Patricia, who has stood for the party in the North Antrim constituency in the recent past, will contest the Ballymena district electoral area of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council in the poll on May 2. She told delegates at Alliance’s recent party conference while announcing her candidacy it was a chance to showcase the positive side of the town and its increasing diversity.
“I have been meeting with residents, listening to their concerns and the issues which really matter to them. The biggest topic raised with me by people has not been health, education or even the collapse of Stormont but rather fear – fear of an uncertain future, of a post-Brexit Northern Ireland, of sectarian violence, of unemployment, of anti-social behaviour and of paramilitaries.
“The people of Ballymena are crying out for positive political leadership. They are demanding better and deserve better. That’s why I am standing in this election, because I will work tirelessly to deliver just that. Through Alliance representation on the local Council we can create better services and help develop an integrated, inclusive Ballymena.
“I know things are frustrating in local politics currently but May 2 is a real chance for people to make their voice heard and change things. Alliance vision, values and beliefs are key to driving that change. It is time to move past political stalemate and find solutions, not problems.”