Coulter bows out - Swann and Kennedy for hustings

NORTH Antrim Ulster Unionists Mr Robin Swann and Mr Bill Kennedy have been formally selected by the party as its two candidates for the 5 May 2011 Assembly election.

Mr Swann is Chairman of the North Antrim UUP Association, is party spokesman for energy and consumer affairs and was elected to the party’s officer team at the weekend meeting of the UUP Executive.

Mr Kennedy is a veteran councillor and is currently Mayor of Ballymoney. He has a considerable record in local government in the constituency.

In a joint statement, Mr Swann and Mr Kennedy said: “We are delighted to have been selected to represent the Ulster Unionist Party in next year’s Stormont election.

“The UUP has much to offer the people of North Antrim and if elected by the constituency’s voters, we will be building on the solid foundation of constituency work established by Rev Dr Robert Coulter since he was first elected to Stormont in 1998.

“We pay tribute to Robert’s outstanding contribution to North Antrim, Northern Ireland and our party over the years. We would also note the contribution made in North Antrim by Dr Coulter’s MLA colleague, the late James Leslie.”