Published Friday, 23 October 2009
At their selection meeting in the Royal Hotel, Bangor on Thursday night, Cllr Ian Parsley was selected to go forward to the joint Conservative and Ulster Unionist Committee.
"I am naturally delighted to have received the support of the North Down Association to go forward to the next stage, and to be able to play a part in delivering real change," he said.
"Conservatives are not alone in being convinced of the need for a change of government - a government whose legacy is political crisis and financial meltdown. For us in Northern Ireland, this is about even more than a change of government, we need change in the whole way we do politics."
He added: "For North Down in particular, people must have the chance to vote directly for a change of government, and for an MP who will be more than just a glorified lobbyist. We must expect our MPs to play a full role in securing public sector jobs, raising pensions and delivering economic stability on behalf of everyone. That is what the Conservatives are pledged to do."
Cllr Parsley's name will now go forward to the Conservative and Ulster Unionist Joint Committee, consisting of equal numbers from both parties, who will determine the joint candidate.