“I decided to get involved and run as an independent candidate as I believed the local area yearned for a strong independent voice and lacked a representative who truly represented republican socialist politics. The sole focus should be to enhance working class peoples and working class emancipation.
“My present thoughts on the political spectrum is that Stormont is unworkable and will be always unworkable.
“It’s a sectarian carve-up which portrays itself as the answer but deprivation, poverty, health waiting lists, mental health issues are just the tip of the iceberg as to the issues many people in lower social-economical communities face.
“Whether it’s a nationalist first minister or unionist, this will not affect the lives of people in disadvantaged communities who face unprecedented challenges right now.
“What I support is a 32-county socialist Irish republic and believe the best way to achieve this is a 32-county national referendum which should be held immediately.
"I believe the advantages of running as an independent is that I don’t have to listen or take direction from a centralised body. I myself am accountable to myself and the people who elected me and take direction from them.
“The challenges of being an independent I haven’t really encountered – with social media and modern day technology I feel I can get my political outlook across to many people in comparison to traditional media methods.
“One challenge I encounter is unfortunately I can’t make it to as many council events/meetings due to also working full time on top of being a councillor.
“I feel council staff should consider this for councillors working full time, something I have raised before but has sometimes fallen on death ears.
“One of the biggest rewards I was personally involved in was how our community rallied together and helped people during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Our volunteers setting up a temporary food bank which has since became permanent and our volunteers delivered thousands of PPE, gloves, masks etc to doctors, nurses, and all kinds of essential staff.
“I’m also proud that I have used my platform as a republican socialist councillor to bring forward motions and proposals to Mid Ulster District Council to try and enhance its residents lives.
“The only other thing I would like to add is that I’d like to thank my wife whose patience, support and understanding has made life easier for me to operate as a councillor as lots of meetings and political events can happen during the week (evenings) or weekends.
“This is most likely something all elected representatives have to endure.”
