Alex and his wife live in Ballinamallard. A former police officer, Alex is a recipient of the Queen’s Police Medal.

Why did you get into politics?

I got involved in politics in 2010, shortly after leaving the police service.

My main reason to get involved was the constant betrayal of the Unionist community, not only by the government but also by the main Unionist parties in Northern Ireland.

TUV was an obvious choice as I regard them as a party of truth and honesty.

Why should people vote for you?

As regards campaigning, while speaking to people on the doors, I still regard the Council election as one of [issues about] rates, dustbins, dogs and dirty streets.

But this election, although a Council election, can deliver a much more important message to those who wish to betray Unionism.

I remind voters that Stormont’s return will not save us from the economic blunders of squander and failure inflicted by successive years of failed politics under the Good Friday Agreement.

Nor will Stormont’s return save us from an inevitable tightening of belts to get us out of the financial mess inflicted from within.

But most of all, I tell voters that the [Northern Ireland] Protocol will see an inevitable slide in Northern Ireland’s demise to an economic, then a political, united Ireland, and that TUV are the only Unionist party fully committed to fight that sell-out.

What are the issues you will be fighting for in your DEA?

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council have actually been surviving quite well financially due to the fact that ratepayers are hammered, year on year, with ever increasing excessive rate demands.

TUV is a party of low rates and curbing excessive waste of finances. As a starter, TUV believes that the Council, along with all other councils, should have rate rises capped at 5 per cent, enforceable by legislation, to prevent excessive charges on the public.

This legislation in itself would act as an enforcer to prevent squandering [public funds] on 'pet projects' that many councils seem to promote.

What are the biggest issues facing the Council area?

I believe that the Council should act to improve our towns and villages through development plans after consultation with their inhabitants.

Too often we have seen playparks being built, and that’s the only services provided for another four years.

Council need to be examining how they can best improve the lives and lifestyles of those whom they serve.

The buying up of derelict houses in main streets, so as to return villages and small town to somewhere that visitors would be pleased to visit, is something I would like to see.

The retention of many green areas rather than being sold off to building firms is a right step to preserve open areas.

What are the issues the electorate have raised with you?

Some of the issues raised by voters are concerns regarding the cost of living; mostly oil prices, food prices and rates increases.

After discussion, voters realise that apart from rates, that these are global issues created by foreign wars, the pandemic and unscrupulous organisations taking advantage of various world crises.

How can we improve the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council area?

Improvements to sports facilities – such as Valley Park in Kesh – is another area to explore throughout the Council area.

Despite having three elected councillors living at or near Kesh, Valley Park has no toilets, showers, shelter facilities for young children playing football organised by Kesh Football Club (Juniors).

Issues such as these should be addressed at a local level and brought forward to the Council to put to right.

During my travels, I have noticed that many rented Housing Executive properties are either derelict or in a shambolic state.

Consultation with other Departments can but improve life for inhabitants and neighbours.

If elected, I will serve all the people of Erne North.