McLetchie calls for UUP to support devolution

The Scottish Tory leader made an unprecedented intervention in Northern Irish politics yesterday, pleading with unionists to back devolution and calling for them to put their message more strongly in Scotland to balance the high profile of the Dublin government.

David McLetchie addressed the annual conference of the party, effectively throwing the weight of the British Conservatives behind David Trimble's embattled leadership.

But choosing his language carefully, he invited the Ulster Unionists "into the body of the Kirk" of British politics. "You will find a warm welcome from your fellow unionists," he said.

It is an initiative that threatens to open up deep sectarian divisions in Scottish politics, which have long departed from most parts of the country. Scottish Conservatives used to have massive support from the sectarian Orange vote until the 1950s, and the decline of religious politics is seen as a key reason why the Tories went into long-term decline.

McLetchie called for new links between unionist parties in Northern Ireland and Scottish Tories, so that the Ulster Unionist cause could be heard. This, he said, was necessary to balance the high profile of the Irish government in Edinburgh, where it opened a consulate two years ago.

"Just when the Scottish Conservatives are coming to terms with devolution, many of you have reservations about continued participation in your Executive and assembly," the Lothians MSP said.

"If the new constitutional geometry of the UK is to work, we have to develop a whole new network of relationships between institutions and between parties."

In stressing his support for the unionist cause in Ireland, McLetchie pointed out that Scottish Tories support strong links with the Dublin government as well. He is to travel to Dublin today on a parliamentary exchange, expected to include a meeting with the Taoiseach.

His speech was also an appeal to the UUP to stay in the Belfast Assembly and power-sharing Executive, praising the party for playing a role "that commands widespread admiration and respect throughout the rest of the world".

McLetchie cited the Tory decision to work within the Scottish parliament as an example of how such a sudden change of direction can pay off.

"Eighteen months into the life of the parliament and I am more than ever convinced that was the right decision for us, for Scotland, and for the union," he said.

An SNP spokesman responded that it was unwise to favour any one party in Northern Irish politics.

douglas.fraser@sundayherald.com

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