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04/09/2003
Beggs calls for rebel MPs to re-take Unionist whip
East Antrim MP, Roy Beggs has called on the three rebel Ulster Unionist MPs to apply to re-take the party Whip when Parliament resumes later this month.
Mr Beggs, who is also Ulster Unionist Chief Whip at Westminster, said that such a move by the Rev Martin Smyth, Jeffrey Donaldson and David Burnside would help to restore the discipline and unity of the party, and help political progress to be made in the autumn.
Speaking ahead of the latest Ulster Unionist Council meeting this Saturday, Mr Beggs said: “A great strength of the Ulster Unionist Party has always been its diversity and firm belief in freedom of speech and democratic debate. However, a party must have proper discipline, otherwise it simply cannot function and give proper political leadership to its electorate.
"From recent meetings in my constituency, I detect that two things grassroots Ulster Unionists deeply desire is party unity and loyalty to the democratically expressed will of the UUC. Further splits in the unionist family help no one."
This weekend's Council debate follows a failed attempt by the UUP to suspend the MPs from the party.
A High Court judge ruled that such a move contravened party rules.
A second ongoing disciplinary action was subsequently undertaken by the party hierarchy.
(MB)
Mr Beggs, who is also Ulster Unionist Chief Whip at Westminster, said that such a move by the Rev Martin Smyth, Jeffrey Donaldson and David Burnside would help to restore the discipline and unity of the party, and help political progress to be made in the autumn.
Speaking ahead of the latest Ulster Unionist Council meeting this Saturday, Mr Beggs said: “A great strength of the Ulster Unionist Party has always been its diversity and firm belief in freedom of speech and democratic debate. However, a party must have proper discipline, otherwise it simply cannot function and give proper political leadership to its electorate.
"From recent meetings in my constituency, I detect that two things grassroots Ulster Unionists deeply desire is party unity and loyalty to the democratically expressed will of the UUC. Further splits in the unionist family help no one."
This weekend's Council debate follows a failed attempt by the UUP to suspend the MPs from the party.
A High Court judge ruled that such a move contravened party rules.
A second ongoing disciplinary action was subsequently undertaken by the party hierarchy.
(MB)
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