15/01/2013
UUP's Fred Cobain Joins DUP
Ulster Unionist MLA Fred Cobain has defected to the DUP.
The 66-year-old had been a member of the UUP for over 30 years, but has now decided to join his former party's unionist rivals.
The announcement was made at a news conference at Stormont with party leader and First Minister Peter Robinson and DUP deputy leader, Nigel Dodds.
Mr Cobain said the UUP was "riven with personal and policy difficulties" and was "politically exhausted".
"I don't think they have any new ideas or big ideas", he said, adding that he had been "disillusioned with the party for a number of months".
Mr Cobain is now the third high profile UUP politician to leave the party since Mike Nesbitt took over as leader last March.
In May 2012, the UUP expelled David McNarry, while in August 2012 Lord Maginnis of Drumglass resigned after being disciplined over comments he made that homosexuality was "unnatural and deviant".
In October, John McCallister was stripped of his position as UUP deputy leader following a speech he made criticising unionist unity.
Peter Robinson said Mr Cobain had "a wealth of political experience".
"As Chairman of the Social Development Committee in the last Assembly, Fred was known as a champion for those with social and economic problems," he said.
"I know Fred will be a valuable member of the DUP and will have an important role to play in the party as we continue to move Northern Ireland forward."
Mr Cobain added: "The DUP provides strong representation on our constitutional future, but I also know first-hand of the work done to improve the lives of ordinary people in many communities across North Belfast and beyond.
"I am delighted to be part of a strong and united DUP team and look forward to playing a role in delivering a better future for everyone in Northern Ireland."
(IT)
The 66-year-old had been a member of the UUP for over 30 years, but has now decided to join his former party's unionist rivals.
The announcement was made at a news conference at Stormont with party leader and First Minister Peter Robinson and DUP deputy leader, Nigel Dodds.
Mr Cobain said the UUP was "riven with personal and policy difficulties" and was "politically exhausted".
"I don't think they have any new ideas or big ideas", he said, adding that he had been "disillusioned with the party for a number of months".
Mr Cobain is now the third high profile UUP politician to leave the party since Mike Nesbitt took over as leader last March.
In May 2012, the UUP expelled David McNarry, while in August 2012 Lord Maginnis of Drumglass resigned after being disciplined over comments he made that homosexuality was "unnatural and deviant".
In October, John McCallister was stripped of his position as UUP deputy leader following a speech he made criticising unionist unity.
Peter Robinson said Mr Cobain had "a wealth of political experience".
"As Chairman of the Social Development Committee in the last Assembly, Fred was known as a champion for those with social and economic problems," he said.
"I know Fred will be a valuable member of the DUP and will have an important role to play in the party as we continue to move Northern Ireland forward."
Mr Cobain added: "The DUP provides strong representation on our constitutional future, but I also know first-hand of the work done to improve the lives of ordinary people in many communities across North Belfast and beyond.
"I am delighted to be part of a strong and united DUP team and look forward to playing a role in delivering a better future for everyone in Northern Ireland."
(IT)
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