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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| MP Hermon quits Ulster Unionists | MP Hermon quits Ulster Unionists |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Lady Sylvia Hermon has resigned from the Ulster Unionist Party and is to defend her North Down parliamentary seat as an independent candidate. | Lady Sylvia Hermon has resigned from the Ulster Unionist Party and is to defend her North Down parliamentary seat as an independent candidate. |
| On Thursday, she said she was leaving the party, having refused to support its pact with the Conservatives. | On Thursday, she said she was leaving the party, having refused to support its pact with the Conservatives. |
| In a statement, she said the distance between herself and the party had become "so great" that she had decided to resign. | In a statement, she said the distance between herself and the party had become "so great" that she had decided to resign. |
| Lady Hermon had been the Ulster Unionists' only MP. | Lady Hermon had been the Ulster Unionists' only MP. |
| But she also said she would "stand her ground", fighting as an independent. | But she also said she would "stand her ground", fighting as an independent. |
| Lady Hermon said she felt "profound sadness" at leaving the party. | Lady Hermon said she felt "profound sadness" at leaving the party. |
| Support | Support |
| "I have taken a considerable amount of time to think and to reflect before coming to this decision, but I believe it to be the right one for the Party and for me," she said. | "I have taken a considerable amount of time to think and to reflect before coming to this decision, but I believe it to be the right one for the Party and for me," she said. |
| "The tremendous support I have received from constituents during the recent stressful and difficult time in my political life has encouraged me greatly, and convinced me that I ought to run again as a candidate." | "The tremendous support I have received from constituents during the recent stressful and difficult time in my political life has encouraged me greatly, and convinced me that I ought to run again as a candidate." |
| I believe that the values we share far outweigh the differences in approach to some issues Sir Reg EmpeyUlster Unionist leader Profile: Lady Sylvia Hermon Democracy Live biography | I believe that the values we share far outweigh the differences in approach to some issues Sir Reg EmpeyUlster Unionist leader Profile: Lady Sylvia Hermon Democracy Live biography |
| Lady Hermon had previously stressed that she would not stand on the joint ticket. | |
| "I'm not a Tory - I'm not going to stand under the Tory-Ulster Unionist banner - it's as simple as that," she said. | "I'm not a Tory - I'm not going to stand under the Tory-Ulster Unionist banner - it's as simple as that," she said. |
| Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey said he deeply regretted Lady Hermon's decision to leave the party. | Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey said he deeply regretted Lady Hermon's decision to leave the party. |
| "I wish to thank her for her contribution to Ulster Unionism since her election in 2001," he said. | "I wish to thank her for her contribution to Ulster Unionism since her election in 2001," he said. |
| "I believe that the values we share far outweigh the differences in approach to some issues. | "I believe that the values we share far outweigh the differences in approach to some issues. |
| "The party's major policy decisions have been reached after widespread consultation and have been unanimous." | "The party's major policy decisions have been reached after widespread consultation and have been unanimous." |
| 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. |
| The UUP and Conservatives have agreed to select candidates to stand in Westminster and European elections. | The UUP and Conservatives have agreed to select candidates to stand in Westminster and European elections. |
| In October, the Conservatives selected Ian Parsley as their choice to stand in North Down. | In October, the Conservatives selected Ian Parsley as their choice 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. |