WITH parties and individuals now jockeying for political position as Northern Ireland prepares to hold Assembly elections soon, there’s a lot to consider for an electorate keen to have their voices heard, but perhaps a little uncertain of where the would-be MLAs stand on a range of issues.

And so, over the coming weeks – starting today – we’ll be looking at the Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA candidates running in our area, who were happy to talk to The Impartial Reporter’s Ciarán Flaherty, Jessica Campbell and Victoria Johnston about where they stand on several issues.

Topics

Whether on topics such as the current cost of living and energy crises, to the Northern Ireland Protocol, to ongoing health and education issues and other topics, the candidates across the political board have shared where they stand, and what their vision is for Northern Ireland and our area.

Featuring the Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA candidates in no particular order, The Impartial Reporter asked each of them the following questions which arguably matter most, answered opposite, with the other candidates’ answers following in coming weeks.

Finally, no matter where you stand on these issues, and regardless of who you would like to support at the ballot box, please do cast your precious vote when the opportunity arises, and help to make sure that your voice is heard.

Question 1:Tell voters a bit about yourself – why are you in politics/how long for?

Question 2:From speaking to people in the constituency, what issues are affecting the people of Fermanagh and South Tyrone?

Question 3:What will be the main issues you will be working on, if elected?

Question 4:How can Stormont work best for the people of Fermanagh and South Tyrone?

Question 5:What will you bring as an MLA if elected?

Question 6: Why should people vote for you?

Answer 1: I am a native of Ballinamallard and the TUV candidate in Fermanagh and South Tyrone. I am married to Olive, and am a proud father and grandfather.

I am certainly not a ‘career politician’, and for the first 32 years of my working life, I served my province in the UDR, and later in the RUC and PSNI.

I am currently involved in risk management and am a support staff member in the South West College.

For too long, we have been served by politicians who know nothing of life outside of politics. I hope to change that, and to bring my years of experience in the public and private sector to the blue benches of Stormont.

I joined TUV in 2010 because I was tired of Unionist parties serving their own interests by propping up apologists for the IRA in government.

In TUV, I saw a party who did not engage in doublespeak, who stood for the truth even when it wasn’t fashionable, and who were a voice for the voiceless.

I am honoured to give my neighbours an opportunity to vote for this type of principled politics.

Answer 2: From Aughnacloy to Kesh, the message I am hearing on the doors is outrage about the [Northern Ireland] Protocol, and how little the other Unionist parties have done to tackle it.

Indeed, there is great sadness that a Unionist Agriculture Minister would for more than a year implement the Irish Sea Border via ‘the Poots Posts’.

Unionism wants action and their representatives to be unwavering in their opposition to the Irish Sea Border. With TUV, [supporters] know this is what they are getting.

People also understand that the Protocol is having a horrible impact on trading conditions for local businesses who can’t get parts, plants or even soil in from Great Britain.

People need to realise much worse is yet to come.

Answer 3: We heard in [the Budget] Spring Statement that VAT would be removed on insulation, heat pumps and solar panels in Great Britain, but because of the Protocol and being part of the EU VAT regime, we still have to pay VAT on these items.

In effect, the Protocol is making it more expensive to heat and insulate a home in Clogher than it would be in Canterbury.

Answer 4: Stormont will best work for the people of Fermanagh and South Tyrone when there is root and branch reform of its structures.

People are tired of moving from crisis to crisis. I and my party want to make Northern Ireland work for everyone, and to make it a great place to live and raise a family.

But the current system of mandatory coalition entrenches division – it gives parties a place in government without having to agree on anything.

Once we normalise politics with parties forming a government voluntarily, and we have the ability to boot the lazy, incompetent and the dubious out, then Stormont can deliver for Enniskillen and Moygashel.

Answer 5: If elected, I will do all that I can to thwart the Irish Sea Border, and if my party was asked to nominate a Deputy First Minister to a Sinn Fein First Minister, we will not do it. Will any other Unionist party give that same guarantee?

Answer 6: If the good people of Fermanagh and South Tyrone are happy with the current calamitous system of government which squanders money on pet projects, and is always on the verge of collapse, then I am not their man.

But if they want somebody who will fight against the Irish Sea Border, misspending and bad government, then I am their man.