Tom Elliott 51 year old Tom Elliott is married to Anne and they have two children, Chloe and Adam.

He was a councillor on Fermanagh District Council 2001 to 2010 and has been an MLA from 2003 to present He is former Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party and the current Party spokesperson on Justice and also member of the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee.

Q. Which party would you back in a coalition situation, Labour or Conservative, and why?

I’m not committed to any of those two Parties. However in the event of either Labour or the Conservatives not securing a majority of seats in the House of Commons, the Ulster Unionist Party will not simply be going to Downing Street holding out the begging bowl.

At a time of a major constitutional turbulence I will do what is best for the Northern Ireland, Fermanagh and South Tyrone and the United Kingdom as a whole.

Specifically I will be seeking assurances from the parties regarding their stance on the future of the Union, on the support for economic development, the protection of pensions and on their safeguard of CAP reforms finance for Northern Ireland.

Q. If elected, what specific actions would you take to improve wages, health services and the economy in Fermanagh South Tyrone?

The block grant and the process to set it for Northern Ireland must be improved, it is vital to be in Westminster to make a difference to attracting jobs and improving the National Health Service and public services, pay and conditions. That is where the serious lobbying with businesses, with Westminster Government and their officials takes places to secure the significant aspects that will improve the lives of those living in Fermanagh & South Tyrone.

I believe the power to vary Corporation Tax could make a major economic contribution here locally. Economic experts predict it could deliver almost 40,000 new jobs to Northern Ireland.

Another key economic lever we want to use is reducing VAT in two of the most important sectors in Fermanagh – tourism and construction. Specifically I will seek a 5% rate VAT rate for the repair, maintenance and improvement of existing dwellings and a 9% VAT rate for the hospitality sector to put us on an equal footing with the Republic of Ireland.

My Party has made a manifesto commitment that it will seek to increase in the minimum wage in order to rectify inflationary shortfalls in previous years and we support raising the personal allowance of income tax to £12,500.

Q. How would you alleviate the impact of welfare reform on Fermanagh South Tyrone where there are 9,500 DLA claimants?

I have, and will continue to work to protect the most vulnerable in our society, particularly those with special needs, but we must also create the circumstances to help people into work where possible.

Of course the vast majority of the 9,500 DLA claimants in Fermanagh and South Tyrone will not be under any threat of losing their benefit, that is why I have consistently lobbied to safeguard the most vulnerable and will continue to do so. I was involved in the negotiations before Christmas in which the Ulster Unionist Party secured an unprecedented agreement to pilot the new scheme for disability benefits.

Q. What is your message to the 30 per cent of locals who did not cast their vote in the last Westminster election; how can you inspire them?

For the last fourteen years our voice has not been heard at Westminster. Local people have had no say on taxes, on pensions or even the regulations faced by many of our small businesses.

This is your opportunity to make change and be represented in the Westminster Parliament - one of the most influential places in the world - I urge you not to miss that opportunity – Every Vote counts.

Q. How do you think St Angelo Airport could be better used to Fermanagh and South Tyrone’s advantage? Is this something you will focus on if elected?

St Angelo is leased by a private company, I will work with the Company and indeed the owners (Fermanagh Omagh Council) to help progress any plans they may have to develop the airport. I am certain that the best opportunities for St Angelo is having it managed by the Private Sector.

Q. If elected how will you protect Northern Ireland’s CAP reform from a ‘rebalance’ with Scotland?

This is a key aspect for Westminster where in a mid-term review in next 2-3 years of distribution of CAP finance to the regions in the UK it will be vital to be in Westminster fighting for the protection of the distribution to Northern Ireland, otherwise our local farmers could find a significant reduction in their income and reduce their potential to produce food in an efficient way. Our farmers deserve the strongest possible voice in these negotiations – if we don’t have an MP taking their seat or taking part in the debates or votes, the entire rural community across Fermanagh and South Tyrone will lose out.

Q. Where do you stand on the Portora/Collegiate debate in Fermanagh?

Education in Fermanagh is in turmoil. Schools that are efficient, successful and sustainable are being closed, while others in a much less sustainable position are being kept open. I want all schools to be given the support and help to build and develop.

The Education Minister has received the commitment of significant money (£500 million) for capital projects through the Stormont House proposals, so along with what is already in the Education capital budget there is no reason why finance cannot be made available to provide the capital required to develop the requirements for all the local schools, including Devenish, Portora and Collegiate (of course Collegiate requires little Capital spend).

With the relief of St Aidan’s and Brollagh being retained there is no good reason why Collegiate, Devenish and Portora shouldn’t develop on their own right.

Q. The elderly appear to be severely disadvantaged in drastic savings measures the Western Trust is having to make. What are your plans to help this particular section of our population?

The cuts last year in the Western Trust were the worst possible way to make savings. Instead of acting strategically, in a way that would have kept the needs of service users and general patients at the forefront of any decisions, the Trust and the Health Department simply cut areas that delivered the greatest savings at the quickest rate. That included once again shamefully attacking domiciliary care services – that’s unfair not only on the many people who rely on these visits, but also their families and the staff that work so hard doing these absolutely essential jobs.

Transforming Your Care promised to take money from our hospitals and put it into community care. As the cuts to hospitals are implemented, this has not filtered into the community, so that should be a focus to assist the elderly population. This policy if properly implemented could be used to develop rational for a better Westminster settlement of the block grant Q. Where do you stand on plans to close Enniskillen’s Courthouse?

A recent report demonstrated that the average cost for a case in Enniskillen courthouse was much less than in any other Court in Northern Ireland. I fully support the retention of Enniskillen courthouse. I have attended the public meetings held to support the retention and I have met the Justice Minister and his officials to put forward a strong case, particularly in relation to rurality, accessibility and travel times.

Q.What’s been your most embarrassing moment to date?

Forgot my place to say my lines in a school play.

Q.If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items could you not live without?

Family, farm and food.

Q. Describe a moment in your life that has defined you.

There are so many it’s difficult to pick one - However when I decided to enter elected politics it changed my life significantly. I recall the first time I was elected as a Councillor, another Councillor’s wife told my wife that our life would never be the same again – How true.

Q.What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses?

Strengths; Hard work, generally relaxed and believe in God - Weaknesses; Chocolate and sweets Finally: Why should anyone vote for you?

The people in Fermanagh and South Tyrone have an opportunity to have representation in Westminster - The public deserve representation, I urge everyone to take that opportunity and vote for Tom Elliott.