Strong Tory links will break tribal mould: local UUP chair

Speaking exclusively to the Londonderry Sentinel, Mr Wright welcomed reports of continuing links between the Unionist and Conservative parties in the wake of Lord Feldman, Co-Chairman of the Conservative Party’s letter to UUP Leader Tom Elliott MLA.

“During the period when I was Deputy Chairman of the Ulster Unionist Party links between the Conservative and the UUP became stronger and more formal,” he told the paper.

“It was a development that had strong support within the Party Executive and I, along with others, believed it offered potential and promise for Unionism.

“It remains my personal view that the reasons which provided the rationale for the project are still in place today, perhaps even more so, and I therefore welcome the contacts that have been taking place,” he stated.

Mr Wright said the parties’ historical links were weakened in the 1970s and 1980s as the Conservatives moved towards a more neutral position on the retention of Northern Ireland within the Union.

However, under David Cameron, the Conservative party proposed the Ulster Conservatives and Unionists New Force (UCUNF) initiative which Mr Wright claims brought electoral success for Jim Nicholson MEP in the European elections.

“I firmly believe that Sir (now Lord) Reg Empey, UUP leader at the time was correct to pursue the strategy and whilst, for a number of reasons, electoral success proved more elusive in the Westminster elections it left a legacy that can be built upon given the will to do so,” said Mr Wright.

“All unionists must surely recognise that voters in Northern Ireland have been isolated for too long from national politics and aspire to addressing this effectively and de facto, strengthening the union at the same time.

“It will also offer the opportunity to engage in politics which break the mould of the type of communal politics which characterise Stormont,” he added.

Mr Wright claimed: “Were it not for the constructive voice of individuals like Lord Empey in the House of Lords, the voice of Northern Ireland unionism at Westminster from Northern Ireland would be largely unheard at a time of economic difficulty and uncertainty.

“It is this situation which, in my view, provides the mandate for seeking closer ties between the Conservative and Unionist parties and I therefore welcome and support the current Party leader Tom Elliot, MLA who, whilst finding certain proposals in the letter from Lord Feldman unacceptable promises a debate on the matter within the party and wishes to keep channels of communication open.”