Dunlop is North Antrim Alliance candidate

Announcing her candidacy, she said: “I took a rest from politics three years ago, for family reasons, and wasn’t sure that I would return but when asked to stand for Westminster as an Alliance candidate in North Antrim I was glad to accept.

“Elections are exciting; they provide an opportunity for change and progress and indeed change will happen in North Antrim as we are guaranteed a new incumbent at Westminster,” she said.

“There are plenty of candidates hoping to take over where Dr Paisley left off but I don’t see much new on offer from the other candidates, so far. I’m sure they all have something positive to contribute but I am concerned that they continue to promote the interests of their section of the community over the needs of the ‘other side’. “However Northern Ireland is now a very diverse region and we see people from many different countries in our shops, workplaces and housing estates who have the same need for a stable, well governed society as the rest of us.

“My biggest fear is that this election will stir up old hatreds and division but I am hopeful that it will be fought on the basis of what candidates will do for their constituents,” said Ms Dunlop.

“I intend to take Westminster seriously and attend regularly, participate in debates and represent all sections of the community. I am well aware of the effects of the recession on North Antrim and my priority has to be securing a stable economic future for the constituency that will underpin improvements in employment, the health service and education.

“There are urgent issues such as the hospital bed shortage, the schools transfer shambles, a lethargic housing market, and proposed cuts in the public sector which need to be dealt with.

“We need to look at new and innovate ways to improve the economy, encourage entrepreneurship, reduce dependence on the public sector and protect our environment. I think that we have lost sight of the bigger picture over the last 40 years and have relied too much on hand-outs from Britain,” said Ms Dunlop.

“Northern Ireland is going to be forced to be more financially independent and it is imperative that we prepare for this and build up our economy as a region. There is huge potential in North Antrim and being an MP would enable me to tackle some of the big issues in the area and to work towards a more economically stable, secure and shared future.

“I look forward to May 6,” she said.