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UUP MP could sit in Tory cabinet NI MPs could sit in Tory cabinet
(about 6 hours later)
The Tory shadow secretary of state has said there is no reason why an Ulster Unionist could not be part of a Conservative cabinet. The Tory shadow secretary of state has said there is no reason why MPs from NI could not be part of a cabinet, if his party were to merge with the UUP.
Owen Paterson was speaking ahead of the Conservative Party conference which began on Sunday in Birmingham.Owen Paterson was speaking ahead of the Conservative Party conference which began on Sunday in Birmingham.
He said he would like to see UUP MPs on the front and back benches: "Why should Northern Ireland be different?" He said MPs should be able to work on all levels at Westminster: "Why should Northern Ireland be different?"
"Why shouldn't Northern Ireland have politicians from here playing a full part in our national politics.""Why shouldn't Northern Ireland have politicians from here playing a full part in our national politics."
UUP leader Sir Reg Empey said a cabinet post for the Ulster Unionists was a possibility.UUP leader Sir Reg Empey said a cabinet post for the Ulster Unionists was a possibility.
"The general principle would be that if you are part of a wider whole then you participate at all levels. That is the inevitable downstream consequence going forward," he said."The general principle would be that if you are part of a wider whole then you participate at all levels. That is the inevitable downstream consequence going forward," he said.
A report from a working group set up to examine whether there should be a merger between the Ulster Unionists and the Conservatives is due in the autumn.A report from a working group set up to examine whether there should be a merger between the Ulster Unionists and the Conservatives is due in the autumn.