The runners and riders - UCUNF
Eight more candidates selected this morning.
Rodney McCune in East Antrim.
Lesley McAuley in East Londonderry.
Paula Bradshaw South belfast
Foyle is David Harding
Irwin Armstrong takes North Antrim.
Ian Parsley North Down.
Tom Elliott Fermanagh South Tyrone
So only the tricky South Antrim decision remains elusive. It could well produce a bit of a surprise.
Rodney McCune in East Antrim.
Lesley McAuley in East Londonderry.
Paula Bradshaw South belfast
Foyle is David Harding
Irwin Armstrong takes North Antrim.
Ian Parsley North Down.
Tom Elliott Fermanagh South Tyrone
So only the tricky South Antrim decision remains elusive. It could well produce a bit of a surprise.
Comments
I wonder when the South Antrim one will be declared. It's crucial as that is an eminently winnable seat with the right candidate.
And to Chekov for trumping both the MSM and Slugger!
As I understand UCUNF, the Joint Committee only approves a candidate once there is a choice of names between a UUP nominee and a Tory nominee. I am not aware of any Tory being nominated thus far.
I imagine the delay in what ought to be a crucial marginal is over Watson's views on civil partnerships not being quite Notting Hill-esque. (The same could have been said for Burnside, Forsythe and Molyneaux etc.) If he is thus overlooked in favour of some Tory plucked from thin air, then I suspect he will go public with his anger about being shafted on account of his Christian views. Just what the UUP needs, eh.
(On a related point, anyone who wants to win any marginal anywhere needs to have been selected and doing the spadework for months in advance.)
To be watched with interest.
South Antrim candidacy perhaps depends on who is the least controversial for Conservative HQ in London - alleged homophobe or alleged sexual discrimination.
Without a ‘star’ name there was no alternative but to endorse the UUP nominees for South Belfast and Fermanagh & South Tyrone. Whether it is enough for the DUP not to run - only time will tell.
Having stood only three candidates at the last general election - none of whom were successful or re-nominated - it is hard for the Conservatives to argue for more than three again.
Overall today should show the Conservatives that ‘normalising’ Northern Ireland politics is a long-term project, with more at stake than unionist head counting.
Cameron must be delighted!
You say not a Conservative, which punches a hole in my initial theory when I saw the first 17. On seeing Duncan Crossey omitted, I'd thought he might be in line for a parachute landing in SA. Close links with Conservative central office, a local background and, if what I recall someone telling me is correct, the elusive UCUNF Catholic (obviously I could be totally wrong on that), it seemed that he might have been considered "too good to waste" on East Londonderry
East Londonderry, South Belfast, West Belfast, East Belfast and Strangford are just 5 seats off the top of my head that look nothing like the comment above.
Is this a case of sour grapes that the UUP candidates look more like Conservative candidates than the Conservative Candidates?
It is great to see many fresh faces, with fresh ideas and no political baggage, getting a chance to enter the scene.
Many of these candidates will make excellent MLA's if they are not successful this time - what do the other parties have to offer in the way of fresh faces, fresh ideas and no political baggage?