Impartial Reporter and its Lisburn reader
| 17:02 UK time, Friday, 23 July 2010
Lagan Valley MLA Basil McCrea is taking a keen interest in the Impartial Reporter these days. Not least its latest feature on Fermanagh MLA Tom Elliott and his bid for the leadership. Mr Elliott outlines his "vision of a disciplined party" as he is flanked by newcomer Mike Nesbitt and UUP veteran Lord Maginnis.
So far Tom Elliott is the only contender for leader - although most pundits are predicting Basil McCrea will soon enter the battle.
Mr McCrea has been coy but he has mentioned the article on his facebook. Here's what he had to say:
"An interesting piece from Tom Elliot in the Impartial Reporter. Obviously rolling out his leadership campaign on the basis that first out seizes the initiative. Rumour has it that his manifesto will be released shortly. Good to see he is a stickler for party discipline."
A stickler for party discipline - now whatever could Mr McCrea mean?
Surely not a sarcastic remark about the Executive discussion which suggested there should be no campaign until the leader Sir Reg Empey goes?
Hmmm.
I'm 
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~27~RS~)
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Martina,
Does this mean we have to listen to more of the sound of Basil McCrea's voice? I look forward to the technology that will selectively phase out soundwaves from certain individuals. Either that or I will have to reach for the remote control - a last resort.
Love, PieMan
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In the past a phrase well oiled publicity machine was often used by begrudgers from within unionism to explain away the republican position on many contraversial issues. It as often used when a rational debate from within the unionist community would have been welcomed by all to further progess but alas was never forthcoming.
Now in hindsight those same unionists look to the republican movement with envy as republicanism and nationalism in general forgers ahead with self confidence and surety and ask quite righly what is going wrong?
The fight within the unionist party is but a side show for what is happening within the unionist communities and the need for copperfastened direction.
Watch again as this small part of unionism tears itself apart to get an alpha male to the top table and again the proud working class people of protestant stock stand by as they see thier lives and the thier long held belives and positions held in years gone by thrown to the wind for the sake of pride.
Not the same pride shown in areas of mass unemployment or the same pride shown in the run down houseing conditions or education achievment in the shankill and other working unionist areas were the union really does come first because the middle class and churches have told them to complain is to rebel. The same people of these areas are now wanting a real working class community based leadership to at least stem the republian tide but most of all give them the culture promised to them every 12th of july from the speechs from the field and if they are frustrated by thier own inept self serving political cronnies they might ask themselves what every right thinking person in the six counties is
asking and that is when will the leadership of unionism put the people fisrt? and tell the real truth of what has been bargained away for the sake of a self serving peerage here and a knighthood there.
Eyes wide open folks
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The battle for "leadership" of the Ulster Unionists is about as real as the sham fight at Scarva. Essentially it boils down to the Organge Order unionists versus non-Orange unionists. With McNarry and Kennedy backing Elliott the official but premature UU leadership candidate might as well be called Salters. I know of more people who have left the UU party and wouldn't rejoin than there are derelict buildings on the Shankill, Newtownards and Shore Road put together. Before the DUP get all worked up and excited these voters won't touch them with a banner pole either. If readers need an example of the OO influence they need look no further than S. Antrim where the influence of disgruntled UU rebels prevented the election of Sir Reg Empey, the current UU leader to Westminster. Bodes well for the future doesn't it. As they say " the future's bright...."
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If Basil McCrea wins the UUP leadership contest will he be their first leader who was born in Donegal?
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I hope Basil McCrea does win the leadership of the UU. He is the more progressive of the parties high rankers. The OO faction of the UU, is an obstacle to change. End of. Take your sashes off and vote for Basil!!!
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Tom Elliott also opposed the sale of NIE to ESB.
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/finance/2010/0708/1224274267168.html
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6. hoboroad
"Power cut in Belfast today caused by Republic Of Ireland government not giving our Protestant country enough electricity"
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Disgusted in Derry
And of course there is Tom Elliott's opposition to building border bridges.
http://ulstersdoomed.blogspot.com/2010/02/elliotts-border-fence.html
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
The leadership of the uup is an internal party decision and should be completely done as per the party rules and regulations. If someone goes on a solo run aided by senior party figures who have led this party to where it currently is politically then there is no vision for the future, the UUP needs a fresh dynamic outlook based on shared future policies and going back 50 years is not the way.
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8. hoboroad
The man needs to do some proper constituency work and end the sectarian politics. Children go hungry, while Tom Elliot is worried about cross border bridges and GAA bunting. Get your priorities right and stop playing the Orange card!!!
Basil McCrea is the man to change the fortune of the Ulster Unionist Party. He is progressive and would drive the party away from its orange and sectarian links. It is time for the Ulster Unionists to come in out of the cold. Shake off your worn clothes and get some new ones. With no Orange colours please. That would be to the benefit of us all!!!
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Hey disgusted ,
unfortunately i have to agree with you on this one i think Unionism and the UUP would be better off under McCrea , hes a better speaker , more charismatic and in my oppinion will apeal to more voters.
Tom i feel is too hard line for the UUP who are now the more progressive of the two mainstream Unionist parties. I also feel support for tom would be support for a single Unionist party . In my oppinion a single unionist party is not in the long term strategic interests of unionism .
Unionism needs to demonstrate that Northern Ireland is better off as part of the UK.....It needs to explain to people that they are better of in the Union .And it needs to build a shared society here in Northern Ireland where jobs , health care, education and the economy are the main focus not tribal politics.Basil is the Only person the UUP could elect who could achieve this.
To disagree somewhat with what disgusted says later though , I dont think Basil is anti Orange , hes just not in the order. I support the Orange order but i am not a member. I think you should take a leaf out of Micheal McDowells book ,,. Below is his exert from RTE
"Minister for Justice and Progressive Democrats leader Michael McDowell has said that 12 July should be made a national holiday in the Republic.
Mr McDowell said that if we were genuine republicans and if the orange panel in the flag meant anything, then we had to consider building an inclusive society."
I couldnt agree more ,
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12. randomjoe
I totally agree with your comments. I do have to point out one thing though: The flag of the Irish nation is burned on 11th night bonfires. This practice needs to end. It is disrespectful. If the Irish government is going to respect the 12th of July, then the people who burn the Tricolour on the 11th night need to desist; as do republicans who burn the Union flag. We all need to respect each other and desist from forcing our separate identities upon people who are not interested.
TAL
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I see Basil McCrea has upset the UDA's political spokesman.
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/Advisors-to-UDA-call-for.6441160.jp
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