Unionist Leadership

Common Sense at Last

Finally, unionists have decided to put the people of Fermanagh and South Tyrone before their own party political interests. The two main unionist parties have decided to throw their weight behind a single unionists candidate in order that the will of the unionists people of Fermanagh and South Tyrone may be finally realised.

Rodney Connor, former chief executive of Fermanagh District Council, will stand as an independent candidate with the Democratic Unionists and Ulster Unionists having both decided to step out of the running.

This pragmatic move should finally see Sinn Fein’s sitting MP Michelle Gildernew kicked out of an office she should never have held. It is nothing short of a disgrace that Sinn Fein have held this seat since 2001.

The issue had been complicated by the UUP’s electoral alliance with the Conservative Party and David Cameron’s insistence that one of their joint candidates run in each of Northern Ireland’s 18 constituencies.

Outlining the compromise deal, Mr Connor said he would be prepared to accept the Tory whip at Westminster but insisted that in regard to local matters he would vote in the best interest of the region.

“I want to be a voice for the people of Fermanagh and South Tyrone at Westminster,” he said. “Through my work, over the years, I believe that I have already demonstrated a proven track record of delivering in the constituency for people from right across the community. I know what Fermanagh and South Tyrone needs and I believe that I am well equipped to help deliver it.

Arlene Foster and Tom Elliot have had to take imaginative steps in order to back Mr Connor but the people of Fermanagh and South Tyrone will be grateful for their professionalism.

“This follows many weeks of discussions and negotiations and represents a good and potentially historic day for Fermanagh and South Tyrone and for unionism,” said Arlene Foster. “When unionism is divided unionism is weakened. I have no doubt that Fermanagh and South Tyrone can set the example for other areas in Northern Ireland to follow.

“The DUP has always made it clear that we are prepared to step aside in the event that an independent unionist candidate could be agreed. I have no doubt that Rodney Connor is such a candidate and I give him my and my party’s wholehearted and unqualified support.

UUP Assembly member Tom Elliott, who has also stepped out of the race, said: “I was aware of a strong community desire to ensure representation for Fermanagh & South Tyrone and that there was very strong support for a single Unionist community candidate that could command the overall support of the Unionist and wider communities.