Unionist electoral pact announced.

[T Fearon]

Covering 4 constituencies Fermanagh S Tyrone,N Belfast,E Belfast and Newry and Armagh.Interestinngly not S Belfast ,Big Al Mc Donnell's seat.Is this to cement Big Al in his determination not to enter into a pact with Sinn Fein,or in other words are SDLP part of the same unionist pact?

[foxcommander]

If I was cynical I'd say they waited for the day that's in it to announce such a pact.

If anything it's showing the nationalist people that if they don't unify their vote they won't be represented.
Does anyone want Tom Elliott as their elected representative? He's one small step up the ladder from Willie Frazer.

[T Fearon]

The most interesting aspect is the omission of S Belfast,a seat a single unionist could easily win.Is thus to keep Mc Donnell safe,and ensure he didn't enter into a pact deal with Sinn Fein? If so,that makes the SDLP effectively part of this unionist pact

[Minder]

The most interesting aspect is the omission of S Belfast,a seat a single unionist could easily win.Is thus to keep Mc Donnell safe,and ensure he didn't enter into a pact deal with Sinn Fein? If so,that makes the SDLP effectively part of this unionist pact

Conor Murphy has said he will be speaking to SDLP about a response to the unionist pact

[T Fearon]

No chance of it happening.Big Al's seat is reasonably safe with two unionists in the field,,so he won't countenance a pact with SF.Big question is are the SDLP involved? Why haven't the unionists agreed a single candidate for S Belfast?

[armaghniac]

The most interesting aspect is the omission of S Belfast,a seat a single unionist could easily win.Is thus to keep Mc Donnell safe,and ensure he didn't enter into a pact deal with Sinn Fein? If so,that makes the SDLP effectively part of this unionist pact

Conor Murphy has said he will be speaking to SDLP about a response to the unionist pact

Only the most even split of the nationalist vote would allow any chance for unionists in Newry and Armagh.

[Gaffer]

The most interesting aspect is the omission of S Belfast,a seat a single unionist could easily win.Is thus to keep Mc Donnell safe,and ensure he didn't enter into a pact deal with Sinn Fein? If so,that makes the SDLP effectively part of this unionist pact

Get the 'if' answered before you start digging at the SDLP

[T Fearon]

How else do you explain no agreed unionist candidate in S Belfast then? A single unionist candidate there would have a much greater chance than he or she would in Newry/Armagh.

[Eamonnca1]

Riddle me this. Why does Sinn Fein contest Westminster elections if they have no notion of taking their seats?

[Gaffer]

How else do you explain no agreed unionist candidate in S Belfast then? A single unionist candidate there would have a much greater chance than he or she would in Newry/Armagh.

  Cos they didn't agree one??? No idea why..  They may tell us.

[T Fearon]

Fairly obvious that S Belfast was excluded to keep Mc Donnell sweet and further encourage him to rule out a similar pact with Sinn Fein

[Minder]

Riddle me this. Why does Sinn Fein contest Westminster elections if they have no notion of taking their seats?

They can still collect hundreds of grand in "expenses"

[Champion The Wonder Horse]

Fairly obvious that S Belfast was excluded to keep Mc Donnell sweet and further encourage him to rule out a similar pact with Sinn Fein

There is no chance that Alasdair McDonnell will be re-elected in South Belfast. None whatsoever. That's why the seat was excluded.

No chance either of unionist wins for Elliott or Kennedy; a good day for the DUP.

[Over the Bar]

Riddle me this.  How relevant is Westminster at all in the grand scheme unless you're actually in Gov't??

[gallsman]

Fairly obvious that S Belfast was excluded to keep Mc Donnell sweet and further encourage him to rule out a similar pact with Sinn Fein

There is no chance that Alasdair McDonnell will be re-elected in South Belfast. None whatsoever. That's why the seat was excluded.

No chance either of unionist wins for Elliott or Kennedy; a good day for the DUP.

No chance of McDonnell being reelected? You think?