UDP This now stands for U DOZY PEOPLE; Loyalist leader's shame at

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, May 6, 2001 | by JOHN CASSIDY

AN administrative blunder may cost loyalist fringe party UDP crucial votes in the forthcoming elections.

Party leader Gary McMichael forgot to register his party with the new Electoral Commission before the May 1 deadline.

The error means that Ulster Democratic Party candidates will not be able to have UDP beside their names on the ballot paper.

Last night, Mr McMichael described the mistake as "embarrassing" but said he was "trying very hard" to have it rectified.

He said: "We missed the deadline by just one day but have been told we can't now have UDP on the ballot paper.

"It could have an effect on votes but we will try to ensure during canvassing that our voters are aware that candidate names only will appear.

"They will canvas as UDP and afterwards, if elected, will be UDP councillors but, unfortunately, UDP won't be on the ballot."

The party's registration is currently being processed and it is now up to Chief Electoral Officer Denis Stanley to rule on whether the late submission is acceptable.

However, he has indicated to the party that their lateness will be penalised.

The error was only realised when two UDP members went to declare their candidacy at the electoral office in Belfast before the closing date for nominations on May 15.

They were unable to nominate themselves because their party doesn't officially exist.

It was a blow to the party which is finding itself increasing marginalised on the Northern Ireland political scene.

It was hoping to fight hard for a reversal of fortunes in the coming council and general elections.

The UDP already has three councillors but under new government rules it should, like all parties in the UK, have formally registered itself this year.

The commission is an independent body set up to monitor the new rules regarding political parties and campaign funding in the UK.

It was established last November under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendum Act. The commission, which has offices in Trevelyan House, Great Peter Street, London, is made up of a six-man board and as many as 40 staff.

The new rules came into effect on February 16. It was originally recommended in 1998 by the Neill Committee on Standards

in Public Life, which was set up in the wake of the Bernie Ecclestone affair when Labour had to repay a pounds 1 million donation amid suggestions that this had influenced policy ontobacco sponsorship.

The commission was set up to oversee the new regulatory framework for reporting donations to political parties, the ban on foreign donations and controls on campaign spending.

It will also maintain the register of political parties and regulate their accounts. However, the most well-known function will be publishing a register of party donations.

Yesterday a commission spokeswoman said: "A Northern Ireland party has only just submitted its registration and that is being processed but it is now up to the Electoral Officer to decide whether or not he will accept candidate nominations from that party."