Tom Elliott faces election challenge from cousin
Denzil McDaniel • Published 28 Jan 2011 09:00
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The TUV (Traditional Unionist Voice) has entered the race for the Assembly by announcing that Alex Elliott will contest the Fermanagh-south Tyrone constituency.
With the Jim Allister-led party in opposition to power-sharing arrangements at Stormont, Mr. Elliott says he will provide Unionists with an alternative to “12 years of disastrous government.”
Mr. Elliott, a 53-year-old former policeman, will be the fifth candidate on the Unionist side, with two each for the DUP and Ulster Unionists.
A twist to the election is that Alex Elliott is a first cousin of UUP leader, Tom Elliott and both men live in Ballinamallard.
However, Alex Elliott says: “As a Unionist my primary battle is with Sinn Fein, and on the Unionist side my battle is not a personal one with Maurice Morrow, Tom Elliott or Arlene Foster. It is with a failed political system of governance administrated by both their parties; the DUP and the UUP.”
There is no doubt, however, that even with a PR election, it will be intriguing to see the impact the TUV will have on the Unionist shake-up of votes.
Until today, much of the focus has been on the Republican-Nationalist side.
Sinn Fein has already announced that Michelle Gildernew, Sean Lynch and Phil Flanagan are their candidates. The party has two seats in Fermanagh-south Tyrone and are aiming for three with the SDLP vote shrinking.
Veteran Tommy Gallagher and not Fearghal McKinney has been selected by the SDLP, and with Gallagher the party’s only candidate, the question of transfers comes into play.
However, Sinn Fein also have to face a challenge in their Republican constituency. Former member Gerry McHugh has confirmed that he will fight as an independent, and another former Sinn Fein Councillor Pat Cox previously indicated his intention to do likewise.
At present, Unionists also hold three of the six seats, with Tom Elliott, Arlene Foster and Lord Maurice Morrow all expected to go again. Tom Elliott is being accompanied this time by Kenneth Donaldson.
The main parties will, however, be challenged by the TUV’s Alex Elliott.
His party leader, Jim Allister has described Mr. Elliott as a candidate of “calibre and experience.”
Alex Elliott is a 53 year old married man with a grown up family of three. Mr. Elliott is an ex member of the Ulster Defence Regiment and retired police officer who served in many areas throughout Fermanagh and South Tyrone. He is the holder of the Queens Commendation for Bravery which was conferred on him in 1986. He is a native of and presently resides in the Ballinamallard area having dedicated much of his life in public service to Counties Fermanagh and Tyrone.
He is presently Census Area Manager for County Fermanagh and an Examinations Invigilator at South West College, Enniskillen. He is an ex-pupil of Portora Royal School and a graduate of University of Ulster in both Management Practice and in Business Studies.
Mr Elliott enjoys ‘rough shooting’ and trains his own gun dogs. He is a keen gardener and a DIY enthusiast and has always had an keen interest in the political landscape of Northern Ireland and further afield.
He is a Church Warden and member of the Select Vestry at Magheracross Parish Church in Ballinamallard. He is held in high regard in his local Orange Lodge and serves as Deputy Worshipful Master in LOL 443.
Speaking of his candidature, Mr Elliott said: “We have suffered 12 years of disastrous government at Stormont. To say the least, our Executive has stood idly by while jobs and the economy have gone down the drain. There is now a real desire for democratic change and TUV is the only party with an agenda for real change.
“It is with a system of government which has already failed its people and has left this country and many in economic and financial ruin. We cannot allow this to continue; otherwise our country will remain in reverse gear for many years to come. We must be allowed to change our government and have an Opposition.”
Mr Elliott continued ‘Traditional Unionism in Fermanagh/South Tyrone is now providing the electorate with an opportunity to change and improve Stormont for ever. I will be encouraging voters to seize the opportunity and don’t be disappointed with another four years of disastrous Government. Remember, you get what you vote for. Vote, again, for the parties that have brought failure to Stormont and you’ll get more of the same.”
Being a strong advocate of the Union, Mr Elliott first came to the fore in 1985 when as a Police Federation representative he delivered a speech to RUC Officers condemning the impossible position police officers had been placed in, due to the signing of the Anglo Irish Agreement. He stated that RUC officers were expected to turn their backs on the communities that once protected them from IRA attack.
Commenting, the TUV Leader Jim Allister said, “I am delighted that we have a candidate of the calibre, experience and background of Alex Elliott. He will be an excellent MLA for Fermanagh & South Tyrone.
“We know from the European Election that TUV had widespread support in this constituency and we look forward to building on that. Because of our desire to see Sinn Fein defeated, TUV stayed out of the first past the post Westminster election, but in a PR election voters can afford the luxury of choice, without risk to the holding of three seats in this constituency for unionism. This is achieved through full use of preferences across the unionist family, something TUV has always advocated.
“After the last four years of deadlock and failure at Stormont it is imperative voters have the alternative of voting for a party untainted by that failure and which has clear vision on the need for radical change to make Stormont work. Re-electing the present parties will bring more of the same, electing Alex Elliott will force the agenda towards a durable, workable and democratic Stormont, where parties are in government on merit, not as of right, and where an Opposition is permitted and voters have the basic right to change their government.
“I look forward to campaigning in Fermanagh & South Tyrone with Alex and believe offering a fresh face and fresh approach, in contrast to the stale failure of the present Stormont, will resonate well and give many, disgusted by both terrorists in government and the failure of that government, a reason to vote,” concluded Mr. Allister.
This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 27 Jan 11
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