Politics

Former solicitor Conor Houston selected as SDLP candidate in Strangford

Conor Houston
Conor Houston Conor Houston

THE SDLP has selected a former solicitor as its Stormont election candidate in Strangford.

Conor Houston, who in his most recent professional guise "provided trusted strategic advice to senior leaders across business, government, the third sector and entertainment industry", is governor of the Irish Times Trust and an LGBTQ+ campaigner.

The 38-year-old is hoping to be the first nationalist ever elected in the unionist-dominated constituency.

In the 2017 assembly election, SDLP candidate and Portaferry councillor Joe Boyle came within 200 votes of securing a seat.

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said: "Like many of us Conor is fed up of the status quo and has put himself forward to do something about it".

Mr Houston said: "For 20 years we’ve been represented by the same political parties and I’ve had enough of being let down by people and parties more interested in themselves than the needs of the people they represent".