Election Fever
I bumped into Arlene Foster at a dinner at Hillsborough castle last night and found her incandescent about the decision by the Ulster Unionist Bertie Kerr to force a council by-election in Fermanagh. The by-election follows the death of Councillor Joe Dodds, father of the DUP Deputy Leader Nigel Dodds. The Enterprise Minister repeated her sentiments on this morning's "Good Morning Ulster", whilst Bertie Kerr came on to defend his move.
Whatever the rights and wrongs of forcing the by-election, the contest should be, just like the Dromore election another interesting test of unionist opinion in this DUP/UUP/TUV era. On the republican side, could Gerry McHugh's supporters enter the fray?
It also raises the more general question about whether this will be the last by-election before Sammy Wilson pushes through co-option legislation which could deny Bertie Kerr or any other councillor the right to object. Much of this is already under discussion over at
Alas Fermanagh probably won't attract the Belfast beauty queen Gemma Garrett who is fast becoming a veteran of Westminster by-elections. Having contested Crewe and Nantwich, Miss Garrett a/k/a Miss Great Britain is currently opposing David Davis in Haltemprice and Howden. The Press Association reports today that she has been criticised by a rival candidate for donating £1000 to a local football team. Miss Garrett denies she was trying to buy votes. I am sure there are some Fermanagh soccer and gaelic teams who would welcome her entering the fray, and maybe not just for financial reasons.
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