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Nicholson welcomes Chairman of the Conservative Party to Northern Ireland.

Jim Nicholson MEP Conservatives and Unionists Euro candidate welcomed Eric Pickles MP, Chairman of the Conservative Party, to Northern Ireland today. Mr Pickles who is MP for Brentwood and Ongar in the east of England joined Mr. Nicholson on the campaign trail in Ballymena.

Speaking on the road Mr. Nicholson said:

"I am delighted to welcome Eric to Northern Ireland today. It is an honour to be joined on my campaign by such a key player in the Conservative Party. Eric has played a crucial role organising the Conservative Party's local and national campaigns for a number of years and it is a real asset to have him campaign with me today.

Eric has built his political career by serving local communities and building local community relations so I know that he will enjoy meeting the people of Ballymena and Northern Ireland today.

The joint venture between the Ulster Unionist Party and the Conservative Party is already bearing fruit. In the space of two weeks we have had the next Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary and now the Chairman of the Party who will make up the next Government, visit Northern Ireland and take a direct and energetic interest in our future.

I have no doubt that Northern Ireland and the Union will benefit greatly from our partnership. We are doing this to strengthen deepen and broaden the Union".

Mr. Pickles MP said he was very pleased to be in Northern Ireland and was excited by the developing relationship between the Conservative and Ulster Unionist Party.

In a statement Mr. Pickles said:

"I am very pleased to be in Northern Ireland today canvassing with Jim Nicholson. Jim has a wealth of experience in Europe and I know he will continue to use that experience to great effect for all the people of Northern Ireland in the next European Parliament. The developing relationship between our two great parities will put Northern Ireland at the heart of UK politics once again".