Double celebrationsfor Deputy Mayor

UUP Deputy Mayor of Carrick, Councillor John Stewart at the count centre in Ballymena shortlly after being elected on Friday. INCT 22-790-CON

The UUP representative topped the poll in Carrick Castle after calling at thousands of homes in the district electoral area, which had an eligible electorate of 12,878 with a total of 5,893 exercising their democratic right on Thursday.

Mr Stewart told the TIMES immediately after being declared elected on Friday evening that he was “over the moon”.

He said: “I did not expect to top the poll. I thought we would poll really well based on the work we have done over the last five weeks.

(file photo) Carrickfergus Ulster Unionist Party candidates John Stewart with son Cohen in his arms, Lindsay Millar and Andrew Wilson with Jim Nicholson MEP and Roy Beggs MLA on the campaign trail. INCT 18-725-CON

“We’ve knocked on 5,000 doors in Carrick Castle and engaged with everyone we could in Carrickfergus, but to top the poll only 30 short of a quota first time around is absolutely unbelievable.”

The result is the second big event in recent weeks for the cricket-loving councillor who became a father for the first time when son Cohen was born on April 1.

“We were over the moon again with that, it was just fantastic. He had his rosette on, he’s been out campaigning with me. I don’t know if he’s enjoyed the campaign but he’s been out with us. We’ll be with him tonight and we’ll celebrate our success.”

Looking forward to being one of 40 new members on Mid and East Antrim District Council, Mr Stewart said major challenges lie ahead.

“I said all along this is going to be the most important election for Carrickfergus in a generation with the merger of the councils. It was important people were recognising Carrickfergus issues and that’s what I stood on, it was a Carrickfergus agenda.”