Resentment of Sinn Fein MP ‘crosses all religious and political barriers’ says Lutton

Speaking this week Mr Lutton, the agreed DUP and UUP candidate for the March 7th by-election, said those living within the constituency had not been properly represented in the House of Commons since 1997.

He added that vital issues within the constituency were being overlooked, and called on voters to vote for an MP who would “fight” for everyday issues when in Westminster.

“I believe the resentment towards an MP who takes every financial benefit from Westminster but refuses to do their full job crosses all religious and political barriers,” he said.

“In a democracy it is not just about winning the election but about fulfilling the role you are privileged to be elected to. “There are vital issues for the people of Mid-Ulster decided at Westminster.

“People are already feeling the impact of Welfare Reform changes brought about by the Coalition Government yet they have no MP in Westminster to fight their case.

“I believe that the people of this constituency deserve better than to have an MP who can only pay lip service to those concerns. As an MP I would unashamedly support and promote Northern Ireland’s integral position within the United Kingdom, but I would also be there to fight for the every-day issues which people deserve to have raised in their national Parliament.”

Mr Lutton said he is “honoured” to have been selected by both the DUP and Ulster Unionists to contest the by-election.

“As a unionist I have always believed that we were stronger when standing together in a common cause,” he added.

“This is not just the case in Mid-Ulster, but I believe right across the Province the unionist community wants representation that can focus on what unites us rather than on those areas where there may be difference.

“Through finding an agreed candidate I believe that both parties have sent forward a very positive message and have responded to the clear desire expressed by people in the area.”

He concluded: “The election is not just about the possibility of returning a unionist MP from the constituency of Mid-Ulster, it is about returning an MP who will speak up for their constituents.

“Since 1997 the people of Mid-Ulster have been robbed of representation in Parliament and of having issues important to this constituency raised in the House of Commons.”