Saturday saw the first of the canvassing campaigns in Castlederg, with the arrival of Conservatives and Unionists candidate Ross Hussey and his team.
  
Councillor Hussey, who is the driving force behind the campaign for a £20million gratuity settlement for the RUC GC Part-time reserve and who was an ardent supporter for the retention of services at the Tyrone County Hospital, is now tipped as the leading unionist candidate in West Tyrone for the forthcoming General Election.
    

Speaking during the canvass on Saturday, Mr Hussey said: "It’s really great to be here in Castlederg, the weather is lovely and the people are great.
 
"I enjoy this part of the election campaign as it’s a real opportunity to get out and meet the voters. It doesn’t matter how many posters you have, or how many photos you get in the paper, the real thing is to get out and hear what the people on the ground have to say; and that’s what we are doing.
 
"I have met several former and serving members of the part time RUC Reserve on my travels and naturally they asked for an update on the current position which I was more than happy to give."
   
When asked about the response he was getting Mr Hussey said, "People have been extremely positive as we make our way around West Tyrone. There are, however, two main themes that are clearly on everyone’s mind.
 
"The economy and the mess ten years of a Labour Government has left us is the main talking point. Employment, tax, pensions, the cost of fuel and the rising cost of living are things that affect us all. That’s why its nonsense for people to say that a hung Parliament would benefit Northern Ireland. We need a strong, capable Conservatives and Unionists Government in order for Northern Ireland to see the benefits. 
 

"Questions in relation to the failure of Stormont to include Castlederg within a recognised Neighbourhood Renewal zone and the failure to invest and environmentally improve the town were raised by local businessmen.
  

"The second issue is health, and of course the hospital issue is high on the agenda.  Minister McGimpsey has stated several times in the Assembly his commitment to the enhanced local hospital.  Now that election fever is upon us, several politicians have now hitched their wagon the the health question, including the previous incumbent, who seems to forget that it was Sinn Fein who pitched Omagh against Fermanagh for acute services. The DUP candidate, if he is still there, also seems to have jumped on this particular wagon. 
 
"All the Trust and Board meetings that were held over the years have had an absence of political voices with one exception - me - I am proud to stand on my record of questioning the Trust and highlighting their many shortfalls.  Both the DUP and Sinn Fein seem to conveniently forget their support - not once, but twice - for cuts in the health budget.

"Questions were raised in relation to Policing and Justice and several highlighted the fact that they were not asked for their opinion - in fact I was asked ’where have the DUP gone’? Some people would say that given the continuing scandals of £5 land deals and having to buy stock pictures of supporters amongst other things, that they are probably best not appearing, but I cannot answer for them. What I would say is that West Tyrone only needs one Unionist candidate."
 
Concluding on the campaign so far the Conservatives and Unionists candidate said, "We are very happy with the campaign so far, we have had a great response and very sure that we will poll well. Of course my hope is to win the seat again and represent the people of West Tyrone in Parliament, giving them the representation they deserve."

On a lighter note Councillor Hussey: "There is more to this than just bare politics – it’s about community. During our canvass we paid a visit to Tommy Maguire, who I have been told is the "Lord Mayor" of Castlederg. We talked about Tommys’ film and he tells me there may be a new production in the pipeline. Then I was sent to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to a lady who works in a local shop; I don’t know if she wanted to laugh or cry but she said I was the only politician that had sung to her! I think the highlight of the weekend for me personally was at an event in Newtownstewart when I heard some young boys talking and one said ’Do you see all those posters vote for Ross Hussey - well I think that’s him. Fame at last!”