TUV's Jim Allister announces South Down candidates
TUV leader Jim Allister has announced the party's prospective South Down Assembly candidate and council candidate for Kilkeel, ahead of the 6 May election.
SPEAKING in Kilkeel on Friday evening at a public meeting announcing Colin Hillis as the TUV’s prospective South Down Assembly candidate and Harold McKee as its council candidate for Kilkeel, Jim Allister said 6th May would be a defining moment for all unionists.
“On that election day every unionist voter will decide where they stand on two key issues:-
Lawbreakers in government;
The implementing of the Union-dismantling Protocol.
“Strong words, but no action, are meaningless. The DUP put the First Minister for Lawlessness into office; they can easily remove her by resigning her deputy, but, sadly, they prioritise clinging to office above cleaning up office.
“The rule of law has been mocked and trampled underfoot by O’Neill - helped on by a useless Chief Constable and Secretary of State who together sided with the lawbreakers. And what is the DUP response? To keep the chief lawbreaker in office. How Sinn Fein is laughing at the DUP as they validate their lawlessness.
“The manner in which the DUP, and UUP, have looked the other way, as in pursuit of their pledges of office they casually and happily implement the Protocol, is equally disastrous.
“Stormont ministers, in 300 areas of law, limply implement foreign EU laws we don’t make and can’t change, they presided over the building of border posts to establish the Irish Sea border and collectively help build the resulting all-Ireland economy, which is a stepping stone in only one direction!
“And when they compound it with the brazen lies of the dud DUP/Donaldson deal - Jeffrey Donaldson telling you the Irish Sea border is gone, with Gavin Robinson nodding in agreement - then they have surrendered the right to expect your trust.
“Complicity in dismantling the Union should not be the work of any unionist. But when the lure of office distinguishes principle, then this is what happens.
“On these fundamental issues it is TUV that brings strength to Unionism. We’ve no truck with propping up government with those determined to destroy Northern Ireland from the inside and no time for colonial rule from Brussels.
“As our stock rises and more and more recognise us as the party they can trust, then we rise to that challenge by providing the public with candidates of the unwavering principle of Colin Hillis and Harold McKee. We will not let you down.”
Dr Colin Hillis, FISTC, TUV Assembly Candidate for South Down
Dr Colin Hillis is a successful local businessman, educated to PhD level, and a longstanding, articulate and outspoken commentator on Northern Ireland politics.
A committed supporter of the TUV since its early days, including when the party had relatively few members, Colin has played an instrumental role in establishing and developing the successful Newry and Armagh branch and, more recently, has been pivotal in strengthening and expanding the party's presence in South Down.
His political experience stretches back to his earlier involvement in the DUP, where he worked voluntarily on election campaigns in Castlereagh Borough Council, giving him a solid grounding in grassroots politics and electoral organisation. He was raised in a family that was no stranger to politics, with early involvement in the DUP grassroots and his late father, John Hillis, successfully being elected to Castlereagh Council as a DUP councillor.
Combining business acumen, academic achievement, and extensive political experience, Colin brings a principled, determined, and informed voice to the TUV's campaign for South Down.
Harold McKee
Harold McKee is delighted and privileged to have been unanimously chosen by the members of SD TUV to be their Council Candidate in the next Local Government Election.
Harold McKee said:
“Frstly I am a Christian who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ followed by politics who puts country before party.
“As a truely convicted individual I have always been a traditional Unionist who has safely found a political home in the TUV.
“I served for many years served in Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and was a member of various committees both within Council and and on outside bodies.
“Being a resident of Kilkeel all my life I have strong connections with the fishing and farming industries.
“I want to assure the voter that I am a strong advocate for the Union and come the next election, a vote for me is a vote to uphold the United Kingdom.”