How not to deny a story
There have been rumours in political circles for a few days that UCUNF might be considering running a bright young man involved in PR with political connections in North Down. Then this morning the Daily Mirror reported that Alliance's recent European candidate Ian Parsley might be about to join the Ulster Unionists and take up a job at a David Cameron backed think tank.
Mr Parsley responded on his blog claiming there were significant inaccuracies in the report. As a fellow blogger Ian is obviously computer savvy, but he really should have had a word with Declan O'Loan about the perils of not deleting material on the end of your message before you press the send button.
Because an e-mail emphasising his blog message also contained information from a Conservative party official, who appeared to be keeping prospective parliamentary candidates informed on the continuing selection process.
The potential MPs (including one Ian Parsley) were updated on a sample campaign plan from North East Somerset, a letter from David Cameron, a survey used by the Tories in Norwich North, and a Conservative "Lifestyle Magazine".
All of which leaves me looking forward to Ian's clarification this afternoon, and even more to getting my copy of the "Lifestyle Magazine" in mid November. I am hoping it's got at least one article about Ian and maybe another about his other half Paula Bradshaw who is thought to be interested in standing for the Ulster Unionists in South Belfast.
UPDATE: At 3pm on Friday Ian Parsley confirmed that he was leaving the Aliiance "with a heavy heart" and joining the Conservatives. He made the announcement at the office in Weavers Court in Belfast which, ironically enough, the Conservatives rent from the veteran Alliance councillor Tom Eykyn.
I'm 
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~31~RS~)
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It is probable that Ian Parsley will be the CU candidate in North Down if the UUP can't come up with a better candidate. Hermon will not be acceptable to the Conservative party even if she recanted her support for the Labour party. Empey just won't face the fact that he will have to select a candidate that will take the Conservative whip.
Hermon will therefore not run against Parsley he would take too many of her votes and she couldn't countenance losing her seat at an election. She will stand down and who knows the Lords may suddenly become more suitable to her talents or failing that Stormont.
On the wider front Parsley's defection spells out a very clear message that the Alliance party is broke and is going nowhere, whereas the Conservatives are gaining a real profile in Northern Ireland. If the UUP, who also have major cash flow problems, aren't careful they may find out that the Conservatives don't need them and will follow a longer term strategy on their own.
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I have to agree with you 7Pillars. Having been a UU voter I stopped supporting them in favour of Alliance when they tried to out-DUP the DUP. They still continue to flip flop. The squabbles over the Ulster Conservative and Unionist New Force name shows that they want to ride two horses and can't agree on their own strategy never mind effectively run this country. In my opinion they continue to be a sectarian party also. Why would the Conservatives really want to take on that baggage. You are right, they don't need them and with a few more bright young folk like Ian Parsley on their team here in NI they could make a good fist at getting Conservatives elected here in their own right.
Ian Parsley impressed me a lot during the European campaign. I hadn't heard much about him prior to this. He certainly seemed to come from a different mould to the other candidates (Stephen Agnew of the Greens excepted). He appeared to bring both youthful eagerness and a certain statesmanship that belies his age. Probably would have made a great Alliance party leader though Naomi Long will take on that role sooner rather than later in my opinion. David Ford simply doesn't cut the mustard.
If the Conservatives campaign on a ticket of a shared future, tackling division, building sustainable growth, tackling law and order and developing the renewable sector I for one will vote for them in South Belfast.
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Naomi Long will take on that role sooner rather than later in my opinion. David Ford simply doesn't cut the mustard.
If you think David Ford doesn't "cut the mustard" you obviously never met him. He is a fine and able politician who works hard for his electorate, not some pretentious twit who knows he will get votes because he goes to the right church.
If the Conservatives campaign on a ticket of a shared future, tackling division, building sustainable growth, tackling law and order and developing the renewable sector I for one will vote for them in South Belfast.
How can a party based in England and who wish to maintain the Union call for a shared future? Are you aware of what a shared future means? Do you have any idea how this is achieved? Or are you just branding buzz words like vote for change and hoping it will make you sound like you know what you are talking about?
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the Conservatives have shown by their treatment of the last speaker of the commons, Michael Martin, that they are not above a bit of sectarianism themselves - the nickname 'gorbals mick' says it all. wake up and grasp reality - the UU and the Conservatives are a fine match
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