Hermon has the respect of an enormous number of people in North Down. Surely there can't be many MPs or MLAs we could say that about!

Posted by Pat | 24.02.10, 16:22 GMT

Norman D you obviously don't appreciate that this is one of the few cases when an NI politician wins votes through constituency politics and not tribal ones. Yes, she is a unionist but a pragmatic one. I believe the voters of North Down have shown their moderation in views and willingness to move beyond the trenches in voting for Ms Hermon.

As for Yip, the UK government should not be pro-union?! Their is no logical reason for taking a neutral view to a region of your own geographical entity, apart from benefitting the nationalist cause. The ROI's government enter into negotiations with a clearly anti-Union stance. Impartiality=joint rule if you ask me.

Posted by North Down | 24.02.10, 15:40 GMT

Yip, would you have a problem if Fianna Fail organised in Northern Ireland? What about their partiality?

We are coming to a stage were we don't need London and Dublin to mediate anymore, which frees them up to compete here.

We deserve normal politics, not politics based on green or orange. The conservatives competing here is the first step.

Lady Hermon, please run for Labour!

Posted by Garza | 24.02.10, 15:40 GMT

Lady Hermon is quite right in my view. And the Tory party have damaged their credibility irrevocably in my eyes, just when I was thinking it was time to get rid of Labour. Come on the Lib Dems!

Posted by Tony Newlove | 24.02.10, 13:54 GMT

Ulster Woman - how the heck did you get the Tories wrecked the UK? They modernised the factories, unions and country - through hard to make decisions.. sure it wasn't perfect but...

Labour on the other hand have subjected us to an experiment in "multi-cultural" mass-immigration, political correctness gone mad and a debt mountain..

We need neither Labour or Tories to win, we need something else..

Posted by James | 24.02.10, 13:48 GMT

The Tories linking up with the UUP bodes ill for any future Tory government's impartiality in matters relating to Northern Ireland.
Before they even enter negotiations, they have to declare an interest. That's not good for democracy here.

Posted by Yip | 24.02.10, 13:23 GMT

lady hermon will be voted back in because she comes from the area not what she has done or has not done thats how people vote here they cant see beyond their noses they are entrenched in their same old trenches thats why we have a government that does not work

Posted by norman.d | 24.02.10, 13:11 GMT

Ulster people should embrace the Labour party! The Tories wrecked the UK with Thatcher wiping out the mines the steel works and all the UK's shipyards. Our Unionist parties always supported the Tories because they are Tories!

Posted by Ulster Woman | 24.02.10, 12:41 GMT

It saddens me to hear of this; although I support the UUP's link-up they have shot themselves in the foot in this case because Lady Hermon's capabilities and the tremendous amount of constituency work she does will surely see her elected in North Down in the absence of a viable alternative.

Lady Hermon is probably the most able politician in Northern Ireland alongside the likes of Arlene Foster and Sammy Wilson (kidding), so this is not exactly ideal for a party (UUP) so lacking in political charisma and character at the moment.

Posted by North Down | 24.02.10, 12:26 GMT

Peter Robinson has held Peter Robinson since 1979!!!! Now, that can't be good democracy! Peter can't be that good an MP, can he? That is definitely odd!

Posted by Barry | 24.02.10, 12:19 GMT