McCusker wins the race for UUP seat
Colin McCusker (centre) is congratulated by UUP party leader Tom Elliott and Upper Bann MLA Jo-Anne Dobson.
THE Ulster Unionist Party has selected Colin McCusker to replace Councillor Jo-Anne Dobson MLA in Craigavon Borough Council.
The final choice for the co-option was made by the party’s central executive on Wednesday afternoon, with three in the ‘hat’ - Mr McCusker, Portadown businessman Robert Oliver, and Lurgan hopeful Marc Woods.
Mr McCusker was considered the hot favourite, ever since Mrs Dobson did the ‘double’ last May when she was elected to both the Assembly and the council, but made it clear on election day she would be stepping down from the Civic Centre to concentrate on her Stormont role. Mr McCusker fought and failed at the Assembly poll, with Mrs Dobson and veteran Samuel Gardiner winning through.
The co-option to the council was delayed through in-fighting among Craigavon UUP members. Mrs Dobson was elected to represent Lurgan, and Ulster Unionists there are thought to have favoured Marc Woods, who lives in Blackscull within the Lurgan Ward.
However, the central party views Colin McCusker as a future high-powered politician, following in the footsteps of his later father, Harold McCusker MP, and this won the day. Mr McCusker lives in Portadown, but is a high-ranking officer in the Lurgan Orange District, and is happy at making his first step into politics.
After his selection, he said, “I am honoured to have been chosen by my party to become the new councillor for the Lurgan DEA. I am relishing the challenge of representing the people of the Lurgan. The Ulster Unionist Party has a track record of strong representation and getting things done in Upper Bann, and I look forward to building on this.”
Mrs Dobson commented, “Having worked with Colin during the 2011 election I know that he will make a hard-working and reliable councillor who will be committed to ensuring the people of Lurgan are getting the best possible representation. He is also a committed Ulster Unionist and I know that this is only the beginning of his political career.”
Ulster Unionist Party leader Tom Elliott said, “In Colin McCusker, Lurgan has gained an excellent councillor. He will be a positive addition to the Ulster Unionist team in Upper Bann and I look forward to working with him.”
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Weather for Portadown
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 8 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
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