Menu
01/04/2010
DUP Steps Aside In North Down
The DUP will not field a candidate in North Down at the forthcoming general election.
Making the announcement yesterday, the party said it had no intentions to pursue the seat, which is currently held by a fellow Unionist.
Incumbent MP, Lady Hermon, last week said she will seek re-election as an Independent candidate, following her resignation from the Ulster Unionist Party in protest at its electoral alliance with the Tories.
"The Democratic Unionist Party has decided to stand aside in the North Down constituency at the forthcoming general election in the interests of Unionist unity," a party spokesman said.
"As a party that is leading the campaign to bring about greater unionist co-operation we are not prepared to oppose a sitting Unionist MP."
The DUP said it will continue to pursue united Unionist candidates in South Belfast and Fermanagh/South Tyrone, where the incumbent MPs are Nationalists.
"We are prepared to reach agreed arrangements with the UUP either through the DUP running in one constituency and the UUP in the other or by agreeing unity candidates that both parties support," said the DUP official.
"We are determined to maximise the number of seats held by Unionists at Westminster so that Northern Ireland members can work together in the best interests of the people of the province," he added.
(PR/GK)
Making the announcement yesterday, the party said it had no intentions to pursue the seat, which is currently held by a fellow Unionist.
Incumbent MP, Lady Hermon, last week said she will seek re-election as an Independent candidate, following her resignation from the Ulster Unionist Party in protest at its electoral alliance with the Tories.
"The Democratic Unionist Party has decided to stand aside in the North Down constituency at the forthcoming general election in the interests of Unionist unity," a party spokesman said.
"As a party that is leading the campaign to bring about greater unionist co-operation we are not prepared to oppose a sitting Unionist MP."
The DUP said it will continue to pursue united Unionist candidates in South Belfast and Fermanagh/South Tyrone, where the incumbent MPs are Nationalists.
"We are prepared to reach agreed arrangements with the UUP either through the DUP running in one constituency and the UUP in the other or by agreeing unity candidates that both parties support," said the DUP official.
"We are determined to maximise the number of seats held by Unionists at Westminster so that Northern Ireland members can work together in the best interests of the people of the province," he added.
(PR/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
28 May 2021
UUP Door Is 'Open' To Disaffected DUP Members
New Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie said the door of his party was 'open' to any disaffected DUP councillors and members who may want to join.
UUP Door Is 'Open' To Disaffected DUP Members
New Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie said the door of his party was 'open' to any disaffected DUP councillors and members who may want to join.
03 January 2007
Former UUP MP dies aged 81
Former Ulster Unionist MP Cecil Walker has died today after suffering a heart attack. The MP for north Belfast between 1983 and 2001, Sir Cecil lost his seat to the DUP's Nigel Dodds. Ulster Unionist Party Leader Sir Reg Empey said: “I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the Walker family at this sad time.
Former UUP MP dies aged 81
Former Ulster Unionist MP Cecil Walker has died today after suffering a heart attack. The MP for north Belfast between 1983 and 2001, Sir Cecil lost his seat to the DUP's Nigel Dodds. Ulster Unionist Party Leader Sir Reg Empey said: “I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the Walker family at this sad time.
15 February 2013
John McCallister Quits UUP
The Ulster Unionist Party’s Basil McCrea and deputy leader John McCallister are to resign. The decisions are in protest at the UUP and DUP’s decision to back a joint candidate for the Mid Ulster by-election on 7 March. The seat has become open following the stepping-down of deputy First Minister, Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness.
John McCallister Quits UUP
The Ulster Unionist Party’s Basil McCrea and deputy leader John McCallister are to resign. The decisions are in protest at the UUP and DUP’s decision to back a joint candidate for the Mid Ulster by-election on 7 March. The seat has become open following the stepping-down of deputy First Minister, Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness.
18 October 2010
UUP Military Cross Politician Mourned
Condolences have been expressed to the family circle of the late Captain Austin Ardill MC, an MP for Carrickfergus in the former Stormont Parliament. East Antrim MLA Ken Robinson was commenting on the sad news and said: "All who met with Austin were immediately struck by his sense of dignity, friendship and acute political awareness.
UUP Military Cross Politician Mourned
Condolences have been expressed to the family circle of the late Captain Austin Ardill MC, an MP for Carrickfergus in the former Stormont Parliament. East Antrim MLA Ken Robinson was commenting on the sad news and said: "All who met with Austin were immediately struck by his sense of dignity, friendship and acute political awareness.
06 January 2004
War of words erupt between Trimble and Donaldson
A war of words erupted today between Ulster Unionist leader, David Trimble and Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson. It follows Mr Donaldson's high profile defection from the Ulster Unionist Party to the Democratic Unionist Party on Monday.
War of words erupt between Trimble and Donaldson
A war of words erupted today between Ulster Unionist leader, David Trimble and Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson. It follows Mr Donaldson's high profile defection from the Ulster Unionist Party to the Democratic Unionist Party on Monday.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
