IT was announced this week that the Democratic Unionist Party and the Ulster Unionist Party had finally agreed a pact in Fermanagh-south Tyrone in the forthcoming general election.

Both parties will encourage support for UUP candidate Tom Elliott.

Earlier Mr. Elliott spoke to impartialreporter.com about the deal.

Q: “Are all unionists in Fermanagh behind you?” A: “That’s a decision for others. I can’t speak for everyone. The Ulster Unionist Party and the Democratic Unionist Party have come up with this deal.” Q: “The DUP’s Arlene Foster said in November that she didn’t think you would be able to win the election. Given Mrs. Foster’s position is this whole thing a shambles?” A: “I don’t know why anybody would suggest it’s a shambles. It’s a relationship, it’s deal that has been done. What we want to do is maximise the vote to ensure that people get someone who will represent them at Westminster.” Q: “Has the UUP been sold a pup?” A: “The Ulster Unionists proposed that the DUP should support us in Fermanagh-south Tyrone, give a fair chance for unionists to win the seat and that we should reciprocate in North Belfast. That was our proposal so I am not sure why you or anybody else would think we’ve been sold a pup.” Q: “How confident are you of beating Sinn Fein’s Michelle Gildernew?” A: “I wouldn’t be going into this election if I wasn’t confident. I think people will realise they would be much better with someone who represents them at Westminster than someone who doesn’t.” Q: “If you get elected will you be saying no to cuts in Fermanagh-south Tyrone?” A: “Sinn Fein are saying they will oppose all cuts. It’s probably impossible to impose all cuts when there are inefficiencies. I will certainly be opposing those that are most strenuous and those that will have a detrimental effect on Fermanagh-south Tyrone. The difference between Sinn Fein and me is I will in there actually voting for it and making that difference. They’ll not.”