TUV has announced that Norman Boyd will contest East Antrim for the party in the upcoming Assembly election.
Norman is married with a grown up family and brings a wealth of political and real life experience. He was educated at Belfast High School in East Antrim and worked in banking and credit management for more than three decades.
Mr Boyd served as an MLA in the 1998-2003 Assembly and has consistently opposed the implementation of the Belfast Agreement which is a corruption of democracy and the rule of law and has weakened the Union with the rest of the United Kingdom immeasurably.
He strongly believes that the innocent victims of terrorism including the many brave and courageous members of our security forces who made the supreme sacrifice must never be forgotten. Republicans and Nationalists must never be allowed to re-write the truth regarding the evils of terrorism.
Norman is strongly opposed to the introduction of Irish Language legislation which regrettably has been agreed by the DUP.
Mr Boyd has been a member of the Orange Order and Royal Black Institution in Carrickfergus for over 30 years and is passionate about our British heritage, culture and identity. He is also a former member of the Boys Brigade where he is a Queensman and is currently a member of the British Titanic Society. He is a keen fan of Irish League soccer and a follower of the Northern Ireland national team.
Commenting on his decision to contest the upcoming election Mr Boyd said:
“It is an honour and a privilege to be chosen as a candidate for TUV which is the only party that stands for traditional unionist values.
“Events of the last 12 months have rightly alarmed Unionists as they witnessed their political leaders not only go along with the Northern Ireland Protocol but actively implement it. While the DUP have toughed their language, it remains a fact that today the Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots is the Minister responsible for implementing the Protocol. Unionists are shocked to discover that Larne has become a border town between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. It is nothing short of shameful that this is due to the actions and inactions of a Unionist Minister.
“Ordinary Unionists feel let down when they consider the fact that when it came to voting on the regulations which are required for the Protocol to operate only two MLAs voted to oppose them. Neither of those MLAs came from East Antrim in spite of the fact that this is a constituency which voted solidly to leave the EU and returned no less than four Unionists to the Assembly.
“It is time for Unionists to stand up and be counted. With the High Court finding that Article Six of the Acts of Union is no more the constitutional ramifications of where we are couldn’t be clearer.
“Understandably the old political parties have lost the trust of the voters and yet it is recognised that Jim Allister has provided consistent and principled leadership throughout this time. My message to Unionists is clear – if you want to see Unionism which is firm and determined then the only option is to vote TUV in the upcoming election. While others will doubtless talk tough in the run up to polling day you know that TUV are the real deal.
“Our stance on the issue of a possible Sinn Fein First Minister makes this clear. We are the only Unionist party in this election pledged to not nominate a deputy to a Republican First Minister and thereby guaranteeing that Sinn Fein cannot hold the office of First Minister. While others use the prospect of a Sinn Fein First Minister to scare the electorate TUV is pledged to block one. Why are the other Unionist parties so reticent on this issue?”
Endorsing Norman Jim Allister said:
“Norman is a candidate of integrity and ability who I have no doubt will serve with distinction if returned for East Antrim. He brings a wealth of political and life experience and offers the electorate the opportunity to vote for an MLA who has real convictions which guide his politics.
“East Antrim has been let down by its current crop of MLAs but in Norman Boyd they have a candidate who knows the issues and will not waver. I heartily commend him to the voters in an area which TUV see as a key target.”