Tories renew relationship with Ulster Unionists

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Tom Griffin (London, The Green Ribbon): On a day when the Conservatives are expected to be also-rans in Scotland, David Cameron has delivered the clearest possible signal of his commitment to the union. In a joint Telegraph article with Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey, he calls for a renewal of the historic alliance between the two parties.

As leaders we met at Westminster last week and agreed to set up a joint working group to explore the possibilities of closer cooperation leading to the creation of a new political and electoral force in Northern Ireland. That working group will report to us in the autumn

The two leaders suggest that Ulster Unionist MPs could serve in a future Conservative government, which must be good news for North Down MP Sylvia Hermon, currently the party's only representative in the Commons.

They also provide some interesting signals as to how they intend to increase that tally. They warn of "a real danger that some of Northern Ireland’s politicians will continue to look inwards and become 'Ulster Nationalists'", a label which has been applied with increasing frequency to the DUP recently. That barb could presage a fascinating contest to come.

In its analysis of the move, The Telegraph suggests cryptically that "Mr Cameron is hoping to employ a similar tactic to win votes in Scotland." That could be taken as a hint at more autonomy for Annabel Goldie's Scottish Tories.

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