John McCallister quits the UUP

[AQMP]

Does anyone have a clue what Nesbitt is doing??  Is he the world's worst leader of a political party??

[Applesisapples]

This exposes the lie that the DUP and UUP are committed to a shared future. From figures last time around Francie will walk it nationalist voters will come out in droves but middle ground unionists will either not vote or vote for the SDLP. All those small u catholics unionists take note.

[Main Street]

Does this may the brit/prod/loyalist candidate for mid-ulster the favourite?

No chance Francie will win it handy

Anyone have the results of the last mid Ulster election handy?

It certainly makes it a lot more interesting.

2010 General Election in Mid-Ulster

Sinn Féin Martin McGuinness 21,239 52.0%
Democratic Unionist Ian McCrea 5,876 14.4%
SDLP Tony Quinn 5,826 14.3%
Conservatives and Unionists Sandra Overend 4,509 11.0%
Traditional Unionist Voice Walter Millar 2,995 7.3%
Alliance Ian Butler 397 1.0%

Majority 15,363 37.6%
Turnout 40,842 63.2%
Sinn Féin hold Swing +5.8%

Considering those figures, it's quite bizarre for the UUP to make a pact with the DUP in this constituency, a pact where there's nothing to gain and causes such discord inside their party.

[LeoMc]

Does anyone have a clue what Nesbitt is doing??  Is he the world's worst leader of a political party??

If nothing else he has boosted the SDLP back up to being the third biggest party in Stormont.
To lose one MLA could be considered carelessness, to lose 3....

[NAG1]

Does anyone have a clue what Nesbitt is doing??  Is he the world's worst leader of a political party??

If nothing else he has boosted the SDLP back up to being the third biggest party in Stormont.
To lose one MLA could be considered carelessness, to lose 3....

On a serious note, apart from his UTV fame how did he get elected to head of the party?

[AQMP]

McCrea says he won't be joining Alliance and is likely to form a new party with McCallister.

[EC Unique]

Between this, the flegs, nationalist population rising, etc.... Unionism is really collapsing around them and they know it. I'm enjoying watching it. 

[Maguire01]

Between this, the flegs, nationalist population rising, etc.... Unionism is really collapsing around them and they know it. I'm enjoying watching it. 

Political unionism maybe. Support for the union is another matter.

[red hander]

Does this may the brit/prod/loyalist candidate for mid-ulster the favourite?

No chance Francie will win it handy

Anyone have the results of the last mid Ulster election handy?

It certainly makes it a lot more interesting.

2010 General Election in Mid-Ulster

Sinn Féin Martin McGuinness 21,239 52.0%
Democratic Unionist Ian McCrea 5,876 14.4%
SDLP Tony Quinn 5,826 14.3%
Conservatives and Unionists Sandra Overend 4,509 11.0%
Traditional Unionist Voice Walter Millar 2,995 7.3%
Alliance Ian Butler 397 1.0%

Majority 15,363 37.6%
Turnout 40,842 63.2%
Sinn Féin hold Swing +5.8%

Considering those figures, it's quite bizarre for the UUP to make a pact with the DUP in this constituency, a pact where there's nothing to gain and causes such discord inside their party.

Nail on the head. Why would you even risk the internal ructions and consequent benefits for the DUP over a constituency that an agreed unionist candidate has absolutely no chance of winning? The only conclusion to draw is that Nesbitt really is as thick as pig shit

[Dougal Maguire]

Apart from being a Prod with the potential to cause some embarrassment to Francie Molloy what qualifications does Nigel Lutton have to make him a suitable candidate for Westminster?

[Maguire01]

Apart from being a Prod with the potential to cause some embarrassment to Francie Molloy what qualifications does Nigel Lutton have to make him a suitable candidate for Westminster?

What qualifications do any of them have?

[Tony Baloney]

Apart from being a Prod with the potential to cause some embarrassment to Francie Molloy what qualifications does Nigel Lutton have to make him a suitable candidate for Westminster?

What qualifications do any of them have?

Exactly. A lot of these clowns would be unemployable in the real world.

[Maguire01]

@billmanwaring: Very strong rumours about another UUP MLA leaving the party - #Meltdown2013

Tweet about 4 hours ago from former UUP man now with NI Conservatives. This really is car crash stuff.

[imtommygunn]

You'd be hard pushed to find as weak leadership as we've  seen from the unionists this last few months.

Also noticeable how quick robinson was to crawl out from wherever he was when sean kelly was arrested.

Fair play to these two boys for at least standing up for what they believe in.

[ziggysego]

@billmanwaring: Very strong rumours about another UUP MLA leaving the party - #Meltdown2013

Tweet about 4 hours ago from former UUP man now with NI Conservatives. This really is car crash stuff.

Seen this quote and Eamonn Mallie hinted at something similar. Did a bit of rooting about, it seems it could be a former executive minister....