UUP leader and Smith to stand in Strangford

4 November 2015

THE Ulster Unionists have announced a two-man team to contest what is likely to be a fascinating context in next year’s
Assembly election in Strangford;

Party leader Mike Nesbitt will be joined at the hustings by Killinchy councillor and the former Mayor of Ards, Philip Smith, in an election battle which is less predictable than previous contests.

In 2011 the UUP won two seats through Nesbitt and David McNarry, but the latter defected to UKIP in 2012 leaving a running sore which his former colleagues are determined to sooth.

The UUP is extremely likely to retain their two seats and the DUP are also almost certain to retain their seats through their three Ministerial candidates — Health Minister, Simon Hamilton, Enterprise Trade and Investment Minister, Jonathan Bell, and Minister for Regional Development, Michelle McIlveen.

For McNarry, if he decides to run, to secure a seat running for UKIP, is a tall order but he will be boosted by the decision of long-time Alliance politician, Kieran McCarthy, to run again.

Alliance will field another candidate but that person is unlikely to have the large personal vote attracted by McCarthy making it possible that McNarry could be in a battle for the sixth seat with Alliance and the SDLP.

The UUP announced their candidates this week after a selection meeting in the constituency last week.

Mr Smith said he is looking forward to bringing the Ulster Unionist message to people on the doorsteps across Strangford.

The 47 year-old, who is married with two teenage children, is a two-term member of Ards Council and works as a senior manager in training within the public sector. He is a director of both Killinchy Community Association and Comber Regeneration and Community Group.

“People are angry and frustrated with Stormont’s performance and are crying out for change at the heart of our devolved government,” he said. “Ulster Unionists are determined to offer a real alternative to the current mess and I am asking for the opportunity to help drive that change in Strangford.

“With many years of experience in business, the public sector and local government I believe that I can bring a managerial competence to the Assembly that will benefit this constituency”, he explained.

Mr Nesbitt said he would relish the opportunity to continue my work locally and tackle the failures of government currently so evident at Stormont.

“The current performance of our regional government cannot be as good as it gets for Northern Ireland and I am determined that the Ulster Unionist
Party will offer better,” he said.

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