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Unionist parties' Euro poll plea Unionist parties' Euro poll plea
(about 1 hour later)
The UUP and Traditional Unionist Voice have advised their voters to transfer between unionists at next June's European elections.The UUP and Traditional Unionist Voice have advised their voters to transfer between unionists at next June's European elections.
The two parties held talks on what they described as a "voting strategy".The two parties held talks on what they described as a "voting strategy".
They said this was designed to ensure two unionist MEPs continue to be returned to the European parliament.They said this was designed to ensure two unionist MEPs continue to be returned to the European parliament.
TUV leader Jim Allister's defection from the DUP in March 2007 over power-sharing with Sinn Féin means three unionists will contest the poll.TUV leader Jim Allister's defection from the DUP in March 2007 over power-sharing with Sinn Féin means three unionists will contest the poll.
Traditionally, the three seats on offer have gone to two unionists and one nationalist.Traditionally, the three seats on offer have gone to two unionists and one nationalist.
The TUV and Ulster Unionist Party said they are concerned to retain the two seats for unionists in the election, which is based on proportional representation.The TUV and Ulster Unionist Party said they are concerned to retain the two seats for unionists in the election, which is based on proportional representation.
This allows voters to select their preferred candidates in numerical order.This allows voters to select their preferred candidates in numerical order.
In a joint statement, UUP leader Sir Reg Empey and Mr Allister said: "We agreed on the priority of retaining two unionist representatives in Europe.In a joint statement, UUP leader Sir Reg Empey and Mr Allister said: "We agreed on the priority of retaining two unionist representatives in Europe.
It is clear that the DUP, as the largest unionist Party, is best placed to ensure that unionism once again tops the poll in Europe and keeps unionism ahead DUP statement
"This should be the overriding priority of all unionists in respect of this election. Such is only attainable by full utilisation of transfers between the unionist candidates."This should be the overriding priority of all unionists in respect of this election. Such is only attainable by full utilisation of transfers between the unionist candidates.
"Thus, we agreed to recommend such a voting strategy to all unionist voters.""Thus, we agreed to recommend such a voting strategy to all unionist voters."
A DUP spokesman said: "It is clear that the DUP, as the largest unionist party, is best placed to ensure that unionism once again tops the poll in Europe and keeps unionism ahead."