UK opposition party reps hold debate in NI

British Conservative party members in Northern Ireland are to join British Labour Party counterparts for a debate on the need for both organisations to have constituency associations in the North.

Belfast trades unionist and Labour Party member Andy McGivern will be joined by a local Tory for a debate in Belfast on Monday to press Tony Blair’s party to set up constituency associations.

Last year the Labour Party overturned a 79-year ban on people in Northern Ireland becoming party members when Mr McGivern threatened to take the leadership to court on a race discrimination case.

However Northern Ireland members of the party have been frustrated by the party's National Executive’s refusal to allow them to set up local constituency parties.

They argue the move denies Northern Ireland members the right to nominate colleagues from the North to party forums and the National Executive.