South Belfast - the only unionist candidate confirms her nomination.

I'm delighted to hear that the Conservatives and Unionists have not yielded to the ceaseless Ulster nationalist campaign to have one little Ulsterman stand in South Belfast. This news has taken a while to come but Paula Bradshaw has confirmed on Facebook that she will offer voters, including me, a chance to participate in proper UK politics. She has issued a plea for other candidates to focus on issues. I doubt she'll get her wish.

In a startling development, it also appears that Jimmy Spratt offered Bradshaw his Assembly seat in order to bribe her to step down from the Westminster race! What utter contempt for democracy.

Paula's statement below.

"The voters I have spoken to across the constituency have become more and more weary of the DUP trying to engineer a divide based along sectarian lines rather than on the issues at stake in this election. This election is far too important for DUP stunts.

"The fact is Jimmy Spratt has already admitted he cannot win the seat, that is why he wants me to withdraw from the contest. I have always been clear, from the reception I am getting from all parts of the community in South Belfast, that I am the only pro-Union candidate who can take the seat.

"I look forward to debating the issues in a friendly and respectful manner with Alasdair McDonnell, Anna Lo and others. There is still time for the DUP to join this debate on the issues, but it will require a move from uncosted proposals and a fantasy manifesto to some serious policy proposals on the real concerns of people across South Belfast.

"I will most certainly not be bullied into walking away by Peter Robinson and his party, who have let down their own voters by breaking pledge after pledge.

"The fact that Sinn Fein has now joined the DUP in its sectarian stunts only makes me more determined to win the seat and give this diverse constituency the full-time representation at Westminster that it deserves."


Comments

O'Neill said…
Congratulations to Paula and others for standing up to the bullies!
20 April 2010 at 18:07
Anonymous said…
Offered a job at £45K a year with pension = bullying. Very odd definition of bullying
20 April 2010 at 19:24
Dewi Harries said…
So FST moves OK?....mmm not in SB - strange...
20 April 2010 at 19:30
O'Neill said…
No, that was a grubby bribe unworthy of any party which considers itself democratic.

The bullying is what has been taking place over the last several weeks, but admitedly not only on the part of the DUPes.
20 April 2010 at 19:30
Owen Polley said…
How is it strange? SF are different to the SDLP. I would have thought that that much is obvious.
20 April 2010 at 19:38
Gary said…
Well done Paula!!
20 April 2010 at 20:58
Sam Thompson said…
Three weeks ago, Paula may have had a different outlook, but I believe that she has recieved very positive responses on the doorsteps. She is an extremely hard worker, personable and is a fresh face. If anyone is going to challenge Alasdair McDonnell, it will be Paula, not splitter Spratt. I wish her all the best. I'm no Tory, but if they start to win seats here, Labour may have to rethink their opposition to standing candidates. That would be a good thing for Ulster
20 April 2010 at 21:19
Anonymous said…
Let's concentrate on the squalid sectarianism of Sinn Fein for operating a pan-nationalist front instead of lacerating ourselves endlessly.

The SDLP has been given a bye-ball in South Belfast and the electorate needs to be reminded McDonnell is now the Sinn Fein-preferred candidate.
21 April 2010 at 12:08
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