I suspect that Peter McCann, the Conservative parliamentary “nominee” for South Belfast, must be getting somewhat frustrated with the slow progress from the UUP on joint candidate selection.
I hear on the grapevine that David Cameron was hoping to announce the 18 Northern Ireland Conservative candidates weeks ago – but that stone-walling by the UUP has resulted in a Cameron visit to Northern Ireland being postponed twice.
So the Conservative nominees are beginning to get very annoyed – especially Peter.
Evidence of this can be seen on Peter McCann’s new Facebook group, Peter McCann for Parliament.
Here’s how Peter describes the progress to date on his selection. I’ve highlighted the key sections in bold. [Editor's note - I gather the copy on the Facebook page has now been altered. What appears below is the original copy as it appeared at time of writing of this post]…
2008 Conservative Party leader David Cameron calls for a new generation of politicians to come forward to change politics in Northern Ireland. Cameron is seeking to break the sectarian and sexist stranglehold that is a cancer infecting all levels of life.
The Conservative Party agrees an electoral pact with the Ulster Unionists. Together they fight the European Election.
April 2009, Peter McCann joins the Conservative Party.
A Tory funded campaign in the European Election returns Jim Nicholson in second place in the count. Nicholson takes the Conservative Whip in the European Parliament. The DUP are well beaten into third place.
The Conservative and Unionist Pact continues for the Westminster Election, again it is funded by the Tory Party.
Peter is approached by Shadow Secretary of State for NI, Owen Paterson, and recruited to enter elected politics.
Peter is selected by the Conservative Party as qualified and suitable to serve as a Conservative Party Member of Parliament in June 2009.
In October 2009 Peter is chosen by South Belfast Conservative Association as their nominee for the next Westminster election.
January 2010, Peter is still waiting for the UUP to agree the joint candidate for South Belfast. Time ticks on and the election draws closer.
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