Allister Confirms North Antrim Bid

Unionist hardliner Jim Allister has been formally selected by the TUV to contest Ian Paisley's North Antrim parliamentary seat at the next General Election.

Mr Allister, (pictured) the Traditional Unionist Voice leader, said he was looking forward to challenging his former DUP colleague "immensely".

"This campaign will be about the big political issues of the day, including the DUP’s roll-over at Hillsborough," said Mr Allister, who is fervently opposed to the Stormont power-sharing administration.

He accused Mr Paisley of being absent from Commons votes on "great national issues" including the controversial Lisbon Treaty and attempts to reduce the abortion threshold below 24 weeks.

"Sadly, over recent years very often North Antrim has been voiceless in Parliament," Mr Allister claimed.

"This is the price we in this constituency have been paying for double and triple jobbing."

Mr Allister attacked his opponent's Westminster expenses claims, accusing Mr Paisley of having "one of the worst attendance and voting records" in parliament.

The former Euro MP lambasted Mr Paisley over a DUP property deal in Ballymena, which he claimed "brought politics into such disrepute".

However, Mr Allister conceded he and his party had a considerable fight ahead.

"Of course, the electoral challenge of overturning one of the biggest majorities in the country is significant, but I believe the solid traditional unionist principles which TUV now represents are exactly those which hitherto North Antrim so strongly embraced."

Mr Allister lost his seat in the European Parliament at last May's election. The TUV was defeated by DUP candidate Diane Dodds, and previous incumbents Sinn Fein's Bairbre de Brún and UUP MEP Jim Nicholson.

However, the DUP's polling was greatly reduced. In 2004 the party received 32% of first preference votes, this fell to 18.2% in 2009.

Mr Allister claimed his party secured the remainder of the unionist votes.

(PR/BMcC)