Taking hard decisions

Sarah Saunderson • Published 15 Apr 2010 10:43 0 Comments

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Westminster Election 2010

Last month, Rodney Connor celebrated a 59th birthday he's not going to forget for a long time.

He opened this newspaper on March 25 to be greeted with a news article on his career in local government to mark his forthcoming retirement as Chief Executive of Fermanagh District Council. The headline "Politics? I would not rule it out" loudly hinted to individuals in both Unionist parties that their enquiries as to whether he may run as a candidate for Westminster may not have entirely fallen on deaf ears. It proved to be the catalyst that prompted his eventual decision to run as an Independent candidate for the Fermanagh/south Tyrone seat in Westminster. His candidature was announced only last Friday.

Explaining the behind-the-scenes work that led to last week's announcement, he said: "Prior to my interview in The Impartial Reporter, with regard to my retirement, I had been asked in passing by someone would I ever consider becoming involved in politics. My answer then, without giving it any thought, was 'no'. Following the interview in the Impartial, people felt that maybe there was a chance I would give it further consideration. I was approached and after some further time and a lot of consideration, I then gave them my terms and conditions under which I would consider the matter. I certainly made it clear I would not be interested in becoming involved in any political party, but that I would consider putting myself forward as an independent to give the people the opportunity to have representation at Westminster.

"I was approached by other people following this, some of whom are not in any political party, and others had to go through processes in order to get agreement that they would stand aside to allow me if I were to go as an independent. All those processes were gone through. I was given assurances of their support on the conditions I had given them".

He's running as an Independent, but there's no doubt that he believes in the Union. "As a Unionist by inclination and background, I believe that Northern Ireland's interests are best served by being part of the UK," he said. "I am from a Unionist and Conservative background. I have been all my life. Churchill was always someone whom I greatly admired".

He rejected absolutely the suggestion that has candidature has reduced the election to a sectarian headcount, as has been suggested. "I am making it clear I am standing as an

independent candidate. If elected, I will take my seat as an independent MP and in order to succeed in my campaign, I need the support of all of the community and I am delighted that many of the Unionists have decided to support my campaign. But many others from many other different sections of the community have already assured me of their support and this what encouraged me in my campaign. My record in 33 years in Fermanagh District Council should demonstrate clearly that I am not sectarian in any way. I am not in any political party nor will I be in any political party. I am going for the support of everyone".

Is the move undemocratic? "How can anyone say offering the opportunity to represent the people of this area is being anti-democratic? I am giving the people of this area the chance to have representation in Parliament. That is what democracy is all about. The business of my standing is to give the opportunity for people to be represented in Parliament," he said.

And he insists that nailing his political colours to the mast has not tainted his legacy at the Council, as some have suggested. "When I retired, if you see what the political representatives said about me, I have always been impartial. I am very proud of my record and indeed it is open to scrutiny. I see no problem with what I am doing, I served the county for 33 years. If I am successful, I can give the assurance that I will continue to serve them as long as people want me to do that."

The issues of importance, he believes, are the economy and the road and telecommunications infrastructure. "My greatest concern has always been the economy. I will now have the ability to influence and improve the attractiveness of this area for further investment to improve the economy of the area.The other area where I have worked very hard at is to secure the new acute hospital. The importance is not just securing the best possible clinical services for this area, but the impact this has had on the economy. The impact the capital investment has had on this area has been enormous at a time when it has been very welcome.

"The other big issue in Fermanagh is that we are on the very west, not only of the UK but of Northern Ireland and our roads infrastructure and associated costs that industry is faced with in competing, even with the east of the Province, are significant and must be addressed. I believe we can secure help from Westminster for all these issues," he said.

The biggest recent blow to industry in this area has been the problems of the Quinn Group, which employs hundreds of people in Fermanagh. Mr. Connor said that he has helped one of the Directors, Mr. Peter Quinn, in the aftermath of the uncertainty caused by the Financial Regulator seeking to put Quinn Insurance into provisional administration.

