Menu
20/02/2013
Lutton Confirmed As Mid-Ulster Unionist Candidate
Nigel Lutton has been officially confirmed as the joint unionist candidate for the Mid-Ulster by-election.
His nomination was confirmed at the Ballymena Electoral Office on Tuesday.
Mr Lutton was accompanied by DUP leader Peter Robinson and UUP leader Mike Nesbitt.
Commenting after the nomination papers were handed in, Mr Robinson said: "I am delighted that we have an agreed unionist candidate for Mid-Ulster. Nigel is a terrific candidate with a great local knowledge and a heart for the community.
"This election gives the people of Mid-Ulster the opportunity to have representation in the House of Commons. For sixteen years they have had an absentee MP. When important decisions have been made in Parliament, the people of Mid-Ulster have not had a say. This election gives them the opportunity to change this situation."
Mr Lutton will contest the Mid-Ulster seat following the stepping down of Martin McGuinness. The Sinn Féin MP and deputy First Minister gave up his seat as his party commits to end 'double jobbing'.
But many have denounced the decision to run a joint candidate as divisive.
SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone will run for the seat. He said: "The divisive politics of McGuinness versus McCrea is the politics of the past. The parties, who will strive during this campaign to place a sectarian headcount, focusing on flags and border polls, are failing to recognise about the struggles faced by people across Mid Ulster. The politics that dominated Mid Ulster over the past 15 years are of no benefit to people who are looking for work, trying to pay their bills, run a business or raise a family."
The Mid-Ulster By-Election will take place on 7 March.
(IT/GK)
His nomination was confirmed at the Ballymena Electoral Office on Tuesday.
Mr Lutton was accompanied by DUP leader Peter Robinson and UUP leader Mike Nesbitt.
Commenting after the nomination papers were handed in, Mr Robinson said: "I am delighted that we have an agreed unionist candidate for Mid-Ulster. Nigel is a terrific candidate with a great local knowledge and a heart for the community.
"This election gives the people of Mid-Ulster the opportunity to have representation in the House of Commons. For sixteen years they have had an absentee MP. When important decisions have been made in Parliament, the people of Mid-Ulster have not had a say. This election gives them the opportunity to change this situation."
Mr Lutton will contest the Mid-Ulster seat following the stepping down of Martin McGuinness. The Sinn Féin MP and deputy First Minister gave up his seat as his party commits to end 'double jobbing'.
But many have denounced the decision to run a joint candidate as divisive.
SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone will run for the seat. He said: "The divisive politics of McGuinness versus McCrea is the politics of the past. The parties, who will strive during this campaign to place a sectarian headcount, focusing on flags and border polls, are failing to recognise about the struggles faced by people across Mid Ulster. The politics that dominated Mid Ulster over the past 15 years are of no benefit to people who are looking for work, trying to pay their bills, run a business or raise a family."
The Mid-Ulster By-Election will take place on 7 March.
(IT/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
07 March 2013
Mid-Ulster Voting Begins
Voting has begun in the Mid-Ulster by-election. The election was triggered by the resignation of Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness. The deputy First Minister stepped down from his position as part of the party's move to end 'double-jobbing' at Stormont. Four candidates are running, with Francie Molloy of Sinn Féin expected to win comfortably.
Mid-Ulster Voting Begins
Voting has begun in the Mid-Ulster by-election. The election was triggered by the resignation of Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness. The deputy First Minister stepped down from his position as part of the party's move to end 'double-jobbing' at Stormont. Four candidates are running, with Francie Molloy of Sinn Féin expected to win comfortably.
08 March 2013
Francie Molloy Wins Mid-Ulster
Sinn Féin's Francie Molloy has won the Mid-Ulster by-election. Mr Molloy fulfilled electoral predictions with a majority win, securing 17,462 (47%) of votes, compared to his nearest rival, the joint unionist candidate, Nigel Lutton, who received 12,781 (34%).
Francie Molloy Wins Mid-Ulster
Sinn Féin's Francie Molloy has won the Mid-Ulster by-election. Mr Molloy fulfilled electoral predictions with a majority win, securing 17,462 (47%) of votes, compared to his nearest rival, the joint unionist candidate, Nigel Lutton, who received 12,781 (34%).
15 February 2013
John McCallister Quits UUP
The Ulster Unionist Party’s Basil McCrea and deputy leader John McCallister are to resign. The decisions are in protest at the UUP and DUP’s decision to back a joint candidate for the Mid Ulster by-election on 7 March. The seat has become open following the stepping-down of deputy First Minister, Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness.
John McCallister Quits UUP
The Ulster Unionist Party’s Basil McCrea and deputy leader John McCallister are to resign. The decisions are in protest at the UUP and DUP’s decision to back a joint candidate for the Mid Ulster by-election on 7 March. The seat has become open following the stepping-down of deputy First Minister, Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness.
03 November 2003
Councillor issues warning following knife attack
A Portrush councillor has issued a warning to young people following a knife attack in the Co Antrim town at the weekend. Ulster Unionist Assembly candidate Norman Hillis described an attack on a woman during a robbery on Saturday night as disgraceful.
Councillor issues warning following knife attack
A Portrush councillor has issued a warning to young people following a knife attack in the Co Antrim town at the weekend. Ulster Unionist Assembly candidate Norman Hillis described an attack on a woman during a robbery on Saturday night as disgraceful.
13 June 2001
‘BELT UP’ OR ‘PAY UP’ CAMPAIGN
THE launch of a new shock TV advertisement coincided with the release of a major survey commissioned by the NI Department of the Environment (DoE) on the wearing of seat belts in Northern Ireland. The shock advertisement, which was aired for the first time on Wednesday June 13, is part of a campaign encouraging drivers in Ireland to ‘belt up’.
‘BELT UP’ OR ‘PAY UP’ CAMPAIGN
THE launch of a new shock TV advertisement coincided with the release of a major survey commissioned by the NI Department of the Environment (DoE) on the wearing of seat belts in Northern Ireland. The shock advertisement, which was aired for the first time on Wednesday June 13, is part of a campaign encouraging drivers in Ireland to ‘belt up’.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
