This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/7768650.stm
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| 'Semi-detached NI role' must end | |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| David Cameron has told Ulster Unionists closer ties between the parties will benefit Northern Ireland. | |
| The two parties have agreed to select joint candidates in European and Westminster elections. | |
| "The semi-detached status of Northern Ireland politics needs to end," the Conservative leader said. | |
| Mr Cameron earlier admitted he still needs to convince the only UUP MP, Lady Sylvia Hermon, of the benefits of closer ties between the two parties. | |
| "I know how much she admired Tony Blair and I understand her views, I need to convince her ... that this new force force is in the interests of the people of Northern Ireland," he told the UUP's annual conference in Belfast. | |
| The Tory-Ulster Unionist partnership has been under discussion since July. | The Tory-Ulster Unionist partnership has been under discussion since July. |
| The parties said they were not working on a merger but a partnership which would offer a new political opportunity for voters. | The parties said they were not working on a merger but a partnership which would offer a new political opportunity for voters. |
| Its supporters argue it offers Northern Ireland's voters a say in national and international politics and the chance to elect MPs who could serve in a future government. | Its supporters argue it offers Northern Ireland's voters a say in national and international politics and the chance to elect MPs who could serve in a future government. |
| Lost dominance | Lost dominance |
| The Ulster Unionists now have only one MP, having lost their old dominant position in Northern Ireland to Peter Robinson's DUP. | The Ulster Unionists now have only one MP, having lost their old dominant position in Northern Ireland to Peter Robinson's DUP. |
| BBC Northern Ireland political editor Mark Devenport said an association with the Tories would provide the Ulster Unionists with much-needed finance and know-how. | BBC Northern Ireland political editor Mark Devenport said an association with the Tories would provide the Ulster Unionists with much-needed finance and know-how. |
| He said that for the Conservatives, the partnership bolsters their claim to be a party representing all of the UK, not just England. | He said that for the Conservatives, the partnership bolsters their claim to be a party representing all of the UK, not just England. |
| However, alienating the DUP could prove counter-productive for the Tories if the next election is close enough to produce a hung parliament, our correspondent added. | However, alienating the DUP could prove counter-productive for the Tories if the next election is close enough to produce a hung parliament, our correspondent added. |
| The first joint candidate will be Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson, who is already a member of the Conservative group in Europe. | The first joint candidate will be Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson, who is already a member of the Conservative group in Europe. |
| The DUP has criticised the new partnership, arguing that a Tory pledge to contest every seat in the UK threatens to split the unionist vote in constituencies like South Belfast and Fermanagh South Tyrone. | The DUP has criticised the new partnership, arguing that a Tory pledge to contest every seat in the UK threatens to split the unionist vote in constituencies like South Belfast and Fermanagh South Tyrone. |
| Cannot play media. Sorry, this media is not available in your territory. | Cannot play media. Sorry, this media is not available in your territory. |
| Live coverage of the UUP conference. Broadcast begins at 1030 GMT | Live coverage of the UUP conference. Broadcast begins at 1030 GMT |