A familiar name has entered the race for one of Fermanagh South Tyrone's Assembly seats, with Alex Elliott standing for Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV).

This is not Mr. Elliott's first such outing, as he has contested elections for the party in the past.

Commenting on his decision to stand, Mr. Elliott said: “I believe that our province is in crisis due in no small part to years of failure from the current elected leadership of Unionism."

He will not be the only Elliott on the ballot this year, as his first cousin – Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) candidate, Tom Elliott – will also be contesting the election.

Mr. Elliott believes that support for the TUV is growing. He said: "The surge in support for TUV demonstrated in recent opinion polls and the increased membership of the party both across Northern Ireland, and specifically in Fermanagh and South Tyrone, shows that a growing number of ordinary Unionists appreciate the clarity of our message, and the leadership which Jim Allister has shown in the Assembly."

He continued: "In this election, I am standing to give the Unionist people of this constituency the opportunity to send a strong, traditional Unionist voice to join him [Jim Allister] on the benches of Stormont."

Focusing on the issue of the Irish Sea border, Mr. Elliott said: “The imposition of a border in the Irish Sea, and the appalling lack of opposition to the same, is shameful.

"Now, just a few months out from polling day, there is speculation that Edwin Poots will belatedly do what the TUV urged him to do for more than a year, and act on the [Northern Ireland] Protocol.

"The general public, however, will treat any action now which does not square with the actions they [the DUP] took over the previous 12 months with the cynicism it deserves.

“It’s time for Unionist politicians who display strength because they are motivated by conviction, not fear of the electorate they failed to deliver for.”

Endorsing Mr. Elliott, TUV leader Jim Allister said:“I am delighted to be able to offer the people of Fermanagh and South Tyrone a candidate of Alex’s ability.

"Having served his country with distinction during the years of the terrorist campaign, he is to be commended for now stepping up to the plate politically and putting himself forward to take the battle to Republicans in Stormont.”

Mr. Elliott lives in Ballinamallard with his wife, Olive, and they have three grown-up children.

Mr. Elliott served for a total of 32 years in the Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) and the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC), and was awarded The Queen's Commendation for Bravery for his service.

Mr. Elliott is a member of Magheracross Parish Church and Knockmanoul LOL 443. A graduate of the University of Ulster in both Business and Management Practices, he currently works at South West College.