DUP and UUP fail to reach agreement on anti-SF pact

The Democratic Unionist Party and Ulster Unionist Party have failed to reach agreement on an anti-Sinn Féin electoral pact ahead of the upcoming British general election.

Representatives of the two parties attended talks arranged by the Orange Order today to discuss the possible pact, which would mainly be aimed at preventing Sinn Féin from becoming the largest Northern party at Westminster, which is a possibility in the May election.

Although the UUP and DUP are currently bitter enemies, united unionist candidates could defeat SDLP and Sinn Féin candidates in two constituencies - Fermanagh/South Tyrone and South Belfast.

Despite failing to reach a deal today, the DUP did agree to study UUP proposals for a joint unionist campaign in the May ballot.