Former Lagan Valley UUP secretary joins the TUV

Colin Preen said he had decided to resign as Honorary Secretary of Lagan Valley Ulster Unionist Association and from the party last October.

"One of my reasons for doing so was my overall utter frustration of the continual daily drip, drip of concessions to Sinn Fein/IRA, all the time weakening the Unionist position and our place within the United Kingdom" he said.

"Twelve years on from the Belfast Agreement, a process initiated by the UUP, and with the reins now firmly taken over by the DUP, one has to pose the question, what has it delivered for the people of Northern Ireland?"

Mr Preen he could now see no benefit in devolution.

"Take a look at the Economy, no major financial aid or business investment, education in shambles with no long term strategy to address the problems facing schools, parents or children, and now the delivery of Policing and Justice, a long time strategic goal of Sinn Fein IRA achieved by 40 years of a bombing and murder campaign and to be delivered finally as a result of the Hillsborough Agreement. The term 'Roll over Unionism', has never carried so much meaning."

Mr Preen continued: "I have never believed in enforced power sharing and would advocate the voluntary coalition concept. The workings of an enforced power sharing Government has and continues to deliver a Northern Ireland Government that is dysfunctional and will continue to weaken the Unionist position."

Explaining why he had now decided to join the TUV, Mr Preen said he had looked closely at political developments and the situation and decided the TUV more accurately reflected his views. "The principled stand of Jim Allister and the TUV, which has growing support throughout the province has encouraged me to become a member and associate myself with the politics of that party" he said.

Former UUP MP and now TUV president William Ross said: "TUV is a rallying point for all disenfranchised unionists. It is therefore my pleasure to welcome Colin into the party.

"Colin, like so many others, is rightly appalled by the current political situation, and like a vastly growing number, he has found his natural home within the TUV as a custodian of Traditional Unionist principles."

The TUV Lagan Valley Westminster candidate Keith Harbinson said: "We are delighted to welcome Colin into our branch in Lagan Valley, and I have no doubt he will be a tremendous asset to us in the upcoming Westminster Election."