DUP and UUP strike unity candidate deal

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) have agreed to field one unity candidate in each of four general election constituencies in one of the most far-reaching eve-of-poll pacts for decades.

East Belfast, North Belfast, and the border constituencies of Newry and Armagh and Fermanagh and South Tyrone will be covered.

Party strategists aim to increase the number of unionists at Westminster with the odds of a hung Parliament and increased influence for the smaller parties high.

DUP leader Peter Robinson said: “This is the most comprehensive electoral agreement between our two parties in the last 29 years.”

For months most experts have been predicting that not only will neither the Conservatives nor Labour be able to command an overall majority in the Commons or form a coalition with one of the smaller parties – it appears that one or other of them will have to assemble some form of patchwork alliance involving multiple parties, or run as a minority administration with no guarantee it can get its business through the House.

The DUP, the largest party from the North represented in the Commons, has said it will support a government in a hung parliament if there is agreement to scrap the so-called bedroom tax, commitments on defence spending and securing UK borders.

Unionists face a challenge at the polls from Jim Allister’s hardline Traditional Unionist Voice, which opposes Sinn Fein’s inclusion in powersharing at Stormont. Ukip is to run a series of candidates in Northern Ireland which may also erode the mainstream unionist vote.

In East Belfast the DUP and UUP will encourage support for Gavin Robinson, a former Belfast City Council Lord Mayor.

Peter Robinson lost his seat in the last election to Alliance’s Naomi Long by around 1,500 votes.

In Fermanagh & South Tyrone both parties will encourage support for senior Ulster Unionist Tom Elliott. Sinn Fein’s Michelle Gildernew took the seat by a mere four votes last time after another unionist unity candidate ran against her.

In North Belfast both parties will encourage support for incumbent Nigel Dodds, deputy leader of the DUP.

In 2010 in North Belfast Mr Dodds polled 14,812 votes, with Sinn Fein’s Gerry Kelly on 12,588.

In Newry & Armagh both parties will encourage support for Ulster Unionist Danny Kennedy, Stormont’s regional development minister. The incumbent is Sinn Féin’s Conor Murphy.

Mr Robinson added: “Those who support the Union will recognise the significance of this pact.”

It is the product of discussions lasting six months.

“I want to see unionists co-operating. Too often divisions are manufactured to create difference. Grassroots unionists want to see us working together to maximise the unionist vote.

“Such an approach is not just desirable, but it has been proven to be effective in increasing turnout amongst unionists.

“With a predicted hung parliament, I am calling on all unionists to unite behind these agreed candidates and maximise the pro-union voice in the House of Commons.”

Sinn Fein MPs do not take their seats in Westminster.