North elections: Pulling out candidate was 'toughest decision'

A decision by Northern Ireland’s Alliance Party to pull out of the North Down constituency in favour of David Trimble’s Ulster Unionist Party was one of the toughest decisions it has had to make, leader Sean Neeson said tonight.

The head of the cross-community party revealed there had been some opposition in the ranks to the idea.

‘‘This was probably one of the most difficult decisions the party has had to face for a considerable time,’’ Mr Neeson said.

‘‘We consulted widely and allowed the North Down Association to make its mind up on what it wanted to do.

‘‘Obviously some people did not want us to withdraw, but the general consensus of opinion was that we should step down.

‘‘We did not want a repeat of the February 1974 General Election scenario with pro-power sharing candidates being defeated at the polls.’’

The East Antrim MLA was speaking after Stephen Farry withdrew to boost UUP candidate Lady Sylvia Hermon’s chances of unseating anti-Good Friday Agreement MP, Robert McCartney.

Mr Neeson insisted his party’s decision was for the good of the Agreement and not a pro-Unionist decision.

He denied claims the party had committed electoral suicide by endorsing Lady Sylvia, wife of former RUC Chief Constable Sir John Hermon.

‘‘I think Alliance will actually emerge from this strengthened in many ways,’’ Mr Neeson said.

‘‘People recognise what we have done is for the good of the Agreement. We are showing leadership. We are showing statesmanship.

‘‘We are putting party interest aside in one of our strongest constituencies for the good of the Agreement to ensure the strongest pro-Agreement candidates win because that is in the best interests of the Agreement.’’

Alliance’s withdrawal was hailed as ‘‘very brave’’ by Lady Hermon who is being touted as the favourite to win North Down.

‘‘I noticed how many traditional Alliance voters had found themselves in the very difficult position of not wanting to waste their vote but were torn between party loyalty and another pro-Agreement candidate,’’ she said.

UK Unionist leader Robert McCartney claimed the Alliance Party had consigned itself to a ‘‘very dismal future’’.

He said: ‘‘Alliance members in North Down will, I believe, be absolutely dismayed at this decision.

‘‘The assumption that their votes are for sale or disposal at the behest of the Ulster Unionists will antagonise many of them who will either stay at home or vote for the SDLP.’’

The Ulster Unionists’ hopes of retaining Fermanagh and South Tyrone suffered a setback, however, when an anti-Agreement candidate who pulled out of the race last Tuesday re-entered the contest.

Independent unionist Jim Dixon, who survived the IRA’s 1987 Enniskillen bomb and withdrew from the race last Tuesday, alleging dirty tricks, announced he was re-entering because of overwhelming public support.