"The situation with Quinn is one of the most serious matters we have had to deal with for a very long time . . . I have been in regular contact with Peter Quinn and again I have been able to help in some way and arrange contacts. We are hopeful that it will be of some help.

"I know that if anyone can find a way out of the impasse, Peter will. The immediate issue is to allow Quinn-Direct to operate in Northern Ireland. The decision in Court on Monday will give everyone some time to work towards that," he said.

Westminster is still relevant in these times of devolution, he believes. "Representation is very important. Democracy is what we all fight for. It really is extremely important that we have a voice. The people of Fermanagh and south Tyrone need to be represented in Parliament. Geographically, we are removed from London. It is vital we have representation at Westminster. I am going as an independent but I will take the Conservative party whip. No matter which party is in power, and it looks very much like it is going to be the Conservatives, if I am successful, I will take my seat in Westminster. I will be speaking for all of the people of this area. I will be influencing decisions that are being made by whichever party is in power but obviously if I have a link with the Conservatives and they are the party in power, then I would like to think that the influence would be even stronger. I think it is becoming more and more important that we use that influence in Westminster. We are going though very difficult times at the moment. There are going to have to be very difficult decisions to be made. No matter who is going to take decisions, we have to be in the position to make sure Northern Ireland does not suffer and in particular that Fermanagh/south Tyrone is as well catered for as is possible".

"The Conservatives have already indicated what they will do for Northern Ireland by way of creating an enterprise zone.Local corporation tax is also a big issue in this area". "We must ensure that we get the best possible deal for the west," he said.

Responding to SDLP candidate Fearghal McKinney's suggestion that through his link with the Tories and their plans to cut spending that "Rodney Connor is after jobs", he said: "I will not be responding to allegations but I will say if I am elected, I will be in a very strong position to represent this area and I will ensure we get the best possible deal".

Asked about those planned Conservative cuts, he said: "Let's not delude ourselves.We are going to have difficult times, particularly anyone in power. Hard decisions have to be made. I have shown in the past I can make those hard decisions.They will always be made in the best interests of this area".

He is to be out and about canvassing the constituency as we approach May 6. As to support he may get to go out on the doorsteps, he said: "I would hope I have support from many people. I will take support from anyone".

Campaigns don't run on fresh air. He is running an office at Diamond House in the centre of Enniskillen, and has published posters, literature and set up a website. Already he has received offers of financial assistance. "I decided I was going to run as an independent and as such I will have to accept whatever costs are incurred. I do feel very strongly that Fermanagh/south Tyrone is given the opportunity to be represented. I have already had several offers from sources that I would not have imagined. I have had several offers of financial support. It is surprising the number of people who want representation but do not want to get involved in any political parties. This is everyone's opportunity to do that," he said.

He expressed his delight that his nominator when he formally puts himself forward as a candidate tomorrow (Friday) morning will be Mrs. Joan Wilson. "She is a lady whom I have always greatly admired," he said.

He will also be accompanied by Unionist MLAs Arlene Foster and Tom Elliott, who are two of ten who are signing his nomination papers at the Omagh electoral office tomorrow.

Profile:

Age: 59

Family: Married to Liz (who is acting as his election agent) and he has four children:

Education: Head Boy at Strabane Grammar School and graduate of Queen's University, Belfast in Economics and Political Science. He also has a post-graduate Diploma in Management Studies.

Career: After teaching at Bangor Grammar School, he worked in the motor industry importing Japanese cars for Phillips Datsun, the sole importer of Datsun in Belfast. He became Recreation Officer for North Down Council and moved to Fermanagh District Council in 1977 to take up a similar post. He later became Director of Environmental Services and became Chief Executive of the Council ten years ago. He retired from the post in recent weeks.

Hobbies and interests:

An able sportsman who has played squash, cricket and rugby locally. "I am competitive," he said. He enjoys golf as a member of Enniskillen Golf Club. The son of a breadman, he was brought up with a strong Methodist background in Castlederg. A member of Darling Street Methodist Church in Enniskillen, Church still plays an important part in his life.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 15 Apr 10

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