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MLA in united unionist party call MLA in united unionist party call
(about 1 hour later)
An Ulster Unionist assembly member has said he would like to see his party amalgamate with the DUP.An Ulster Unionist assembly member has said he would like to see his party amalgamate with the DUP.
Speaking in a personal capacity, Billy Armstrong said there was no need for two pro-agreement unionist parties at Stormont.Speaking in a personal capacity, Billy Armstrong said there was no need for two pro-agreement unionist parties at Stormont.
He told the BBC's Politics Show the DUP should acknowledge the foresight shown by the Ulster Unionists in signing the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.He told the BBC's Politics Show the DUP should acknowledge the foresight shown by the Ulster Unionists in signing the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.
"I have always believed that we should have one party," he said."I have always believed that we should have one party," he said.
"As an Ulster Unionist for Mid-Ulster, I want to see all the people (in the constituency) united together - if we could have three MLAs in Mid-Ulster, it would be great.""As an Ulster Unionist for Mid-Ulster, I want to see all the people (in the constituency) united together - if we could have three MLAs in Mid-Ulster, it would be great."
The UUP's party executive has been discussing a recommendation to accept a DUP offer of talks aimed at maximising the unionist vote at future elections.The UUP's party executive has been discussing a recommendation to accept a DUP offer of talks aimed at maximising the unionist vote at future elections.
Jim Allister says some grassroots unionists feel conned by the DUPRebel independent unionist MEP Jim Allister, who left the DUP earlier this year in protest against power-sharing with Sinn Fein, said some voters felt conned by the DUP's power-sharing deal.Jim Allister says some grassroots unionists feel conned by the DUPRebel independent unionist MEP Jim Allister, who left the DUP earlier this year in protest against power-sharing with Sinn Fein, said some voters felt conned by the DUP's power-sharing deal.
He said many grassroots unionists want him to lead a new anti-Agreement party, something which the DUP said would damage unionism.He said many grassroots unionists want him to lead a new anti-Agreement party, something which the DUP said would damage unionism.
Ulster Unionists formed the first government of Northern Ireland in 1921 after the island of Ireland was partitioned, and held power until 1972 when direct rule from London was introduced because of the Troubles.Ulster Unionists formed the first government of Northern Ireland in 1921 after the island of Ireland was partitioned, and held power until 1972 when direct rule from London was introduced because of the Troubles.
Formed in 1971, the DUP has been the largest party in Northern Ireland since the 2003 assembly poll, overtaking the UUP which now has just one Westminster MP following a disastrous showing in the 2005 general election.Formed in 1971, the DUP has been the largest party in Northern Ireland since the 2003 assembly poll, overtaking the UUP which now has just one Westminster MP following a disastrous showing in the 2005 general election.
The DUP remained opposed to the Good Friday Agreement until last March, when party leader Ian Paisley agreed in historic talks with Sinn Fein's Gerry Adams to restore devolution in Northern Ireland.The DUP remained opposed to the Good Friday Agreement until last March, when party leader Ian Paisley agreed in historic talks with Sinn Fein's Gerry Adams to restore devolution in Northern Ireland.
Politics Show, Sunday 1230 BST