The end of an era as Lady Sylvia Hermon decides not to run in North Down. What will be her legacy and who will replace this long standing MP?

Nov 07, 2019, 11:21 AM

Episode image
End of an era-that's the front page headline in today's County Down Spectator. It refers, of course, to the shock decision of Lady Sylvia Hermon to stand down as an MP after 18 years in the North Down seat. The independent unionist announced last night that, with "enormous sadness", she would not contest next month's Westminster election.  So does that leave the door wide open for the DUP? Or could Alliance grab Lady Hermon's moderate unionist base? And is there a chance that we might see Arlene Foster on the ballot paper? Not in her home constituency of Fermanagh South Tyrone, but in Upper Bann where David Simpson has stood down. To consider all the angles, Vinny spoke to Professor Jon Tonge from the University of Liverpool and commentator Alex Kane.