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| One unionist call for city seat | One unionist call for city seat |
| (21 minutes later) | |
| The Ulster Unionists and DUP should discuss running a single unionist candidate in South Belfast, the area's Ulster Unionist Association has said. | The Ulster Unionists and DUP should discuss running a single unionist candidate in South Belfast, the area's Ulster Unionist Association has said. |
| In a letter to UUP leader Sir Reg Empey the association suggested the move was needed if unionists are to retake the Westminster seat from the SDLP. | |
| The move could potentially bring the Ulster Unionists into conflict with their Conservative electoral partners. | The move could potentially bring the Ulster Unionists into conflict with their Conservative electoral partners. |
| The Conservatives have already selected a candidate for South Belfast. | The Conservatives have already selected a candidate for South Belfast. |
| It is understood a recent meeting of the South Belfast Ulster Unionist Association concluded that unless a single unionist candidate runs for Westminster, it is likely the seat will be retained by the sitting MP SDLP Deputy Leader Alasdair McDonnell. | It is understood a recent meeting of the South Belfast Ulster Unionist Association concluded that unless a single unionist candidate runs for Westminster, it is likely the seat will be retained by the sitting MP SDLP Deputy Leader Alasdair McDonnell. |
| At the 2005 Westminster election Mr McDonnell won the seat with 10,339 votes. Jimmy Spratt of the DUP was second with 9,104 votes and Michael McGimpsey of the UUP was third with 7,263 votes. | |
| Three Ulster Unionists are believed to be interested in standing this time - Mr McGimpsey, the former Belfast Mayor Bob Stoker and the Village community worker Paula Bradshaw. | |
| Any suggestion of a pact with the DUP could cause problems with the Conservatives who have pledged to fight every constituency in the UK, and have already selected their candidate, former BBC producer Peter McCann. | Any suggestion of a pact with the DUP could cause problems with the Conservatives who have pledged to fight every constituency in the UK, and have already selected their candidate, former BBC producer Peter McCann. |