Foyle contender outlines policies

Mr Harding said: "I became involved in politics because I felt I had a lot of experience of real life which I could use to develop my community.

"I feel there are still great injustices in the day-to-day life that people live and believe passionately in aiming to give all children in this country the same educational and social opportunities enjoyed by my own son.

"I simply wish to provide the resources needed to allow people to change their own lives and to benefit the communities they live in, to provide a link between the provision and need and to set us all free from all unnecessary government interference."

Outlining points on which he will fight the UUP ticket, David Harding said: "I represent the strong Ulster Unionist heritage in the Foyle Constituency with the national influence of the Conservative Party. I offer a new start for politics in Foyle, bringing real world experience and a commitment to the undervalued City communities. A vote for me is a vote for the future.

"9,000 residents oppose the politically inspired and divisive name change proposals-so will we. This is no way to build a shared future.

"Foyle needs new jobs and we are committed to developing competitive packages to attract new and expanding businesses.

"We fully support the bid to be the City of Culture as a great opportunity for all traditions in Londonderry.

"The Foyle constituency has suffered from lack of investment and poor strategic planning. There are many social and economic problems that need urgent attention. I am the only candidate offering a direct link to the political power of Central Government.

"On the education crisis we believe that it is good to look at how we can provide an educational system that benefits all children, regardless of background. This must be done through dialogue and consultation, not imposed by political dictat on the grounds of extreme socialist dogma.

"With regard to the Peace Bridge, we welcome the provision of useable connections between the two banks of the Foyle to help make public facilities accessible to all, central to this is that citizens of the Waterside have the right to feel safe and comfortable in their own city centre.

"With respect to transport infrastructure, some long overdue improvements have been made to roads but we believe road, rail and air links need to be urgently improved as part of a cohesive development plan for the constituency.

"And, with regard to hospitals and health, we will ensure that high quality health care is available to all the people of Foyle, decisions on provision must be based on medical and social need and must take into account the time it takes to travel to other centres of population. Targeted Health Education is central to plans for future health management," he concluded.