Monthly Archives: March 2012

Published on Thursday 29 March 2012 18:03 AN event will be held at Carrick Town Hall tomorrow (Friday) morning to help voluntary and community groups work better with the Northern Ireland Assembly and its committees. Delivered in partnership with the Carrickfergus Community Forum, the programme will include workshops and presentations plus advice on how to make submissions to Assembly committees and contribute to inquiries. Local MLAs will also provide practical tips on how to get local community-based issues recognised. East Antrim MLA Roy Beggs said: “MLAs are mindful of the very vital and crucial role that the community and voluntary sectors play across Northern Ireland. It is therefore a great pleasure for me, both as Deputy Speaker and as a local MLA to host these workshops on behalf of the Northern Ireland Assembly and I hope that they will provide tangible benefits for local organisations in East Antrim. “The Assembly … Continue reading →

Published on Thursday 29 March 2012 10:45 Chairman of the Larne branch of the Ulster Unionist Party, Andy Wilson, has described the contest for the UUP leadership as “an opportunity to reconnect with the voting and non-voting public”. Speaking at a branch meeting, the former mayor said: “Party members will have the opportunity on March 31 to vote for a new leader to take the party in a new direction and re-establish it as a credible alternative to the current status quo. “Whoever wins – whether Mike Nesbitt or John McCallister – will have a mandate to make sweeping changes within the party to make it fit for purpose once again. There may be painful decisions to be made in the short term, but a new leader must be given the task to recreate a party with a clear purpose and programme to place before the electorate ahead of the … Continue reading →

Published on Monday 26 March 2012 15:04 LOCAL Ulster Unionist Roy Beggs has given his backing to Mike Nesbitt in the party’s leadership campaign. The MLA said he was surprised when current leader Tom Elliott decided to relinquish the role ahead of the party’s AGM on March 31. Mr Beggs was one of four sitting MLAs present at the launch of Mike Nesbitt’s campaign to become leader of the Ulster Unionist Party. Other senior east Antrim UUP activists May Steele MBE and Councillor John Stewart were also present at the launch. Explaining his decision to support Mr Nesbitt, Roy Beggs said: “I and local party members were surprised and disappointed that Tom Elliott decided not to put his name forward to be leader again at the Ulster Unionist Party AGM. “Tom appeared at our East Antrim AGM in January and is popular among our party members. “Nevertheless, this presents an … Continue reading →