The Ulster Unionist Party’s sole MP resigned from the party today and announced her intention to stand in the general election as an independent.
North Down representative Lady Sylvia Hermon’s widely anticipated departure from the UUP comes after she voiced opposition to the party’s electoral alliance with the Conservative Party.
“It is now my intention to stand my ground, fighting the forthcoming general election as an independent and fighting to win,” she said.
Lady Hermon had already indicated that she would not stand in North Down under the joint UUP/Tory banner and had been taking a period of time to decide whether to go it alone.
As well as criticising the alliance with the Conservatives, the former lawyer has also hit out at the UUP's decision to vote against the devolution of policing powers to Stormont.
Popular in the strong unionist constituency, the widow of former Royal Ulster Constabulary chief constable Jack Hermon will have high hopes of retaining her seat.
Ex-Alliance Party member Ian Parsley is running against her for the so-called Ulster Conservative Unionist New Force (UCUNF).
There is growing speculation that the Democratic Unionists will not contest the seat, instead backing Lady Hermon.
"As we approach the end of this Parliament, with the Easter recess beginning next Tuesday and dissolution expected shortly thereafter, the mandate given to me at the last general election to serve the people of North Down as an Ulster Unionist is virtually at an end," she said.
"The distance, however, between me and my party has become so great over recent months that I have decided to resign from the Ulster Unionist Party with effect from midnight last night.
"I have taken a considerable amount of time to think and to reflect before coming to this decision, but I believe it to be the right one for the party and for me.
"That said, leaving the Ulster Unionist Party causes me profound sadness, as I have been proud to serve it at Westminster since first becoming its MP for North
Down in 2001.
"I have already notified my resignation to the party leader, Sir Reg Empey MLA, and also to the chairman of the local UUP Association, Alan McFarland MLA.
"Whatever the political differences between the party and me, I remain deeply appreciative of kindnesses shown by and good friendships made with members throughout the party, and especially those in the local association."