Ulster Unionist councillor defects to UKIP ?

Sovereignty NI · 07-02-2007, 07:55 PM

The following was posted on a thread about the Northern Ireland Conservatives on the Slugger O'Toole blog.

http://sluggerotoole.com/index.php/w...istening-mode/

Post 25

"Menawhile, Henry Reilly is the latest UUP councillor to leave the sinking ship, but has instead joined UKIP, a party that was once linked to Bob McCartney. Shows how far the NI tories have to go before being seen as the natural home for chickenhearted UUPers."

Can anyone shed any light ? He's still listed as an Ulster Unionist on the Newry & Mourne council and UUP websites.

arden forester · 07-02-2007, 08:44 PM

Is this the councillor?

http://www.newryandmourne.gov.uk/gen...rs_mournes.asp

Sovereignty NI · 07-02-2007, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arden forester

Is this the councillor?

http://www.newryandmourne.gov.uk/gen...rs_mournes.asp

Thats the one

Independent UKIP · 07-02-2007, 11:58 PM

This is a bit of a weird situation I think. UKIP does not organise in Northern Ireland and all things considered I wouldn't expect the party to start doing so now. But if people in Northen Ireland want to join UKIP & properly establish UKIP within Northern Ireland I am happy to support that. Maybe though this is just one individual dissatisfied with the UUP but unwilling to join the DUP. I will certainly be very interested if there are any UKIP candidates in the forthcoming local elections in Northern Ireland. I see from the electoral commission website that UKIP, UKUP and NIUP are all still registered political parties in Northern Ireland though I'm not aware of any recent activities by them.

ukiwi · 08-02-2007, 12:49 AM

Given the reference to Bob McCartney, I would think they are referring to UKUP, rather than UKIP.

Sorry folks.

Tom Wilde · 08-02-2007, 12:52 AM

I'm flabberghasted. I thought that when UKIP finally gained its first councillor outside England, he or she would almost certainly be in Wales. I never would have guessed that we'd suddenly pick up a defector in Northern Ireland. Anyway, it's good news, if true. Is there any independent confirmation of this report?

Tom Wilde · 08-02-2007, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ukiwi

Given the reference to Bob McCartney, I would think they are referring to UKUP, rather than UKIP.

Sorry folks.

I'm not so sure. It says "linked to" Bob McCartney, rather than "the party of Bob McCartney". UKIP was indeed linked to Bob McCartney, as UKIP and UKUP used to have a formal alliance.

Independent UKIP · 08-02-2007, 01:01 AM

Has anyone emailed him about this? I haven't but if things remain unclear over the next few days will do so.

Sovereignty NI · 08-02-2007, 07:53 AM

All I have seen is that 1 post on the Slugger O'Toole blog. I can't find any independent confirmation.

It might just be a rumour.

SponPlague · 08-02-2007, 09:47 AM

There was indeed an alliance. Bob, when an MP, spoke at many a conference, and made MP hospitality facilities available to UKIP (meeting rooms for receptions etc.)

He has been a generous friend to the party.

07-02-2007, 07:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
Sovereignty NI Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 112	Ulster Unionist councillor defects to UKIP ? The following was posted on a thread about the Northern Ireland Conservatives on the Slugger O'Toole blog. http://sluggerotoole.com/index.php/w...istening-mode/ Post 25 "Menawhile, Henry Reilly is the latest UUP councillor to leave the sinking ship, but has instead joined UKIP, a party that was once linked to Bob McCartney. Shows how far the NI tories have to go before being seen as the natural home for chickenhearted UUPers." Can anyone shed any light ? He's still listed as an Ulster Unionist on the Newry & Mourne council and UUP websites.

07-02-2007, 08:44 PM	#2 (permalink)
arden forester Uber Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Solihull, in The Forest of Arden, Warwickshire! Posts: 2,763 Party: None	Is this the councillor? http://www.newryandmourne.gov.uk/gen...rs_mournes.asp __________________ www.ardenforester.blogspot.com

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07-02-2007, 11:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
Independent UKIP Uber Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: London Posts: 2,492	This is a bit of a weird situation I think. UKIP does not organise in Northern Ireland and all things considered I wouldn't expect the party to start doing so now. But if people in Northen Ireland want to join UKIP & properly establish UKIP within Northern Ireland I am happy to support that. Maybe though this is just one individual dissatisfied with the UUP but unwilling to join the DUP. I will certainly be very interested if there are any UKIP candidates in the forthcoming local elections in Northern Ireland. I see from the electoral commission website that UKIP, UKUP and NIUP are all still registered political parties in Northern Ireland though I'm not aware of any recent activities by them.

08-02-2007, 12:49 AM	#5 (permalink)
ukiwi Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 10	Given the reference to Bob McCartney, I would think they are referring to UKUP, rather than UKIP. Sorry folks.

08-02-2007, 12:52 AM	#6 (permalink)
Tom Wilde Moderator Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: London. Posts: 2,924	I'm flabberghasted. I thought that when UKIP finally gained its first councillor outside England, he or she would almost certainly be in Wales. I never would have guessed that we'd suddenly pick up a defector in Northern Ireland. Anyway, it's good news, if true. Is there any independent confirmation of this report?

08-02-2007, 01:01 AM	#8 (permalink)
Independent UKIP Uber Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: London Posts: 2,492	Has anyone emailed him about this? I haven't but if things remain unclear over the next few days will do so.

08-02-2007, 07:53 AM	#9 (permalink)
Sovereignty NI Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 112	All I have seen is that 1 post on the Slugger O'Toole blog. I can't find any independent confirmation. It might just be a rumour.

08-02-2007, 09:47 AM	#10 (permalink)
SponPlague Uber Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Zurich Posts: 3,401	There was indeed an alliance. Bob, when an MP, spoke at many a conference, and made MP hospitality facilities available to UKIP (meeting rooms for receptions etc.) He has been a generous friend to the party.