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 3 Version 4
'Semi-detached NI role' must end 'Semi-detached NI role' must end
(20 minutes later)
David Cameron has told Ulster Unionists closer ties between the parties will benefit Northern Ireland.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 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."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.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."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.
Cameron calls for closer ties with the UUPCameron calls for closer ties with the UUP
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.
UUP leader Sir Reg Empey later told the conference that the new alliance offered the chance to forge a dynamic new unionism.
"It is a relationship that is about much more than mere party politics. It is a constitutional statement," he said.
"It declares and demonstrates that Northern Ireland is not a place apart - not an internal colony.
"It is an outward and visible sign of Northern Ireland's rightful place within the United Kingdom."
The UUP leader characterised his opponents in the Democratic Unionist party as having a "little Ulster" mentality that ultimately worked against unionist interests.
"The Ulster Unionist Party wants to offer the electorate of Northern Ireland something more than a continuation of 'us-and-them' politics," he said.
"Something more than a Balkanisation process which will condemn another generation to elections based on sectarian headcounts and pure self-interest."
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.
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.
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 GMTLive coverage of the UUP conference. Broadcast begins at 1030 GMT