Mayor Kennedy joins UUP

Joining the team last week Bill - a former DUP and Independent councillor - will be a boost to the Ballymoney Association.

Welcoming him to the party, leader of the Ulster Unionist Party Sir Reg Empey said: “As a well known individual locally and as an already hardworking councillor Bill is a welcome addition to the UUP team in Ballymoney.

“I have no doubt whatsoever that he will be a tremendous boost to our Party working for the good of all citizens.

“I hope he enjoys his time representing the party at local level alongside a diligent and hard working team.”

Association Chairman Robin Swann said: “I have known Bill for many years – I know he is an extremely hard working councillor and I know he will enhance the Party’s profile within this constituency. As mayor he has proved that he is fully representative of the whole community here in Ballymoney and I look forward to working alongside him as he joins the Ulster Unionist team.”

Commenting on his decision to join the UUP Bill said: “Although I have represented council for many years I am delighted to be joining the UUP here in Ballymoney.

“I have had a good working relationship with the UUP councillors over the years and look forward to working alongside them as party colleagues. I look forward to playing an active role within the Party for all the constituents here in Ballymoney.”

He added: “I was asked about joining the Ulster Unionist Party about three years ago now and I never ruled it out.

“It went quiet for a while after that then I was asked again and accepted.

“I’m very happy to join the party. I was always very much attracted to the UUP.

“They have done a lot for Northern Ireland as last few years.

“Indeed had it not been for the UUP there would be no Northern Ireland Assembly.

“I feel very strongly the Ulster Unionists did the spade work and broke new ground.”

Mr Kennedy said he is confident a UUP resurgence is on the horizon.

“I think the party has nearly come full circle,” he said.

“It is being reinvigorated again.

“There will be new leadership I understand in the next few months.

“I’m looking forward to seeing progress and making strides for everybody in Northern Ireland.

“There are a lot of challenges for everybody in Northern Ireland but I think the Unionist party has the experience and is in a good position to speed recovery.”

The Times had learned of the move some weeks ago, but Cllr. Kennedy was reluctant to confirm his new party when approached and asked for no publicity at that stage.

Behind the scenes moves are known to have been ongoing for sometime between local UUP members and the Councillor and at the annual meeting the votes of the two sitting UUP members were vital in securing the Mayoral position for Cllr. Kennedy.

Initially, they planned to abstain from voting, but when two DUP members did not attend the meeting, the councillors changed their approach.