Unionists present a united front

The UUP leader, who was invited to stand in the constituency for the Conservatives and Unionists following disagreement over the local Ulster Unionist Association’s preferred nominee, Antrim councillor Adrian Watson, submitted his nomination papers at the electoral office in Glengormley on Friday (April 16).

In a show of unity and backing for their party leader, Mr Empey was proposed by councillor Watson, and supported by alderman John Scott.

“We have resolved our outstanding issues and the Mayor of Antrim (councillor Watson) and the Mayor of Newtownabbey (alderman Scott) have been very supportive of me for which I am very grateful,” Mr Empey told the Times.

“There is a simple message from this that we are not disunited and that we the South Antrim Ulster Unionists are determined to defeat the present incumbent, the Rev William McCrea,” said Ulster Unionist MLA Danny Kinahan.

“It is a two horse race, with the leader of the Ulster Unionist Party determined to prove that his Conservative-Unionist link is the way forward and a vision of the union that all sides can support,” he added.

Mr Empey, who has been out and about campaigning around the constituency over the past week, said that he has received a positive reception, adding that he and his Conservatives and Unionists colleagues are confident that they can win the South Antrim seat from the DUP’s William McCrea.