Lords Debate Splits Unionism

As the Government's controversial 42-day detention Bill is debated in the House of Lords later today, previous support for Gordon Brown's make-or-break Bill in the Commons by Northern Ireland's biggest party, the DUP, is again underling the fractious nature of its relationship with fellow unionists. The two main unionist parties are now set for a showdown on opposite sides of the debate as, despite long declared aspirations of 'unionist unity' by new DUP boss, First Minister Peter Robinson, it's not to be. Northern Ireland is already being forced into a by-election in rural Co Fermanagh as the UUP has objected to the DUP's choice choice of candidate for co-option, triggering a divisive election. While the DUP is claiming that forcing the election will hand the seat to Sinn Fein - in what is effectively a local UUP and DUP... [read full story]