Former mayor quits TUV in row over assembly nomination

FORMER Mayor of Lisburn, Alderman Cecil Calvert, has resigned from the Traditional Unionist Voice and revealed he will run in the forthcoming council elections as an independent.

Mr Calvert, who had been a lifelong member of the DUP before moving to the TUV in 2007, said he had taken the decision to resign from the TUV after he failed to secure the party’s nomination as an Assembly candidate for the May elections despite being the only candidate.

At a meeting of Lisburn City Council on Tuesday evening Mr Calvert, who has been a councillor for the Killultagh ward for 26 years, announced he was now serving as an independent councillor and confirmed that he would be running as an independent candidate in May.

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“From the inception of the Lagan Valley TUV branch four years ago, when I was unanimously elected as Chairman, I have worked tirelessly to build up the branch,” said Mr Calvert.

“On the evening of March 10, at our selection meeting for an MLA candidate, our Vice Chairman, Keith Harbinson withdrew his name for personal reasons and I was the only candidate left in for the position. After my presentation and election took place and I was not endorsed as an MLA candidate.

“As no other candidate has put their name forward, Party leader Jim Allister proposed that a central committee would decide on an MLA candidate for Lagan Valley.”

Mr Calvert said he still supported the principles of the TUV but confirmed that he had resigned from the Party following the selection meeting.

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“I have been honoured to be elected time and time again over the past 26 years and I publicly thank my constituents for their faith in me over the years,” he continued.

“The highlight and honour of my political career was to be elected Mayor of this city in 2004.”

Mr Calvert pledged to continue working for the people of Killultagh. “I may be 70 but God has given me health and strength and guidance to go forward for May 2011 Council elections as an independent unionist” he said.

“My life is in God’s hands and not the hands of a political party. I have prayed about it and if it is God’s will then I will get in to sit on this council.

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“I will do my best for the people and I will be going all out to win my seat,” he added.

A spokesperson for the TUV said the party wished Mr Calvert all the best in the future.

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