The beginning of the end of the Ulster Unionist Party ?

[orangeman]

Pan unionist party coming up ?

The Ulster Unionist leader Tom Elliott has written to party members to reassure them about the nature of talks with the DUP.

In the letter, seen by the BBC, he said the brief was nothing more than to "explore areas of cooperation for the benefit of unionism in general".

He added that the talks were "without prejudice to the interests or integrity of the Ulster Unionist Party".

There has been speculation about talks between the parties in recent days.

Mr Elliot also said he had always questioned whether a single unionist party "would deliver the required electoral success for unionism."

However, he had wished to "do justice to that section of the pro-Union electorate who urged our candidates last May to work more closely with other unionist parties".

Mr Elliott reassured members that should there be a need for decisions to be taken as a result of the discussions he will bring them before the party executive.

He said he had written the letter in light of recent media stories adding that in his role as party leader he had held meetings with other parties as well.

[AQMP]

Are we on the slippery slope to a two party state(let)?

DUUP

SD Fein

[Orior]

Dont be stupid, be a smartie,
Come and join, the Nazi party.

[Denn Forever]

Everyone forgets about the Alliance party.

[Evil Genius]

Elliott may be hoping to come to some sort of an Election Pact with the DUP, but I would be very surprised if he were talking "merger", since that would effectively be a takeover, with he and the other leading UUP members having to take what they're given by Peter & Co.

Remember, he was quick enough to reject a dissolution of the UUP in order to become part of the Tories, even though they would have allowed him to remain as their local Leader in NI.

[orangeman]

If you can't beat them, join them.

They're a beaten docket and he knows it. Best to join them at this stage.

Can't ever see the SDLP following suit and teaming up with SF but stranger things have happened and are happening in N. Ireland.

[Maguire01]

A merger would be a disaster for unionism and would no doubt result in a lower unionist vote. Some UUP voters would stay at home and others would head for Alliance... probably even a few to the TUV. The vote for a new party would not match the combined vote of the two parties.

[Myles Na G.]

If you can't beat them, join them.

They're a beaten docket and he knows it. Best to join them at this stage.

Can't ever see the SDLP following suit and teaming up with SF but stranger things have happened and are happening in N. Ireland.

A merger of some of the more liberal Ulster unionists, pale green SDLPers, and the Alliance Party, would create a centre party that could challenge the sectarian agendas of the DUP and SF. Too many vested interests in all 3 parties, though, so probably won't happen.

[Maguire01]

If you can't beat them, join them.

They're a beaten docket and he knows it. Best to join them at this stage.

Can't ever see the SDLP following suit and teaming up with SF but stranger things have happened and are happening in N. Ireland.

A merger of some of the more liberal Ulster unionists, pale green SDLPers, and the Alliance Party, would create a centre party that could challenge the sectarian agendas of the DUP and SF. Too many vested interests in all 3 parties, though, so probably won't happen.

Does the Alliance party not already serve this function?

[AQMP]

If you can't beat them, join them.

They're a beaten docket and he knows it. Best to join them at this stage.

Can't ever see the SDLP following suit and teaming up with SF but stranger things have happened and are happening in N. Ireland.

A merger of some of the more liberal Ulster unionists, pale green SDLPers, and the Alliance Party, would create a centre party that could challenge the sectarian agendas of the DUP and SF. Too many vested interests in all 3 parties, though, so probably won't happen.

Much talked about at the time of the GFA, but after nearly 14 years the centre ground has yet to emerge in the North, never mind a party to occupy it.

[Myles Na G.]

If you can't beat them, join them.

They're a beaten docket and he knows it. Best to join them at this stage.

Can't ever see the SDLP following suit and teaming up with SF but stranger things have happened and are happening in N. Ireland.

A merger of some of the more liberal Ulster unionists, pale green SDLPers, and the Alliance Party, would create a centre party that could challenge the sectarian agendas of the DUP and SF. Too many vested interests in all 3 parties, though, so probably won't happen.

Does the Alliance party not already serve this function?

It does, but it would benefit if some mainstream unionists and nationalists crossed over and widened its appeal to the electorate. Alliance would also benefit if it didn't have to compete for votes with moderate Ulster Unionist and SDLP candidates.

[Maguire01]

The implosion continues...

David McNarry leaves Ulster Unionist assembly group
David McNarry resigned after his party leader told him he would no longer be the deputy chair of the education committee

The Ulster Unionist MLA David McNarry has resigned from the Ulster Unionist assembly group.

In a statement he said this followed a decision by the UUP leader Tom Elliott to remove him as deputy chair of the education committee.

Mr McNarry said he spoke to the party leader on Friday evening by telephone.

And Mr Elliott told him he was being disciplined as a result of an article that appeared in the Belfast Telegraph last Monday.

Although Mr Elliott said he would not be removing the party whip, Mr McNarry in response informed the leader he was resigning with immediate effect from the assembly group.

The article was an interview Mr McNarry gave, in which he revealed that he had been meeting the DUP to discuss closer co-operation and maximising the unionist vote.

These talks had previously been secret and the article caused a backlash throughout the assembly group and the party.

Earlier on Friday, the BBC revealed that the Ulster Unionist leader had written to party members to reassure them about the nature of talks the UUP was having with the DUP.

In the letter, seen by the BBC, Mr Elliott said the brief was nothing more than to "explore areas of cooperation for the benefit of unionism in general".

An Ulster Unionist spokesperson said: "We can confirm that David McNarry was removed by the party leader as vice chair of the education committee.

"We are aware of the media reports that David has resigned from the Ulster Unionist assembly group, but at this stage neither the leader nor the party have received formal notification from David of his resignation."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-16765676

[lawnseed]

what about nesbitt will he get back on the telly? he couldnt really do political stuff now with his uup baggage. its not so easy on the other end of the mic..

[bennydorano]

First thing i did was check the date to see when this was posted, i assumed it was 5 years old.

[lawnseed]

i listened to talkback today its sounds as if the uup have died and the rest of them are fighting over their stuff. never thought i'd live to see that