The Ulster Unionist Party has selected Daniel Allen, Alan Chambers and Carl McClean as its Assembly candidates for North Down. All three are councillors on Ards and North Down Council.
Ulster Unionist leader, Mike Nesbitt MLA, said:
“I am delighted that Daniel, Alan and Carl have been selected to represent the Ulster Unionist Party in next May`s Assembly elections. They are three exceptional candidates based in North Down who have the interests of the people at heart. Alan has years of experience in the council and Carl and Daniel are two young men who have risen to the challenge after being elected to Ards and North Down Council in 2014. Their selection bodes well for the future. And while Leslie Cree is standing down as an MLA at the next election, I know his continued input will be valued by the candidates. I am personally very grateful for all he has done for the people of North Down and look forward to his new role as a Vice-President of the Ulster Unionist Party. The growth of the Ulster Unionist Party continues and we will be announcing more of our candidates in the coming weeks. ”
Councillor Daniel Allen said:
“"I am pleased to represent my Party as an Assembly candidate in the up-coming elections in May 2016. I look forward to working as part of an Ulster Unionist team who can continue to offer the electorate a strong representative voice in North Down.”
Alderman Alan Chambers said:
“I am very pleased to have been entrusted with the responsibility of standing as one of three Ulster Unionist Party candidates contesting the Assembly Election in North Down, due to take place next May. This team of candidates offer a good combination of youth and experience and will provide many electors in North Down with a sound and credible alternative. Hopefully we can appeal to the many people who feel abandoned by the democratic process, having become totally disillusioned by many of the events they have witnessed at Stormont and beyond.
“Having contested all previous elections as an Independent Unionist, this election is a new challenge for me. Over the 25 years that I have had the privilege of providing political representation I have been overwhelmed, and very grateful, for the huge support and trust the people of North Down have shown me through the ballot box. That trust and support has to be earned by dedicated hard work on behalf of the community. This new and exciting phase of my political journey will not result in any reduction of the service it has been my pleasure to have offered the community to date. I look forward to working with Ian Henry and the rest of the Ulster Unionist team on Ards and North Down Council.
“I am a strong supporter of devolution but have been dismayed at the opportunities that continue to be squandered by the two party DUP/Sinn Fein cartel that dominates the Assembly. A vote for any representative of either of these parties will be an endorsement of all the failures of government we see around us. It is time for change and I will be seeking to be part of that change as a mandated member of an increased team of Ulster Unionist Party representatives at Stormont. It will be my intention to provide the people of North Down with a quality of life that will be better than that provided at this time by the current self-serving two party partnership that continues to let us all down.”
Councillor Carl McClean, who is Deputy Mayor of Ards and North Down Council, said:
“I am honoured to have been selected as one of three Ulster Unionist Party candidates to put my name before the people of North Down in next year's Assembly elections.
"People rightly feel let down by what has passed for politics in Northern Ireland's devolved institutions and some have lost all faith in the process. They couldn’t care less about the bickering at Stormont, but they do care about our health service, the economy, housing and our children’s education - all areas that are either in crisis or in need of vast improvement. It’s time for new faces, ideas, and attitudes. People will come out to vote and make a difference if they can trust candidates, and it’s my job over the next few months to earn people’s trust, share our ideas for fixing the system, and earn a mandate to change politics for good.
"We have a great team assembled, and we can’t wait for the election.”
Ulster Unionist Group Leader on Ards and North Down Council, Alderman Ian Henry, said:
"Firstly, I am very happy to welcome Alan Chambers to our team. Alan is a long standing member of the council who puts his local community to the fore. I am sure he will fit in very easily with the rest of our group and we look forward to working with him in the coming months. This brings our total number to ten Councillors on Ards and North Down Borough Council.
"As Chairman of the North Down Ulster Unionist Association, it also gives me great pleasure to know that Daniel Allen, Alan Chambers and Carl McClean have been selected to be the Ulster Unionist Party's candidates at next year's Assembly Elections. All three are Councillors in the area, and I can't wait to get out on the campaign trail with them.
"I must also pay tribute to Leslie Cree MLA. Leslie has been long standing friend of mine. He has served the people of North Down and the Ulster Unionist Party in the Northern Ireland Assembly chamber and on the local council for many many years. And I want to thank him for his dedication, his advice and wish him well for the future."
Leslie Cree MLA said:
“The Ulster Unionist Party is in growth mode and the addition of Alan Chambers to the Ulster Unionist Council team is testament to that. We will continue to build and I am delighted that Daniel, Alan and Carl have been selected to be the Ulster Unionist Party`s Assembly candidates in North Down next May. I would like to thank the whole Ulster Unionist team for their continued support. We are determined to give the people of North Down the opportunity to vote for a strong team of Ulster Unionist representatives who are dedicated to serving all the people of this constituency.”