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Tory calls for end to UUP link Tory calls for end to UUP link
(20 minutes later)
The chairman of a grassroots Conservative party group has called for an end to the alliance between his party and the Ulster Unionists.The chairman of a grassroots Conservative party group has called for an end to the alliance between his party and the Ulster Unionists.
Chair of the Campaign for Conservative Democracy, John Stafford, criticised recent secret talks involving the Tories, the DUP and Ulster Unionists. Chair of the Campaign for Conservative Democracy, John Strafford, criticised recent secret talks involving the Tories, the DUP and Ulster Unionists.
He said the Shadow NI Secretary of State Owen Patterson should explain why no Tory candidates are in place in NI.He said the Shadow NI Secretary of State Owen Patterson should explain why no Tory candidates are in place in NI.
The UUP rejected the criticism and said the link-up would continue.The UUP rejected the criticism and said the link-up would continue.
Mr Stafford, who is also vice-president of the Northern Ireland Conservative Association, said Tory candidates should have been in place in Northern Ireland in November. Mr Strafford, who is also vice-president of the Northern Ireland Conservative Association, said Tory candidates should have been in place in Northern Ireland in November.
He added: "As far as I can see what is happening is that the Ulster Unionists are delaying and obfuscating and now, into this pot of Irish stew, is coming the DUP."He added: "As far as I can see what is happening is that the Ulster Unionists are delaying and obfuscating and now, into this pot of Irish stew, is coming the DUP."
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The link-up between the Conservatives and the Ulster Unionists, known as Ulster Conservatives and Unionists New Force (UCUNF) was forged in 2008.The link-up between the Conservatives and the Ulster Unionists, known as Ulster Conservatives and Unionists New Force (UCUNF) was forged in 2008.
Both the UUP and the Tories will select a potential candidate for each of Northern Ireland's 18 parliamentary constituencies. A joint-committee will then select the person who will go forward to fight the general election on behalf of UCUNF.Both the UUP and the Tories will select a potential candidate for each of Northern Ireland's 18 parliamentary constituencies. A joint-committee will then select the person who will go forward to fight the general election on behalf of UCUNF.
It was thought the alliance would provide a strong electoral challenge to Northern Ireland's largest unionist party, the DUP.It was thought the alliance would provide a strong electoral challenge to Northern Ireland's largest unionist party, the DUP.
I think this has gone on for far too long now John StaffordI think this has gone on for far too long now John Stafford
However, it has emerged that earlier this month Owen Paterson hosted secret talks at an English stately home, Hatfield House, involving his own party, the DUP and the Ulster Unionists.However, it has emerged that earlier this month Owen Paterson hosted secret talks at an English stately home, Hatfield House, involving his own party, the DUP and the Ulster Unionists.
The three parties have since claimed that the meeting was concerned with finding a way to strengthen the functioning of the Northern Ireland Executive.The three parties have since claimed that the meeting was concerned with finding a way to strengthen the functioning of the Northern Ireland Executive.
However, nationalists have accused the Tories of orchestrating the formation of a "pan-unionist alliance" to strengthen the pro-union vote in upcoming elections.However, nationalists have accused the Tories of orchestrating the formation of a "pan-unionist alliance" to strengthen the pro-union vote in upcoming elections.
It is understood that two Catholics who wanted to stand for the Conservatives in Northern Ireland have resigned in protest at the talks.It is understood that two Catholics who wanted to stand for the Conservatives in Northern Ireland have resigned in protest at the talks.
DebacleDebacle
Mr Stafford said that was a matter of regret and described the Tories link with the UUP as a "debacle". Mr Strafford said that was a matter of regret and described the Tories link with the UUP as a "debacle".
"The original idea of the Conservative party starting up in Northern Ireland was to set-up a non-sectarian party and it seems now to be enmeshed in this Ulster Unionist debacle.""The original idea of the Conservative party starting up in Northern Ireland was to set-up a non-sectarian party and it seems now to be enmeshed in this Ulster Unionist debacle."
ANALYSIS Nick Robinson, BBC Political editorANALYSIS Nick Robinson, BBC Political editor
The Tory leader insisted that the Conservatives would fight all seats in Northern Ireland - so, by implication, not make way for the DUP.The Tory leader insisted that the Conservatives would fight all seats in Northern Ireland - so, by implication, not make way for the DUP.
He backed his Northern Ireland Spokesman Owen Patterson who, friends say, was just trying to help ensure that devolution stayed on track.He backed his Northern Ireland Spokesman Owen Patterson who, friends say, was just trying to help ensure that devolution stayed on track.
Within months he may have responsibility for hosting all party talks in Downing Street or in Northern Ireland.Within months he may have responsibility for hosting all party talks in Downing Street or in Northern Ireland.
The secret talks at Hatfield House may have made that task a whole lot harder and, incidentally, made the prospect of a dozen Unionist MPs backing him much less likely. Nick Robinson's blog in fullThe secret talks at Hatfield House may have made that task a whole lot harder and, incidentally, made the prospect of a dozen Unionist MPs backing him much less likely. Nick Robinson's blog in full
Asked whether the link-up should end, he said: "I think so, I think this has gone on for far too long now."Asked whether the link-up should end, he said: "I think so, I think this has gone on for far too long now."
He said the Tory party should now press ahead with fielding its own 18 candidates.He said the Tory party should now press ahead with fielding its own 18 candidates.
He said: "These candidates should have been in place in November, then it was Christmas. It is now January and all the time you are being hindered in campaigning for a general election by not having them in place."He said: "These candidates should have been in place in November, then it was Christmas. It is now January and all the time you are being hindered in campaigning for a general election by not having them in place."
Both the Tories and the Ulster Unionists have rejected the criticism and said the alliance was strong.Both the Tories and the Ulster Unionists have rejected the criticism and said the alliance was strong.
The Conservatives said they refuted Labour party suggestions their involvement in secret talks had destabilised the Northern Ireland Executive at a time when it is vulnerable because of the ongoing row over the devolution of policing and justice.The Conservatives said they refuted Labour party suggestions their involvement in secret talks had destabilised the Northern Ireland Executive at a time when it is vulnerable because of the ongoing row over the devolution of policing and justice.
A spokesperson said: "This is yet another attempt by Gordon Brown to create an imaginary political dividing line.A spokesperson said: "This is yet another attempt by Gordon Brown to create an imaginary political dividing line.
"The meeting was a genuine and sensible attempt to help the peace process stay on track."The meeting was a genuine and sensible attempt to help the peace process stay on track.
"We have consistently supported the government on Northern Ireland. Like the prime minister we want nothing more than to see policing and justice powers devolved to Northern Ireland and the situation there stabilised.""We have consistently supported the government on Northern Ireland. Like the prime minister we want nothing more than to see policing and justice powers devolved to Northern Ireland and the situation there stabilised."
The criticism was also rejected by the Ulster Unionists' treasurer, Mark Cosgrove, who insisted that the talks were about strengthening politics in general in Northern Ireland, rather than just unionism.The criticism was also rejected by the Ulster Unionists' treasurer, Mark Cosgrove, who insisted that the talks were about strengthening politics in general in Northern Ireland, rather than just unionism.
He said: "We have a shadow secretary of state who is prepared to get in and get his hands dirty rather than sitting on the sidelines."He said: "We have a shadow secretary of state who is prepared to get in and get his hands dirty rather than sitting on the sidelines."