Popular former DUP councillor declares candicacy

Bradley, who served on Coleraine Council for over 18 years, and is a former Mayor of the Borough, will run alongside his DUP party colleagues Adrian McQuillan and George Robinson.

Last week, Gregory Campbell announced that he wouldn’t be running for an Assembly seat this May, and that he would concentrate on his Westminster duties.

In an interview with The Coleraine Times this week, grandfather of three Bradley admitted that it took a lot of ‘soul searching’ to put his name forward for the position, but he pointed out that in no way was he attempting to fill Gregory Campbell’s shoes.

Bradley stood down as an elected member of Coleraine Borough Council back in 2013, but he says that he has remained a point of contact for people in need since then.

“Since my departure from Council I have worked very closely with Adrian McQuillan, MLA. Both he and George [Robinson] are my first point of contact for help with issues affecting local people. I still get calls from those in need, whether it be with housing issues, or people asking me to point them in the direction of help.

“MLAs George Robinson, Adrian McQuillan, and indeed the local DUP councillors are all part of one team, working together for the benefit of the people of this area.

“If elected my aim is to bring much needed investment to this area.

“In Coleraine alone our local economy has been devastated with the closure of Spanboard, Farm Fed and job losses at AVX and indeed County Hall. Other local people have also been affected by the losses at Michelin and Seagate. Although the DUP has been successful in getting jobs to Northern Ireland, few of them have been in this area. I want to turn this around. The enterprise zone here in Coleraine will be a catalyst for job creation in this area.

“The relocation of DARD to Ballykelly and the other investment there is also a welcome boost to the wider area,” said the Coleraine man.

Speaking about party leader Arlene Foster, Bradley was full of praise for the Fermanagh woman.

He said: “Unionism is approaching a major milestone - it is more fractured than ever, but in Arlene Foster I see a leader of Unionism and someone who can re-unite unionists. I will be proud to be part of Arlene Foster’s team, should I get elected.

“It is critical for me as a candidate that George Robinson and Adrian McQuillan are re-elected given the hard work they have carried out across the Constituency.

“Both George and Adrian have worked tirelessly, as has Gregory Campbell. I would never attempt to step into his shoes, but I know the tireless work carried out by these three men.

“If elected, myself, George and Adrian must ensure that Arlene Foster remains as First Minister. It is my opinion that she is one of the party’s best leaders, she is capable of uniting unionism.”

With three DUP candidates running with nine others in East Londonderry for six seats, Bradley says that vote management is ‘crucial’ in this election.

“The DUP were present from 4pm to 7.30pm at an electoral office event in Coleraine last week. It was a successful event with over 100 people registering to vote. Now is a good time for republicans with the anniversary of the Easter Rising. If you are a republican you vote for one nationalist party, a unionist has the option of many different candidates, that’s why vote management within the DUP is so important,” he stressed.