TUV have announced that due to personal and family reasons Dr William Kitchen has withdrawn as the party’s candidate for Lagan Valley.
The party has moved swiftly to choose a replacement, Ms Lorna Smyth.
Ms Smyth detailed her background and why she is looking forward to standing for TUV in what is a key constituency:
“I am an Armed Forces veteran and served my country for 12 years both here at home during Operation Banner and abroad in more recent campaigns in the RAF. More recently I worked in the aviation sector of the oil and gas industry as a Safety and Compliance manager in Scotland.
“On returning to Northern Ireland I joined TUV because it is the only party which shares my personal values and principles. They are also the only party that have consistently fought against the Protocol which seeks to annex us from the rest of the United Kingdom. TUV is the only party which takes a stand against Sinn Fein all the time, not just in the lead up to an election.
“I am a single mother to a young daughter and am currently studying for an undergraduate degree at Ulster University.
“I’m passionate about addressing the lack of support for veterans, providing adequate support for mental health and want to see decent housing for all with better employment prospects.
“As the home constituency of both the DUP leader and chief Protocol implementer Edwin Poots Lagan Valley offers voters a unique opportunity to pass their verdict on the leadership of Unionism. I want to be a voice for ordinary people who feel let down and forgotten about by the political class.
“Quite apart from the serious constitutional issues which will be key in this election, Lagan Valley has seen a running down of essential services. Many local police stations have been lost, the Lagan Valley Hospital has been hollowed out to the point where it is little more than a health centre, promised developments such as John Lewis have never been delivered and town centres which have been neglected for many years have gone into an even more serious declined because of the pandemic. As a fresh face bringing fresh thinking I offer people the opportunity to shake things up in May’s election.”
TUV leader Jim Allister said:
“I am delighted to be able to offer the people of Lagan Valley the opportunity to vote for Lorna in the up coming election. We have seen considerable growth in interest in TUV in Lagan Valley and added many new members, an indication that people are eager for change.
“Lorna has a proven track record of service for her country and is now stepping up to fight for ordinary people and the Union. I look forward to her being part of a strong TUV team in Stormont.”