Traditional Unionist Voice have announced its candidate in North Down in the general election will be William Cudworth.
At just 24 William brings youth and enthusiasm to politics. Bangor born and bred, he cares deeply about the area’s prosperity and future and is very active in the Loyal Orders.
William said:
“I am offering the people of North Down the opportunity to vote for a fresh face. There are those who assume that this election has been decided before a single vote has been cast. I disagree. TUV offers radical policies which set us apart from other Unionists in the race in North Down and indeed across Northern Ireland.
“In the next Parliament the devolved arrangements across the UK will be a major topic of debate, particularly in the aftermath of the Scottish referendum. TUV needs to be there to make the case that Northern Ireland, as part of the UK, is entitled to the same basic democratic rights as other regions of the UK – the right to vote a party out of office and the right to have an opposition. These issues can only be resolved by way of Westminster legislation and TUV wants to force the positive, democratic change which Northern Ireland so badly needs.
“I know that many traditional Ulster Unionist voters were bemused when Mike Nesbitt claimed there was no need for his party to contest North Down because Lady Hermon is “an Ulster Unionist in spirit”. Indeed, Lady Hermon was one of those who was most surprised to learn this – hardly shocking as she left the UUP five years ago!
“In this election I am standing to offer all those who believe Northern Ireland deserves better government the opportunity to vote for it.
“As a local man I am well acquainted with the concerns of people in North Down. I pledge to fight for the future of Bangor Hospital and to bring jobs to a constituency which has been neglected by Invest NI. This is a particularly pressing issue given impending relocation of DARD.”
Commenting on the two candidates Jim Allister said:
“I am delighted that TUV is able to offer the people of North Down the opportunity to vote for a candidate with both strong Unionist convictions and the ability to get the job done. Thousands of people in North Down kindly voted TUV in the European election. I am pleased that we will offer the electorate the opportunity to do so again on 7th May and I look forward to joining William on the campaign trail”.