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12/04/2005
McCartney to stand aside in North Down election
Former MP for North Down Robert McCartney has confirmed he will not be standing in this year’s general election for his former seat.
The UK Unionist leader, who won the seat in a by-election in 1997, said he was standing aside after securing a manifesto commitment from the DUP that it would not join an inclusive coalition with Sinn Fein.
Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster's 'Good Morning Ulster' programme on Tuesday, Mr McCartney said he had met with DUP leader Ian Paisley and his deputy Peter Robinson to seek assurances on the matter.
"They gave me a categorical assurance that they would in no circumstances enter an enforced coalition under the d'Hondt system or any other,” he said.
Mr McCartney said he had also gained a commitment from the DUP leadership that it would not enter into a voluntary coalition with republicans either.
The move will see an even tighter contest between sitting MP Lady Sylvia Hermon of the UUP and DUP candidate Peter Weir.
The presence of Alliance's candidate David Alderdice in this year’s poll could make the contest between the DUP and Ulster Unionists even closer.
(MB/GB)
The UK Unionist leader, who won the seat in a by-election in 1997, said he was standing aside after securing a manifesto commitment from the DUP that it would not join an inclusive coalition with Sinn Fein.
Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster's 'Good Morning Ulster' programme on Tuesday, Mr McCartney said he had met with DUP leader Ian Paisley and his deputy Peter Robinson to seek assurances on the matter.
"They gave me a categorical assurance that they would in no circumstances enter an enforced coalition under the d'Hondt system or any other,” he said.
Mr McCartney said he had also gained a commitment from the DUP leadership that it would not enter into a voluntary coalition with republicans either.
The move will see an even tighter contest between sitting MP Lady Sylvia Hermon of the UUP and DUP candidate Peter Weir.
The presence of Alliance's candidate David Alderdice in this year’s poll could make the contest between the DUP and Ulster Unionists even closer.
(MB/GB)
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