The Ulster Unionist Party has selected a leading pro-agreement Orangeman as its candidate to fight the forthcoming Westminster election in the highly-contested constituency of Strangford.
Mr David McNarry was elected from a field of four candidates after three rounds of voting at a meeting of the party's Strangford Constituency Association in Newtownards, Co Down last night.
Mr McNarry's political stance is seen as being pro-agreement but with a very firm line on the decommissioning of republican weapons. In his capacity as an Orange official he has been deeply involved in the dispute over the Orange march at Drumcree.
Mr McNarry was the front runner in the race to win the selection but an upset seemed possible after the first vote. The second most favoured candidate, Mr Jim Hamilton, polled less than Mr Robert Burgess, the only anti-agreement candidate running.
Mr Burgess came last in the second round of voting leaving Mr McNarry and Mr Jack Irwin to battle for the candidacy. Mr McNarry comfortably won this contest.
The seat has been held by the UUP's deputy leader, Mr John Taylor for 18 years.
He was selected by the constituency association to contest the Westminster general election. However, in January he announced he would not run in the election.
Mr Taylor's stated reason was that he wanted to concentrate on Northern politics as both an Assembly member and one of his party's representatives on the new policing board.
The UUP faces a very strong challenge in the constituency from Mrs Iris Robinson of the DUP.