Tom Elliott not on board

The UUP's selected candidate for the Fermanagh and South Tyrone constituency (FST) in next year's Westminster election, Tom Elliott, appears not to fully support the UCUNF policy of standing in every constituency.

In response to the DUP's campaign to have a single 'unionist unity' candidate in FST, Elliott has replied that he would be "open" to discussions on an agreed unionist candidate for the constituency.

However, rather than parrot his party's line about that single candidate being a UCUNF candidate, Elliott said that:

"I'm not ruling in or out anything. However, it would take a lot for Ulster Unionism to stand aside. I don't see the practical outworkings of it if the DUP think they are going to be a single candidate and win the seat, but all of that is a matter for discussion."

Presumably, then, he did not get the memo from headquarters about David Cameron's pledge to stand Tories (including UCUNF wannabes) in every constituency?

Is the DUP succeeding in its campaign to entice UUP members away from their UCUNF non-merger? It is clear from rustlings in the undergrowth in South Belfast, and now in Fermanagh and South Tyrone that not all UUP members are fully behind the UCUNF project.

Expect a swift slap-down from UUP headquarters and a 'clarification' from Elliott very soon.