Thanks is due to Chekov for the news.
The full list of agreed candidates, in no particular order, are:
Mike Nesbitt - Strangford
Daphne Trimble - Lagan Valley
Sandra Overend - Mid Ulster
Fred Cobain - North Belfast
Ross Hussey - West Tyrone
Bill Manwaring - West Belfast
Trevor Ringland - East Belfast
Harry Hamilton - Upper Bann
Danny Kennedy - Newry and Armagh
John McAllister - South Down
Rodney McCune - East Antrim.
Lesley McAuley - East Londonderry.
Paula Bradshaw - South Belfast
David Harding - Foyle
Irwin Armstrong - North Antrim.
Ian Parsley - North Down
Tom Elliott - Fermanagh and South Tyrone
South Antrim still being discussed apparently, but all in all, a good list.
Paula Bradshaw in South Belfast and Parsley in North Down, in particular, are two (relatively!) young candidates who, if elected, will hopefully signify a new direction in pro-Union politics in Northern Ireland. Tom Elliott isn't young and even his most fervent admirer couldn't claim that his candidature signifies a new direction...but this particular time, that's not the point- Conservatives and Unionist are running in every constituency of the United Kingdom, that's what really matters.
A large majority of that list haven't contested a Westminster election before; unlike other parties contesting this election, if elected none of the Conservatives and Unionists will be part-time MPs, holding down simultaneously other elected positions.
18 comments:
Yes, maintaining your principles so you can finish second or third in SB and FST is a great idea. What we come into politics for.
You talk about "principles" as if it were a dirty word. In a very few times in politics do you get politicians or parties living up, to their word, they shouldn't be castigated for doing so.
I'm a member of the UUP and obviously blog here, so I don't know if that qualifies for me for being "in" politics but if it does, I most certainly didn't come into it to support a Union which relies on grubby pacts and demographics.
I'd like to be on the Harry "Freddie" Hamilton canvas trail; hope he sings all the old favourites. :-)
Has Lady H been de-selected?
Deselected herself a long time ago, unfortunately the party didnt seem to realise until almost the last minute.
think they knew all along...
but its like the old marriage gone bad thing, no-one wants to be the one doing the walking out.
As for Tom, he certainly isnt old! and is fully on board as far as the link up is concerned, he will feel right at home with the Conservative rank and file, remember most of them are still "conservative" by nature as well as by name. He is the right candidate for F&ST, in that he will appeal across the whole unionist spectrum, and maybe even some nationalists who actually want an MP to represent them in London.
Principles isn't a dirty word but it has to be synthesised with pragmatism if you are to achieve anything politically. The difference, respectfully, between you in UCUNF and the DUP is that the latter are prepared to hustle for every vote and to exploit every situation for their own benefit. You would happily turn down the prospect of winning one or both of those seats. That is not a serious approach to politics and if that mindset is practised wider in the UUP then it's easy to see why the party has been in decline for so long.
Anonymous,
He's older than me, so (obviously) he's not young;) Regarding the rest of your comment, hopefully, yes.
Orangeman.
"Principles isn't a dirty word but it has to be synthesised with pragmatism if you are to achieve anything politically."
What's the ultimate target of Unionism? If it's to make sure at the maximum number of people vote pro-Union then "no pacts" is both pragmatic and principled.
Attempting to carve-up seats would not maximise the pro-Union vote and it is that ultimately which will guarantee our place in the United Kingdom.
"The difference, respectfully, between you in UCUNF and the DUP is that the latter are prepared to hustle for every vote and to exploit every situation for their own benefit"
Since the DUP has come to prominence has the total pro-Union % of the electorate voting increased or declined?
He's 46, :) according to wikipedia.
perfect age to become an MP.
Even if Arelene stands he can win it, but it would take alot of other things to fall in place.
Frankly, it's mostly a list of no-hopers. Although I support the C&U project, if I was in Fermanagh I'd vote for Arlene. Terrible list given it's supposed to be a new start. Sir Reg Empty.
>>You talk about "principles" as if it were a dirty word. In a very few times in politics do you get politicians or parties living up, to their word, they shouldn't be castigated for doing so.<<
I think I'm startin to like you Oneil, you may even well be of the standard we accept in the SNP.
>>Principles isn't a dirty word but it has to be synthesised with pragmatism if you are to achieve anything politically.<<
You just don't get it orangeman. This road leads to backhanders and dealing with murder gangs, ach you know that fine well!
Out of interest Oneil what is the breakdown of Cons vs Uupers?
"Terrible list given it's supposed to be a new start."
Who would have been your alternatives?
Tony,
2 Conservatives so far, Parsley and Armstrong
I want the pro-union vote increased as well. But I also want electoral representation of unionism increased as well. You posit an "either-or". I think we should try to do both.
Leaving aside Westminster, nationalists get elected under PR-STV on the nth count because unionists don't transfer their votes to each other. If you are opposed to electoral pacts with the DUP for Westminster, then presumably you're also opposed to maximising the unionist vote via tactical transfers under PR?
Orangeman
I'll take a wild guess and reckon that you would view S. Belfast as a nominally Unionist seat that should be represented by Unionists. Well in that same vein should Nationalists not expect to be represented in Fermanagh S.Tyrone?
Or should Nationalists not have the same expectations as rightous loyal folk for whom democracy rarely passes as a figleaf to unreconstructed beliefs?
"You posit an "either-or". I think we should try to do both."
Strategically I think the increases of the overall Unionist vote should always be the ultimate priority. That's what guarantees our place in the UK.
"If you are opposed to electoral pacts with the DUP for Westminster, then presumably you're also opposed to maximising the unionist vote via tactical transfers under PR?"
The voter should have the last word on who's elected not the party hierarchies via pacts. I can't imagine voting for most of the DUP candidates even in a PR election, but I at least have the choice. That's the key.
OK then, O'Neill, to summarise:
1. You wish to "maximise the pro-union vote" even if that means nationalists winning seats through splits in the unionist bloc.
2. You are prefectly relaxed about using your PR preferences in a way that might prevent a unionist (with whom you disagree) winning a seat over a nationalist?
1. A maximisation of the pro-Union vote, not number of seats held at westminster is what will ultimately count, so yes.
2. I wouldn't vote for any candidate merely because of his constitutional preference, so yes, again.
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