Northern Ireland

Tory leadership race: The novelty factor of Northern Ireland hustings

Conservative Party leadership contender Boris Johnson during a Tory leadership hustings outside Belfast. Picture by Peter Morrison/PA
Conservative Party leadership contender Boris Johnson during a Tory leadership hustings outside Belfast. Picture by Peter Morrison/PA Conservative Party leadership contender Boris Johnson during a Tory leadership hustings outside Belfast. Picture by Peter Morrison/PA

ASIDE from the spectacle of Boris Johnson versus Jeremy Hunt, the Conservative leadership race arriving in Northern Ireland had its own very distinct novelty factor.

By staging a hustings event in the north, we were treated to the bonus curiosity of witnessing so many NI Conservatives all in one place.

This unusualness was not lost on the local party membership, with several remarking with delight – and even pleasant surprise – at the dozens-strong turnout.

With no elected representatives, the Conservatives in Northern Ireland are significantly less of an established political force than in Britain.

But while the lesser spotted 'Ulster Tory' may be relatively small in number, their political influence could be crucial in the coming weeks.

They will have a say of who becomes the next British prime minister – helping to steer a fraught course as the UK hurtles towards October's Brexit deadline.

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From outside Omagh to Donaghadee, members of the NI Conservatives flocked to the opulent surrounds of the Culloden Hotel, Cultra, to hear both candidates pitch for votes.

In the sunshine, a small group of smiling Mr Hunt supporters stood with placards outside the hotel awaiting his arrival.

Conservative member Christine Donnelly (51) from Newtownards attended the hustings with her 17-year-old son, Andrew.

"It's really part of history to be involved, and to hear what both candidates have to say," said Ms Donnelly, who is backing Mr Hunt.

The civil servant and mother-of-two voted Remain in the EU referendum and is "still very much Remain". She said Mr Hunt is a "better candidate".

"I think he would be a stronger leader. He comes across presentable and more coherent. I think he would represent the country better," she said.

Brexit-backing Valerie Hamilton (74), from Donaghadee, said she had yet to make up her mind.

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"I was probably more inclined towards Boris because I did think there was more of a chance of us going out [of the European Union], and I do feel democracy is at stake if we don't," she said.

In separate cavalcades of black vehicles with tinted windows, the leadership candidates arrived – prompting a flurry of activity from the waiting press pack.

Mr Hunt arrived first, posing for some photos with supporters before heading inside. Mr Johnson made a quick entrance to the hotel later.

Inside, the hustings was set up in the Stuart Suite, an expansive function room with chandeliers dotted around the ceiling.

Rows of chairs filled about half the room. Conservatives said around 250 party members from Northern Ireland had registered for the event, but from a headcount of those seated there were approximately just over 100.

Any Tories hoping for a head-to-head debate would be left disappointed. Instead, each candidate appeared on stage separately. They each gave a podium speech before answering questions from the audience.

The pair faced questions ranging from Brexit and Stormont, to organising Conservative membership in Northern Ireland and the protests and unrest in Hong Kong.

Mr Hunt said any Brexit deal with the EU would mean changing the backstop proposal, saying it "has to change or it has to go".

He warned against working with Nigel Farage, who he said wants to leave the EU on a no-deal basis.

"I think for Northern Ireland it would be infinitely better to get a deal, and that's what I'm going to negotiate," Mr Hunt said to applause.

Mr Johnson addressed the audience in his usual blustering style, prompting some laughs from supporters.

He rejected the idea of a snap referendum in Northern Ireland on temporary membership of a customs union, saying: "The only thing it would snap would be people's patience."

He also said the insistence of the EU on the backstop arrangement amounted to "moral blackmail" of the British government.

Among those in attendance while Mr Johnson spoke was former defence secretary Gavin Williamson, who is tipped to return to cabinet if Mr Johnson wins the leadership contest.

While Mr Hunt and his entourage slipped out of the hustings without much fuss, Mr Johnson was swarmed by some party members keen to speak to him and nab a selfie.

Mr Hunt remained in the Culloden for some one-to-one interviews with the press, but Mr Johnston left swiftly as he travelled to Stormont to meet DUP leader Arlene Foster.

After the bustle of the event died down, party member Ms Hamilton felt more clear in her mind.

"I think I'm probably more leaning towards Jeremy Hunt now. I think Jeremy gave more straight answers to questions," she said.

But others such as Frank Shivers of the North Down branch were proudly supporting Mr Johnson.

Wearing a blue 'back Boris' badge, he said: "I was going in there voting for Boris and I have been voting for Boris for a while, but I thought that Jeremy came across very credible, a safe pair of hands.

"But unfortunately in the times we are at, we have had a safe pair of hands with Theresa May who I thought was an excellent Prime Minister treated very badly by the EU, Westminster and parts of her own party.

"So we need a maverick, we need someone with a bit of charisma, a bit of character and someone who is going to deliver for the people of the United Kingdom."