TUV has named 8 candidates across the new super council of Causeway Coast & Glens, with the prospect of naming another for the Glens DEA. TUV is running two candidates in both Ballymoney and Causeway and one in each of the other District Electoral Areas.
Among the line up are three sitting councillors – Cllr Boyd Douglas from Limavady Council, Cllr William Blair from Ballymoney Council and Cllr Sharon McKillop from Moyle Council. Cllr Douglas will fight the Benbradagh area again and will be joined in Limavady town by Howard Gordon. Elizabeth Collins from Garvagh will carry the TUV standard in Bann. Cllr Blair will have a running mate in Ballymoney, Mrs Jamise McIlhagga, a teacher. Cllr Sharon McKillop, who has represented Bushmills on the old Moyle council, will be joined by Thomas Sterling in the Causeway area. In Coleraine town Tommy Collins will be the TUV candidate.
Accompanying the candidates at the launch of their campaign, TUV leader, Jim Allister, said from the starting point of three sitting councillors he was looking for significant growth in the TUV presence on the new council. “I strongly sense that more and more the TUV message is resonating with voters, many of whom are fed up with the failures of Stormont but see in TUV a party that can deliver, as we have with Ann’s Law for victims and a recent success on pension rights for RUC widows.
“The crisis in our health service, under the DUP minister, and the threats to local residential homes and the Causeway Hospital, and many other disappointments, are causing many to question their old voting allegiances. We are, therefore, looking for growth in this election. The TUV brand speaks strongly to delivering accountability and fearless defence of both local and provincial issues of importance. Seeing off any threat to the Causeway Hospital is a key priority in this area and ensuring Altnagevlin services are not drained by freeloaders from the Republic. We’ve seen what the minister’s policy of ‘Transforming Your Care’ has done both to emergency departments and residential homes. The new council will have to be at the forefront of sustaining and improving the services of the Causeway Hospital. TUV will not shy away from this battle.
“I greatly look forward to canvassing across the area with our candidates and bringing the TUV message from Ballycastle to Ballykelly.”
Below are details of the TUV candidates.
Causeway:
Thomas Stirling
Strongly connected to Benvardin area; serves as Master of local lodge LOL 1001. Served 6 years in RIR and works locally. Volunteer marshall for road racing events. With deep roots in the area he wants to see it prosper with effective representation on the new council.
Coleraine:
Tommy Collins
Married to Tanya with 3 boys. Qualified welder with considerable experience in local engineering firms. Life long resident in Coleraine Borough and long time enthusiast for Coleraine Football Club. Involved with anti trafficking charity. Concerned by the drift of employment out of Coleraine and the threat to local hospital services, he is determined to fight for the town’s needs.
Limavady:
Howard Gordon
Well known and life long resident of Limavady area. Married to Hazel with two sons. Served 23 years in TA and saw service in Iraq. Member of Loyal Orders and involved with his local church and historical groups. Determined to give Limavady an effective voice on the new council.
Ballymoney:
Jamise McIlhagga
Qualified post primary science teacher and mother of four. Native of Finvoy area. Experience of helping constituents from working in Jim Allister’s office. Particular interest in maintaining full hospital services in Causeway, being herself a diabetic who knows the necessity of effective local services.
Causeway:
Sharon McKillop
Sharon has diligently served the Bushmills area on Moyle Council since 2011. Undeterred by nationalist opposition she led the fight against Moyle twinning with Gaza. Heavily involved with the local traders and community in Bushmills, she has delivered for the area, including commitment to a strategic plan for Bushmills and the wider area. Looks forward to the challenge of serving the new wider area from Dervock through to Portstewart.
Ballymoney
William Blair
William has served as a councillor in Ballymoney since 2011. Native of Ballymoney he has lived and raised his family in Bendooragh. Well known from his working life as a painter and decorator and for his close involvement in the community, including the Loyal Orders. His ambition is to carry on working for his constituents in the new council.
Bann:
Elizabeth Collins
A native of Scotland, where she served as a police officer before moving to Garvagh on her marriage. Mother of four who has put down deep roots in the community. Works part-time in Jim Allister’s office, giving her experience of serving constituents. Keen to ensure the rural area and villages are properly represented on the new council.
Benbradagh:
Boyd Douglas
Boyd is married to Kathleen, with4 adult children; they live on the family farm in the Roe Valley.Wide experience: represented East Londonderry in Stormont 1998-2003 and has served 17 years on Limavady Council, where he has strongly defended the unionist cause and led the fight for rates reductions. Elder in Bovevagh Presbyterian Church and Vice-Chairman of Burnfoot Community Association. From a renowned Unionist and Orange family, Boyd Douglas brings integrity and principle to politics.