Historic day for people of Fermanagh & South Tyrone

Historic day for people of Fermanagh & South Tyrone

In the Belfast News Letter on Friday Rodney Connor has made the following statement:

"Today I am announcing as a candidate for the constituency of Fermanagh and South Tyrone. I want to be a voice for the people of Fermanagh and South Tyrone at Westminster.

Through my work, over the years I believe that I have already demonstrated a proven track record of delivering in the constituency for people from right across the community. I know what Fermanagh and South Tyrone needs and I believe that I am well equipped to help deliver it.

Now more than ever it is essential that Fermanagh and South Tyrone has representation at Westminster. At a time of financial difficulties and recession it is vital that a constituency so far geographically removed from Westminster has its voice and influence maximised in the House of Commons.

While, if elected, I would sit as an independent, I am prepared to accept the Conservative Party whip. However on matters affecting Northern Ireland I shall vote on the basis of what I believe is in the best interests of the people of Fermanagh and South Tyrone."

Commenting after a meeting of the Fermanagh and South Tyrone DUP Association on Thursday evening where the Party unanimously endorsed Rodney Connor, the DUP’'s Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Arlene Foster said,

“I am delighted by the news that Rodney Connor has indicated that he is willing to stand as an independent candidate in the General Election in Fermanagh and South Tyrone. This follows many weeks of discussions and negotiations and represents a good and potentially historic day for Fermanagh and South Tyrone and for unionism.

When unionism is divided unionism is weakened. I have no doubt that Fermanagh and South Tyrone can set the example for other areas in Northern Ireland to follow.

The DUP has always made it clear that we are prepared to step aside in the event that an independent unionist candidate could be agreed. I have no doubt that Rodney Connor is such a candidate and I give him my, and my party’s wholehearted and unqualified support.

I have known Rodney Connor for many years and know him to be of the utmost integrity and of the highest character. I have no doubt he can galvanise the votes of those who want to see Fermanagh and South Tyrone represented at Westminster. The next few weeks will see Rodney Connor take his campaign to every part of the constituency. I will be delighted to be part of that campaign.

I hope that after May 6th Fermanagh and South Tyrone can again have its voice heard at Westminster. This would give an enormous boost to the entire unionist community.”

Commenting Lord Morrow of Clogher Valley said,

“I am delighted to endorse the candidature of Rodney Connor for the forthcoming General Election in Fermanagh and South Tyrone. For too long the people in this constituency have been deprived of representation in Westminster and its now time to put things right. I will be urging people across the constituency who want an MP who sits in Westminster to vote for Rodney on May 6th.”

N.Ireland has the greatest opportunity in a generation

First Minister and DUP Leader Rt. Hon. Peter Robinson MP has outlined the DUP’s approach to “the most open General election contest in a generation." Commenting from Westminster Mr Robinson said,

“This election presents the Northern Ireland electorate with the greatest opportunity in a generation. Every vote in the House of Commons will count. Therefore we need to send MPs to Westminster who will always vote in the interests of Northern Ireland.

It is an open contest with the polls indicating that neither Labour nor the Conservatives will command a working majority. I will be urging the electorate to seize the moment and ensure that Northern Ireland returns Democratic Unionist MPs who will vote on every decision in the best interests of Northern Ireland.

I will be taking a positive message to the doorsteps and asking the people to vote DUP to keep Northern Ireland moving forward. Whilst other parties are divided and visionless the DUP is offering the electorate a strategy to strengthen Northern Ireland and unionism.

Sinn Fein MPs wont use their votes in the House of Commons for their constituents whilst the SDLP aligns itself with the Labour whips. UCUNF candidates are committed to vote with the Conservative party even though that could mean voting for double digit cuts in the Northern Ireland budget. Only the DUP will always do what is in the best interests of Ulster.

As can be witnessed in both Fermanagh & South Tyrone and South Belfast, even though it is in unionism’s interests to have unity candidates the UUP is helpless because their Conservative masters will not agree to single candidates. Such a selfish approach is not good for Northern Ireland in this election. There are fourteen days until close of nominations and I trust the UUP will not allow their Tory paymasters to destroy this once in a generation opportunity.

I am looking forward to the election and unlike other Parties I can assure the electorate that on every vote in the next House of Commons the DUP’s MPs will take a strong and united stand for Northern Ireland.”