CAIN Web Service
Ulster Unionist Party Statement following a Meeting with the Orange Order and the DUP on a Possible Electoral Pact, 18 March 2005
[CAIN_Home]
[Key_Events]
[Key_Issues]
[Conflict_Background]
POLITICS:
[Menu]
[Reading]
[Articles]
[Government]
[Political_Initiatives]
[Political_Solutions]
[Parties]
[Elections]
[Polls]
[Sources]
[Peace_Process]
Text: Ulster Unionist Party ... Page compiled: Brendan Lynn
Ulster Unionist Party Statement following a Meeting with the Orange Order and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) on a Possible Electoral Pact, 18 March 2005
"We had a general discussion about seats as a whole in which we argued for an approach that would do maximum damage to Sinn Fein.
The DUP however preferred only to talk about South Belfast and Fermanagh and South Tyrone where the positions of both parties are established and well known.
At the close of the meeting we tabled proposals which the DUP and Orange Order undertook to consider."
UUP PROPOSALS FOR AN ANTI-SINN FEIN ELECTORAL PACT
In view of the refusal by Sinn Fein/IRA to disarm and disband the IRA completely, and its continued involvement in extreme criminality, despite it being clear that Unionism was prepared to engage positively, it is now apparent that the Republican movement is either unwilling or unable to complete a transition from violence to democracy, and that the only way in which devolution can proceed is on the basis of the other democratic parties.
Accordingly, in the interests of wider Unionist unity, and for the greater good of democracy in Northern Ireland the Ulster Unionist Party proposes that it, together with the Democratic Unionist Party, agree an electoral pact with the objective of removing three Sinn Fein MPs from office and preventing others from being elected. This to be achieved as follows:
Both parties agree not to contest each others existing seats but appeal for a maximum united unionist vote for the united unionist candidates on the basis of exclusion of Sinn Fein from a Northern Ireland Executive. Our target should be to achieve a province wide consensus in favour of this.
Both parties will stand down in West Tyrone in favour of an independent candidate with the objective of unseating Pat Doherty.
The Ulster Unionist Party will stand down in mid-Ulster and support a DUP candidate to unseat Martin McGuinness.
The Democratic Unionist Party will stand down in Fermanagh/South Tyrone and support a UUP candidate to unseat Michelle Gildernew.
The Ulster Unionist Party will stand down in West Belfast in favour of a DUP, or other agreed united unionist candidate.
Both Parties to consider how best to proceed in South Down, Newry and Armagh, and Foyle to maximise damage to Sinn Fein and to reach agreement thereon.
|
