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Hermon rejects joint Tory ticket | Hermon rejects joint Tory ticket |
(about 2 hours later) | |
UUP North Down MP Lady Sylvia Hermon has said she will not apply to stand for election under the joint Ulster Unionist and Conservative banner. | UUP North Down MP Lady Sylvia Hermon has said she will not apply to stand for election under the joint Ulster Unionist and Conservative banner. |
The UUP's deadline for nominations in North Down closes at 1700 GMT. | The UUP's deadline for nominations in North Down closes at 1700 GMT. |
The BBC understands that the Ulster Unionists have selected nominees in all constituencies apart from North Down. | The BBC understands that the Ulster Unionists have selected nominees in all constituencies apart from North Down. |
Lady Hermon remains adamant she will not stand under a Conservative banner, but behind the scenes there are ongoing talks aimed at reaching a compromise. | Lady Hermon remains adamant she will not stand under a Conservative banner, but behind the scenes there are ongoing talks aimed at reaching a compromise. |
The Ulster Conservatives and Unionists - New Force (UCUNF) electoral link-up between the two parties was forged in 2008. | The Ulster Conservatives and Unionists - New Force (UCUNF) electoral link-up between the two parties was forged in 2008. |
'Exceedingly difficult' | 'Exceedingly difficult' |
BBC NI political reporter Stephen Walker said that of all the 18 constituencies in Northern Ireland, North Down has given the Ulster Unionist Party its "biggest headache". | BBC NI political reporter Stephen Walker said that of all the 18 constituencies in Northern Ireland, North Down has given the Ulster Unionist Party its "biggest headache". |
"Lady Hermon has always insisted she is against the electoral alliance with the Tories and won't stand on a joint Conservative and Unionist ticket," he said. | "Lady Hermon has always insisted she is against the electoral alliance with the Tories and won't stand on a joint Conservative and Unionist ticket," he said. |
"A potential compromise could involve Lady Hermon standing as an Ulster Unionist but agreeing to support the Conservatives in key votes. | "A potential compromise could involve Lady Hermon standing as an Ulster Unionist but agreeing to support the Conservatives in key votes. |
"The Ulster Unionists' sole MP says she has not been given details of exactly how this dispensation would work and she recognises that it is exceedingly difficult. | "The Ulster Unionists' sole MP says she has not been given details of exactly how this dispensation would work and she recognises that it is exceedingly difficult. |
"Officially, the Conservatives say that if Lady Hermon puts her name forward she must sign up to the Tory manifesto and take the Conservative Whip at Westminster." | "Officially, the Conservatives say that if Lady Hermon puts her name forward she must sign up to the Tory manifesto and take the Conservative Whip at Westminster." |
The UUP and Conservatives are to select candidates to stand in Westminster and European elections. | The UUP and Conservatives are to select candidates to stand in Westminster and European elections. |
In October, the Conservatives selected Ian Parsley to stand in North Down. | In October, the Conservatives selected Ian Parsley to stand in North Down. |
A former Alliance Party member, Mr Parsley joined the Conservative Party in September 2009. | A former Alliance Party member, Mr Parsley joined the Conservative Party in September 2009. |