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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.

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

DUUP

SD Fein

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

Everyone forgets about the Alliance party.

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.

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 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.

Quote from: orangeman on January 27, 2012, 05:28:40 PM
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.

Quote from: Myles Na G. on January 27, 2012, 06:33:20 PM

Quote from: orangeman on January 27, 2012, 05:28:40 PM
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?

Quote from: Myles Na G. on January 27, 2012, 06:33:20 PM

Quote from: orangeman on January 27, 2012, 05:28:40 PM
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.

Quote from: Maguire01 on January 27, 2012, 06:42:29 PM

Quote from: Myles Na G. on January 27, 2012, 06:33:20 PM

Quote from: orangeman on January 27, 2012, 05:28:40 PM
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.

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

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..

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

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

Where is Bob (man-of-integrity) McCartney when you need him? His brand of bitterness could have pulled the UUP together.

Still, all is well that ends well. Lordships for the boys made the journey worthwhile and feck the sinking ship. Round of applause for:
- Ken (throw that tricolur in the Thames) Maginniss
- David (the Traitor) Trimble
- John (never got a nickname) Taylor
- Reg (Mr Burns) Empey
- Jim (remain tight lipped) Molyneaux

Quote from: Orior on January 30, 2012, 09:58:28 PM
Where is Bob (man-of-integrity) McCartney when you need him? His brand of bitterness could have pulled the UUP together.

Still, all is well that ends well. Lordships for the boys made the journey worthwhile and feck the sinking ship. Round of applause for:
jo- Ken (throw that tricolur in the Thames) Maginniss
- David (the Traitor) Trimble
- John (never got a nickname) Taylor
- Reg (Mr Burns) Empey
- Jim (remain tight lipped) Molyneaux

John Taylor was always known as bucket head by his former constituents at the tip of the Ards peninsula.

Quote from: Maguire01 on January 27, 2012, 11:12:11 PM
The implosion continues...

David McNarry leaves Ulster Unionist assembly group

Whatever else happens them, the UUP is undoubtedly better off without McNarry - a particularly nasty individual (imo).

Quote from: johnneycool on January 31, 2012, 08:52:36 AM

Quote from: Orior on January 30, 2012, 09:58:28 PM
Where is Bob (man-of-integrity) McCartney when you need him? His brand of bitterness could have pulled the UUP together.

Still, all is well that ends well. Lordships for the boys made the journey worthwhile and feck the sinking ship. Round of applause for:
jo- Ken (throw that tricolur in the Thames) Maginniss
- David (the Traitor) Trimble
- John (never got a nickname) Taylor
- Reg (Mr Burns) Empey
- Jim (remain tight lipped) Molyneaux

John Taylor was always known as bucket head by his former constituents at the tip of the Ards peninsula.

is taylor not norn irons version of rupert murdock? i think hes a big shout in radio and print meejah

Quote from: lawnseed on January 31, 2012, 10:18:40 PM
is taylor not norn irons version of rupert murdock? i think hes a big shout in radio and print meejah

He partly owns and chairs the Alpha Newspaper Group.

Under that grouping:

The north -

Newspapers

Ballyclare Gazette
Ballymena Guardian
Carrickfergus Advertiser
Larne Gazette
Northern Constitution
The Outlook
Strabane Weekly News and Donegal Reporter
Tyrone Constitution
Tyrone Courier
Ulster Gazette
Coleraine Chronicle
Ballymena Chronicle
Ballycastle Chronicle
Limivady Chronicle
Antrim Guardian
Newry Democrat

Radio stations

Alpha Newspapers, The Irish News and River Media are part of the consortium Northern Media Group, which operates six radio stations in the north

Five FM
Six FM
Seven FM
Q102.9
Q101.2
Q 102

The south -

Midland Tribune
Tullamore Tribune

Quote from: ziggysego on January 31, 2012, 10:51:49 PM

Quote from: lawnseed on January 31, 2012, 10:18:40 PM
is taylor not norn irons version of rupert murdock? i think hes a big shout in radio and print meejah

He partly owns and chairs the Alpha Newspaper Group.

Under that grouping:

The north -

Newspapers

Ballyclare Gazette
Ballymena Guardian
Carrickfergus Advertiser
Larne Gazette
Northern Constitution
The Outlook
Strabane Weekly News and Donegal Reporter
Tyrone Constitution
Tyrone Courier
Ulster Gazette
Coleraine Chronicle
Ballymena Chronicle
Ballycastle Chronicle
Limivady Chronicle
Antrim Guardian
Newry Democrat

Radio stations

Alpha Newspapers, The Irish News and River Media are part of the consortium Northern Media Group, which operates six radio stations in the north

Five FM
Six FM
Seven FM
Q102.9
Q101.2
Q 102

The south -

Midland Tribune
Tullamore Tribune

he 'IS' a big noise in the meejah! thats quite a collection

@KenReid_UTV

@KenReid_utv: Prime Minister tells NI Conservatives the link with UUP failed. Too many in UUP stuck in the past, he said. Time to go alone, he says.

Not much of a recommendation for Mike and the lads.