open Democracy News Analysis - Tories renew relationship with Ulster Unionists, Tom Griffin - Comments

Stephen Gash on "Tories renew relationship with Ulster Unionists"

Stephen Gash — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:32:36 +0000

It's about time Cameron started looking to England and the English for support. Instead he blames the English for not understanding "Scottish concerns". Well he pretty much blames the English for everything. Perhaps this is because he has lots of Scottish blood in his veins, as he puts it.
The Tories are falling into a trap of their own making. They actually believe that they are popular in England because they have a few by-election victories. The reality is that the English are giving Labour a wellying because of its post-devolution, Celt-led policies of ruining England and eradicating all things English.
The Tories are certainly not popular in the north of England. The English are putting the Tories on parole to see what they plan for England. However, the Tories are so concerned at maintaining, as Cameron put it, "an imperfect Union," they are once again taking the English for granted and turning their backs on their natural constituency. Instead they choose to suck up to 'Celts' once again.
I ask one question. Will Cameron give England representation on the British/Irish Council, which it currently does not have? I doubt it.

Tally on "Tories renew relationship with Ulster Unionists"

Tally — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 09:27:00 +0000

This is appalling news, why does Cameron think England needs orangemen to rule over us?. Instead of answering the West Lothian Question properly, he prefers to draft in sectarian help to combat New Labour and the Snp in Parliament. Disgusting and immoral.

Tories renew relationship with Ulster Unionists, Tom Griffin

Tom Griffin — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 03:54:44 +0000

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.