TUV have announced two of their candidates who will contest seats in the upcoming local government election.
Stewart McEvoy will stand in Lisburn South for the party while Stewart Ferris will contest Downshire East.
Stewart McEvoy is a happily married father of two (soon to be three). Lived in the area for 30 years, educated at Pond Park Primary and Friends before studying educational research, history and politics at Lancaster University.
With deep roots in the area, Stewart spent a lot of time in youth church organisations. Achieving the Queen’s Badge and the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award with BB nourished a desire to lead and helped him gain youth worker qualifications.
Speaking about his decision to stand, Stewart McEvoy said:
“Love for my area and country lead me to stand for TUV. I look around the good area of Lisburn South and just believe the people deserve more. Dog fouling, litter and anti social behaviour needs to be rooted out.
“While the area expands it is fantastic to see new families moving into Lisburn South, however the infrastructure doesn’t seem to be keeping up. An already stretched school and health system is just going to be further stretched unless something is done urgently.
“An hourly bus service in and around Ballymacash which doesn’t really become properly operational until 7:30 am isn’t good enough and is something I will campaign to change.
“With Sinn Fein/IRA fighting tooth and nail for their areas, what have our politicians done for us? I believe it is time Lisburn South had a voice on council who speaks up for our area”.
Stewart Ferris was born and educated in Lisburn and continues to reside there. He is happily married with two children and four grandchildren. He has a breadth of experience in policing, construction and farming.
Explaining his decision to stand for TUV Mr Ferris said:
“Our forefathers fought and died to remain British. I cannot stand idly by while the Protocol divides our United Kingdom and history is rewritten by the Republican movement.
“In terms of day to day issues, I believe there is an urgent need to address the lack of access which people have to their GPs, want to see rates at a level where we are provided with quality services but waste is eliminated and roads properly maintained.”
Speaking about his party’s candidates, TUV leader Jim Allister said:
“I am pleased to offer the voters of Lisburn South and Downshire East the opportunity to vote for exceptional TUV candidates in the upcoming local government elections. They are men who are not just passionate about the Union and big constitutional issues but who want to deliver better for their community.
“When it comes to the election, voters need to consider this – at a time when Unionism is under pressure who can you trust to maintain a consistent and principled stand not just before the election but after it? It was 66,000 TUV votes which stiffened the resolve of others and only votes for TUV will keep them honest in the days ahead so make it TUV 1 on 18th May.”