Omagh Town UUP Councillor Ross Hussey has described the endorsement of his nomination for the Westminster elections by the Ulster Conservatives and Unionists as an early birthday present. ‘The announcement on Wednesday 24th was the day before my birthday and I am delighted that my selection has been endorsed by the joint committee. There is no doubt in my mind that the combination of the Conservative and Unionist brands will be a New Force in regional politics. For too long we have been isolated with the various provincial parties maintaining a regional agenda. That regional agenda can easily be focussed on the Northern Ireland Assembly where all our local issues are now attended to as devolved matters. However we are very much a part of the United Kingdom. David Cameron, the Leader of the Conservative Party, has clearly indicated his support for the union of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the retention of all four constituent parts within the Kingdom. As Unionists that is our main objective the retention of the Union and there is no doubt that working together with our partner in the Conservative Party we can add our voice to the strengthening of the link between our four constituent nations. In relation to West Tyrone specifically it has to be said that our voice has not been heard in the chamber of the House of Commons for many years now. Pat Doherty has been elected to serve the constituency of West Tyrone and has not taken his seat due to the abstentionist policy of Sinn Fein. I find it hypocritical that he can claim thousands of pounds from a Government and state he fails to recognise in relation to parliamentary expenses – such as his second home allowance – when he fails to attend the Chamber. I find it galling that when many issues that affect the day to day lives of people living in Omagh. Strabane and all the other towns and villages in County Tyrone are discussed in parliament no voice is heard to state the case for West Tyrone. The party slogan for this election is ‘Year for Change’ – there is no doubt in my mind that this is undoubtedly a year for change. We have seen many changes in Northern Ireland as a result of the Good Friday Agreement, these changes came about by the hard work and commitment of the Ulster Unionist Party – in many instances having to swallow hard and make concessions so we could move forward to a different society with our own locally accountable Assembly. These risks cost us dearly as many felt they were a step too far. Those steps were small compared to some of the changes that were negotiated in St Andrews and beyond. The electorate in West Tyrone can decide for themselves if those that called at their doors in 2007 for the Assembly election or 2009 for the European elections fulfilled their electoral promises. I look forward to the electoral challenge that I face in West Tyrone, I intend to be present in all parts of the constituency to seek the support of the people of Tyrone, I am a Tyrone man Omagh born with a strong sense of local identity. I have lived here all my life, I know the problems that we face and I face the same problems and I commit myself to serving the people of this my home county to the best of my ability’


Ross M Hussey