UUP UUP & Away with the Fairies?

Ian Parsley a recent defector from the Alliance Party to the Ulster Unionist Party has been selected as the Conservative candidate to fight the North Down Seat in the up-coming General Election.

The new Ulster Unionist candidate who failed in his bid with the Alliance Party to obtain a seat in Europe is a surprise choice given the seat is currently held the the only Ulster Unionist MP in the land, Lady Sylvia Hermon. Given that this decision appears to be divisive the question in the mind of some is 'Can a house divided against itself still stand?'

In a country that has never seen the main UK parties succeed at any main election, can the Ulster Unionist Party succeed by abandoning the only MP they have at Westminster, voted in by the people of North Down, who have a great respect for her. The upheaval in the UUP comes after Lady Sylvia Hermon failed to endorse the new electoral pact between the Ulster Unionist Party and the Conservative Party.

The sitting MP will now have to decide whether or not to change her mind about the electoral pact with the Conservatives and submit herself as a candidate, seek a special dispensation from the party leadership allowing her to stand for the UUP outside the pact or walk away from the UUP and stand as an independent.

Editorial

Our advice to Lady Sylvia Herman is simple, people in Northern Ireland have always voted for people they respect, that is why at a time when this country destroyed the Ulster Unionists Mandate at Westminster, she was returned as their only sitting MP. It's true that taking your stand may have a cost, perhaps losing your seat, perhaps having to leave the party which up to now, has commanded your respect and loyalty, but if the party no longer represents your beliefs and principles, perhaps you should invest your trust in the electorate of North Down.

The question we ask ourselves: Is Parsley Good For You? Ian Parsley was a member of the Conservative Party as a student, changed to the Alliance Party and after failing to get elected as an MEP, returned to the Conservative Party pact and despite there being a sitting MP and other possible candidates, managed to obtain nomination, but what are his political beliefs? With the General Election expected in May 2010, its only a matter of time before we know for sure whether the Ulster Unionist Party is UUP UUP and Away With The Fairies' on this issue.
Last Updated: 24th October 2009