Hermon UUP Selection Quandary

Ulster Unionists have until this evening to select the party's North Down Westminster candidate, amid continued resistance from incumbent Lady Hermon over a Tory electoral pact.

The UUP and Conservative Party have agreed to field joint candidates in every Northern Ireland constituency at this year's General Election.

Under the current process both parties each put forward a name for all 18 constituencies. A joint committee then decides who will vie for the seat under a Ulster Conservatives and Unionist - New Force (UCUNF) banner.

Lady Hermon, (pictured) the UUP's sole MP, has made her opposition to the link-up very clear. Her official nomination by the party remains outstanding, whilst the Tories have already picked former Alliance European Election runner Ian Parsley to stand in North Down.

He defected to the Conservative Party last year.

Reports of a mooted dispensation for Lady Hermon have been played down. She has made it clear she would not take the Tory whip, which would force her to back the party on certain Commons votes.

A compromise could see the popular Lady Hermon stand as purely a UUP runner, but would - if re-elected - back the Tories on key votes.

She herself has recognised how difficult and complicated such an arrangement would be.

Conservatives would expect her to sign up to the party's election manifesto should she gain its support.

Lady Hermon famously said she was "not a Tory, never have been, never will be".

The UUP/Tory agreement was made in 2008 and has already seen the two parties field joint European Election candidates.

Sir Reg Empey, the UUP leader, has not ruled out the prospect of his party members taking Cabinet or ministerial positions within a future Conservative government.

Ulster Unionist members have until 5pm today to formally nominate Lady Hermon to fight for her Commons seat.

(PR/GK)