PUP elect first Londonderry man as deputy leader

LOYALISM in Londonderry has received a significant boost with the election of the first man from the city to the hierarchy of the Progressive Unionist Party (PUP).

Nigel Gardiner was elected as Deputy Leader of the PUP last weekend as the party moved on after the resignation of its last leader Dawn Purvis, who quit in the wake of the UVF murder of Belfast man Bobby Moffett in June. The local branch of the party has also signalled its intent to field a candidate for next year's council elections.

Brian Ervine, brother of former PUP leader David Ervine, was elected to replace Ms Purvis and has stated his intent of carrying on 'his brother's legacy'.

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The majority of the PUP membership also voted overwhelmingly to retain its links with the UVF, whilst the new leader simultaneously pledged to "clean up criminality on our streets."

The election of a Londonderry man to an elevated position within the PUP is being heralded as a highly significant development for loyalist representation for the city as well as the North West in general.

Speaking to the Sentinel Mr Gardiner said: "I became involved with the PUP around 13 years ago. I was inspired by David Ervine's brand of politics having always been interested in socialist politics."

The former UDR man comes from a background within the community and voluntary sector and gained experience by working with the Irish Street Community Association.

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The PUP man said that his previous experience had served him well for his new role. "I tried to build bridges between various groups in the Waterside and extended these across the city-working with every group within the city regardless of class, creed or culture."

Nigel Gardiner readily recognised that his election represents a new departure for loyalism in the North West. Where once loyalist political parties were largely considered to be 'flags of convenience', there appears to be a determination within the newly reorganised PUP to hone in on relationships with the working class community.

"We want to engage with people who have emerged from conflict. We need to learn from the past, not repeat it," said Nigel Gardiner.

The PUP man said that the party is gauging a growing dissatisfaction within the community towards mainstream unionist representatives.

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"They are good at shouting at each other across rooms but never appear to actually achieve anything," he said.

To this end the PUP officially confirmed that they will run a candidate in the 2011 local elections and may well also field a runner in the Assembly poll. When asked who the council candidate would be, the party said that they had narrowed it down to a single person, but at this point would not reveal their identity.

The PUP also said that they will participate in the major peace conference planned for the city next month. Representatives of all the main combatant groups in the Troubles will converge at the City Hotel in November for discussions on the way forward in Northern Ireland and also educate young people on the mistakes of the past.

PUP representative, Leslie Mitchell told the Sentinel that whilst this type of work had been going on for years, he feels that it is time that it was highlighted.

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"On a basic level, if we were back to square one tomorrow, it would be hard to go back to war as on a personal level many relationships have been built up. But, we are committed to peaceful means and the transformation of society."