UUP man defects to DUP
THE chairman of an Ulster Unionist association in Northern Ireland is joining the DUP.
Mark Brooks, 45, who headed the north Down branch, switched sides after the UUP’s sole MP Lady Sylvia Hermon said she would not stand for them at the next general election.
Controversy
Last week, Lady Sylvia said she would not campaign under the Conservative and Unionist banner adopted by the party in recent months.
Mr Brooks said: “I don’t have a problem with the personalities involved and I think the UUP will come again but at the minute it just looks very bad and from my point of view I could not continue to be chairman of the association.
Improvement
“From my experience as a businessman in north Down I have watched the DUP on the ground as they serve their constituents and I feel I would be better with them.
“I believe I could make a real change in the future with the party.”
He has been a member of the UUP for the last six or seven years but has never been elected. Originally from Lisburn, Co Down, he runs a restaurant in Donaghadee.
