With only three weeks left until voters head to polling stations for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, the final list of candidates for the constituency is now available – with 16 candidates now in the running for the area.

A further two candidates have entered the race for the five Northern Ireland Assembly seats, handing in their nomination papers last week before the nomination period closed on Friday.

The two new runners in the race to become an MLA are People Before Profit (PBP) candidate Emmett Kilpatrick, and Independent candidate, Derek Backhouse.

Speaking to The Impartial Reporter, Mr. Backhouse described his political philosophy, saying: “I am an everyday man, who has worked hard in his life. I have had very hard times, and I have had good times, but I have always had a passion for the truth.”

He continued: “I abhor politicians – I know, it sounds a little hypocritical, as I am running [to be elected]!

“But I am running because I am frustrated. The politicians keep telling us, ‘We are in the same boat’.

“That is rubbish – we are in the same ocean. Some are in yachts, some are in rafts, and some are just treading water.

“I know the plight of those who are being overlooked. I know that there are people that are desperate.”

Describing his frustration with the political system, Mr. Backhouse said: “People are tired of empty promises from these politicians who come around when it is time to vote, and that basically is the only time their voice is heard.

“After that, the politicians stick to Stormont, and do absolutely what they want to do with no real regard for the people, their businesses, their livelihoods.

“I think that the past two years have been criminal. Businesses have closed, livelihoods have been decimated.”

Approached

People Before Profit were approached for comment, and for an image of Emmett Kilpatrick, but had not responded to this paper’s requests by the time of going to print.

The Fermanagh and South Tyrone region has one of the longest ballot lists in the upcoming election with 16 candidates, behind the constituency of West Belfast, which has the longest ballot list, at 17.

Candidates across Fermanagh and South Tyrone have been busy knocking on doors, vying for votes and answering our questions.

For further election coverage, see Pages 14-15 as five of Fermanagh and South Tyrone’s would-be MLAs answer questions on the issues that matter to you.

The full list of Fermanagh South Tyrone 2022 Assembly election candidates is as follows, in (political) alphabetical order:

Matthew Beaumont – Alliance

Denise Mullen – Aontú

Dónal Ó Cofaigh – Cross Community Labour Alternative (CCLA)

Paul Bell – DUP

Deborah Erskine – DUP

Kellie Turtle – Green Party

Derek Blackhouse – Independent

Emma DeSouza – Independent

Emmett Kilpatrick – People Before Profit

Jemma Dolan – Sinn Féin

Colm Gildernew – Sinn Féin

Áine Murphy – Sinn Féin

Adam Gannon – Social Democratic and Labour Party

Alex Elliott – TUV

Rosemary Barton – UUP

Tom Elliott – UUP