Councillor Billy Webb of the Newtownabbey Ratepayers Association has today announced that he has joined the Alliance Party.
Cllr Webb said: “The Alliance Party offers a radical vision for the future. They are the only party that presents strong and coherent policies to tackle the problems that Northern Ireland faces. In local government, Alliance shares my drive to ensure accountability, value for money, better services and a society free from segregation, sectarianism and prejudice.
“Alliance has a fresh and innovative vision for ending division, making services sustainable and boosting our economy.
“Alliance is the strongest voice for people who want progress and are sick of the Executive and local government failing to deliver. The Executive parties have let people down and show no signs of improving their record in the near future. Alliance’s ambition for Northern Ireland stands in stark contrast to the Executive’s failure to deliver since devolution returned. Alliance is the future, as the stale tribalism of the Executive is producing no benefits for local people.
“I share the same values as the party and I believe that I can best represent the people of Newtownabbey as an Alliance Councillor. I was a member of the Whitehouse branch of the Alliance Party back in the 1970s, so it’s good to be back home again.
“I wish to take this opportunity to pay tribute to those who have supported me over the past 11 years in getting elected to Newtownabbey Council and I will continue to give my best for the area that I represent.”
Alliance Leader David Ford said: “I would like to welcome Billy to the Alliance Party and am very pleased that he has joined us.
“Billy’s move illustrates that more and more people are realising that Alliance has ambition for Northern Ireland and a vision for change.
“Billy has worked well alongside Alliance Councillors in Newtownabbey for over a decade, and he will be a real asset to our team.
“Alliance has a strong team in Newtownabbey and the party is also growing throughout Northern Ireland. Our membership is growing rapidly and the number of elected representatives we have is also increasing year on year.
“Billy is the second high-profile new member we have gained this year, following the defection of Andrew Muir from the SDLP to us. I fully expect that other high-profile figures will find their home with Alliance in future too. Today’s great news is indicative of the success Alliance is having in holding the Executive to account for their poor performance.”
ENDS