Tory Link To Unionists 'Tested'

As a general election begins to look increasingly likely, the much anticipated electoral alliance between the Ulster Unionists and Conservatives is to face its biggest test to date.

The two parties are to begin the process of choosing poll candidates.

Following a strong Conservatives and Unionist performance in the European election - with Jim Nicholson re-elected as a sitting MEP - some within the UUP concede that decisions over who stands in each of the 18 Westminster constituencies are likely to cause friction.

The expected process is also the first time the UUP's selection procedures, radically overhauled by leader Sir Reg Empey to give more control to the party leadership, are tested.

However, it is well known that the Conservatives are keen to field more female and Catholic candidates than the UUP put forward at the last General Election in 2005.

UUP chairman David Campbell and the Conservatives' Chairman in Northern Ireland, Tim Lewis, said that the process to select candidates for the Westminster election was under way.

It said that both parties expected the election to be "almost certainly in the spring".

Meanwhile, the Ulster Unionist Party is already in the news - by calling for a five-year financial testing period before policing and justice powers are devolved to Stormont.

In a newly published document, Putting Things Right, the party calls for the implementation of measures to tackle the economic downturn.

The party questions the ability of Sinn Féin and the DUP to negotiate a financial package to underpin the transfer of policing and justice powers.

It said the potential shortfalls in the financing of these powers should be tested over five years in a programme where powers are rolled out and financial pitfalls are tested.

Only then, the UUP said, should the powers be fully transferred.

(BMcC/KMcA)