Having initially nominated only party leader, Jim Allister, to contest the North Antrim constituency, after a positive response in early canvassing, TUV has added a second candidate, Bannside councillor, Timothy Gaston.
Jim Allister said:
“As our canvass got underway it became clear there is such disquiet over the shambles at Stormont that TUV’s distinctive message is resonating more than ever with the voters. The widespread recognition that Stormont is a mess and that voting for the same parties again will only produce more of the same, is convincing a growing number of voters that their voice will be best heard through TUV.
“Hence, our decision to add a second candidate. I’m delighted to be joined on the ballot by Cllr Gaston, whose poll-topping performance in Bannside and prodigious work record as a councillor greatly strengthens our ticket.
“Together we present the voters of North Antrim with the opportunity for real change. TUV has long proclaimed this Stormont system was unsustainable and would inevitably implode. Now that it has the reality that TUV has long maintained, namely that Sinn Fein was never in Stormont to make Northern Ireland work, is clearer than ever. Thus going back to more failure is fast losing its appeal with the voters.
“TUV’s vision of voluntary coalition as the only workable form of devolution is more apt than ever. And, unless and until that can be achieved then British ministers should form the Executive, but be fully accountable to the local Assembly. We can’t go on as we are lurching from crisis to crisis. Our people need government. What they have had is a dysfunctional mess, crowned now by the scandal and squander of RHI.
“On 2nd March every voter has the opportunity to be heard. Voting for more of the same is not an option for any thinking voter. I believe more than ever will take the opportunity to be heard loud and clear by voting TUV 1 and 2.”