Lisburn branch chair quits UUP

THE Chairman of the Lisburn branch of the Ulster Unionist Party, Mr Roderick Oliver (right), has resigned from the party saying new leader Tom Elliott is going in a direction he cannot support,

His resignation comes after it was reported that another local activist, Mr John Lund, was suspended and subsequently resigned after he criticised the party leadership.

Mr Oliver, who has been active in the UUP for many years, said he felt the party was not moving in the right direction. He also said he had been a great supporter of the link with the Conservatives and was disappointed that link had ended.

"I have little confidence in the Chairman or Leader of the Party at the minute," he explained. "I feel the Party is regressing back into the position it was in many years ago and it is far too beholden to organisations such as the Orange Order for my liking.

"I feel it is no longer a party I feel comfortable in," he continued. "The direction the new leader is taking doesn't appeal to me."

The Secretary of the branch, Alexander Redpath, said it was a "shame" that Mr Oliver had decided to resign but insisted the branch would continue to grow.

"It's a great shame that Roddy has made this decision," said Mr Redpath. "I would like to thank him for his service and wish him well for the future.

"The Ulster Unionist Party is bigger than any individual and the branch will continue to grow and increase its activity. It's been a great year for the branch with new members and record levels of fundraising and our new Chairman will doubtless carry on this trend.

"We have a number of strong council candidates coming forward for selection and we are confident of increasing our vote in the next elections," he concluded.

[email protected]

Roderick Oliver, when he was elected as Chairman of the Lisburn branch in 2008.