In Northern Ireland it is a straight fight between former UTV anchorman Mike Nesbitt and country man John McCallister for the leadership of the Ulster Unionist Party.
Nesbitt is currently the frontrunner ahead of The Ulster Unionist Party’s AGM on Saturday.
In a recent in-depth interview, John McCallister spelled out unambiguously where he stands on key issues such as the future role of the party in the Northern Ireland Assembly, his attitude to dissenting voices in party ranks and his strategy for reconstructing the Ulster Unionist Party.
His rival Mike Nesbitt has been speaking to me about his approach to reshaping The Ulster Unionist Party.
He is much more guarded on the changes he will ring to revive the fortunes of Northern Ireland’s second largest unionist party.
Listen to my discussion with Mike below or download the MP3:
Listed below is a flavour of the questions I posed:
00.00: Introduction
00.27: Who is Mike Nesbitt?
02.38: Just what experience do you actually have in the Public/Private sector?
05.17: Why did you come into politics so late in your career?
08.27: What can you do that David Trimble, Reg Empey, Tom Elliott could not do?
11.00: For what does Mike Nesbitt stand?
12.31: Will he lead Ulster Unionists into opposition?
14.05: Will you tolerate people like David McNarry?
15.29: Will you fire people like Danny Kennedy/Will you promote Danny Kinahan?/ Is Danny Kennedy Safe/ Is there a deal on the table?
17.30: If you become leader will you make John McCallister your deputy?
18.25: Why are people still asking whether there is any substance to Mike Nesbitt?
19.15: Where does Mike Nesbitt stand on education? Is he pro or anti selection? What are his solutions for young people at the bottom of the pile?
25.55: Were you ever invited to be an Orangeman? Are you a member of the Masonic Lodge?
26.07: Given your torrid time with the media in the past, does it concern you that, that past might be dredged up again should you become leader?
28.28: Are you a born again Christian?
29.40: Same sex marriage?
