A LOCAL councillor is vying to follow in her late father’s footsteps and represent Fermanagh and South Tyrone from the benches of Westminster.

Diana Armstrong, of the UUP, has been selected as a candidate in the upcoming general election, where she hopes to win the sole seat in her Fermanagh and South Tyrone constituency.

Her late father, Harry West, held the seat in 1974 while also serving as leader of the Ulster Unionist Party.

Councillor Armstrong was officially selected by the Fermanagh and South Tyrone Ulster Unionist Association on Tuesday night.

She said that if she is successful, she has pledged to provide “strong representation” within what she described as a “marginal seat”.

“The Fermanagh and South Tyrone Constituency has a history of being a very marginal seat,” she said.

“For many years the people of this area haven’t had any representation at Westminster.

“We have heard a lot about no representation at Stormont in the past two years, however, with the exception of a two-year period, Fermanagh and South Tyrone has not had representation at Westminster for over 20 years.

“I ask that you all help to change that. We need strong representation at Westminster – that is where the finance comes from to support departments, the economy, jobs and employees in Northern Ireland.

“Being part of the United Kingdom is positive for the people.”

A spokesperson for the Fermanagh and South Tyrone Unionist Association described Councillor Armstrong as an “exceptional parliamentary candidate” who will “restore our representation in Parliament.”

“Diana’s family has a deep political connection to Unionism,” the spokesperson continued.

“Her late father Harry West, was former leader of the Ulster Unionist Party and former Stormont Agricultural Minister serving as Member of Parliament for Fermanagh and South Tyrone in 1974.

“Her cousin James Cooper LLB served with distinction as chairman of the Ulster Unionist Party under the late David Trimble.”