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THE BELFAST TELEGRAPH
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Fitzpatrick's fortune is riding high
The current Member of Parliament for South Antrim, Ulster Unionist Lochlan G. Fitzpatrick, has never seemed busier that in these last few days, as he was elected Parliamentary Leader of his Party as well as named Shadow Minister for Defence by the new Conservative Leader. The Telegraph sat with him for an interview in his Antrim constituency office.
Telegraph: Thanks for accepting our invitation. We will jump right in. The elections of 1966, the defeat. Did it come to you as a surprise?
Fitzpatrick: Absolutely. I mean, we always knew it was going to be a close contest, but we had some very solid support on the ground. When you look at the results, Northern Ireland is the only region where the conservative movement made substantial gain. Even in defeat, we were surprised because here in Northern Ireland, the Ulster Unionist Party received tremendous support from citizens of all stripes.
Telegraph: The leadership contest in the Conservative Party saw the triumph of Welsh MP Talfryn Ryley against MP David Thornbloom. What was the atmosphere like?
Fitzpatrick: Well it was quite difficult because as you know, the Ulster Unionist could not take part in the vote. We are talking about our close colleagues here. David Thornbloom has been a great friend of the working man with his numerous tax cuts for all citizens. Talfryn Ryley is a man with solid conservative value and a strong belief that we need to gear this country for what lies ahead, to think of the future. I believe that when voters gets acquainted with him, they will find him a true leader.
Telegraph: But let's talk a bit about you. A month ago, your colleagues elected you as Parliamentary Leader for the Ulster Unionists in Westminster. How do you feel about such honor?
Fitzpatrick: I must say I am indeed deeply honored that they put their trust in me. You know, winning all the constituencies in Northern Ireland really put a huge responsibility on my colleagues' shoulders. We need to constantly remind ourselves that we are representing all of Northern Irishmen, Catholics like Protestants. It is a role we take very seriously.
Telegraph: This week, you have been named by Opposition Leader Ryler as Shadow Minister for Defense. How do you intend to tackle this responsibility, and do you feel up to the task?
Fitzpatrick: Well, I will tackle this new challenge like every one of our citizens. Like the navy yard workers in Belfast, I rise up early, I work hard and I come back home late, knowing I gave it my best. That's the only way we know to get things done. And as an ex-soldier, I am quite acquainted to the realities of National Defense, which will certainly prove to be quite an asset.
Telegraph: Time flies, one last question. Many of your constituents were quite angered by your support of a liberal Bill on the subject of abortion. What would you answer to these people who saw it as a lack of character and principle on your part?
Fitzpatrick: I would tell them that I voted my conscience. That this is not a great bill, that there is no great bill on this subject, but that this bill struck a balance between the rights of the mother and the defense of unborn-life. I believe that this procedure should be legal, and that as a community, we should come together to support young mothers and make sure these abortions are as few a possibble. As a legislator, at the end of the day, my job is to vote for what seems the best course of action for the nation. That's why I was elected, and I stand ready to explain my decisions to any of my constituents.