UUP and Tories to cement partnership

British Conservative Party MP William Hague will pledge the Conservatives' support to the Ulster Unionist Party today and is expected to address the UUP’s annual conference.

The two political organisations have agreed to field joint candidates across the North at the next general election.

The British shadow foreign secretary aid that the initiative will give residents in the North more influence,

“This is an important new force here in politics in Northern Ireland because it's Conservatives and Ulster Unionists coming together and that's giving people in Northern Ireland the opportunity in changing the government at a United Kingdom level," he said.

“Not only to be involved in the politics of Northern Ireland but the politics of the entire United Kingdom and why shouldn't they have a vote in what happens to our economy, our foreign policy, what happens in Afghanistan it's very important for them to take part.”