Election 2023: Mid Ulster - Disquiet over rates, but status quo to hold sway

The 2019 election saw the DUP secure nine seats and Sinn Fein 17, with the UUP and SDLP taking six apiece. Independents took two last time out, with five of them standing without party backing this time out.

DUP councillor Paul McLean highlighted surging rates and frustration in accessing recycling centres as the key issues – with all his blame resting squarely on Sinn Fein. His party is running 11 candidates.

“This will be the first opportunity for ratepayers to give their opinion at the ballot box since Sinn Fein voted to increase the rates and close recycling centres despite the DUP proposing an alternative lower rate which still protected services,” he said.

Sinn Fein dominates the council but fail to respect British values, the royal family or the Union, he said.

“Families are struggling to get basic services like recycling and swimming lessons, yet tens of thousands are lavished on Irish street signs and nationalist pet projects.”

UUP councillor Trevor Wilson sees the seats breakdown remaining similar – his party is running seven candidates. The biggest issues on the doors are the Windsor Framework and lack of government at Stormont, he said.

“But people are also concerned that rates have become so high. Some people are saying, 'Yes, stick it out, fair play to the DUP', but others are saying they need to get back into Stormont.”

Other key issues are upgrading play parks, introduction of car parking charges, a Cookstown bypass and the need for an all-encompassing health hub.

He said the council has a “terrible reputation”, citing its refusal to send support to Charles III and the “disproportionate spend” on Irish compared to Ulster-Scots.

TUV candidate Glenn Moore said his party is optimistically running five candidates.

“The TUV increased its vote considerably in Mid Ulster's assembly election last year – as it did across the province – lifting over 7.4% of the first preference vote and finishing runner up for the final seat,” he said.

“So we are expecting a breakthrough here, as in many places. With LucidTalk polls putting us level with the SDLP our support shows every sign of holding.”

The main issues, he said, are the “excessive” rates increase of 7.3%, closure of recycling centres, neglect of town centre grass cutting and squandering money on Irish signs while “disrepecting” unionist culture.

The TUV is calling for a local referendum on rates increases above 5% and stands firm against the NI Protocol, he added.

The candidates are:

CARNTOGHER

James Alastair Artt (TUV)

Kyle Black (DUP)

Córa Corry (SF)

Martin Gerard Kearney (SDLP)

Paddy Kelly (SF)

Noreen McEldowney (Aontú)

Brian McGuigan (SF)

Sean McPeake (SF)CLOGHER VALLEY

Frances Ann Burton (DUP)

Gael Gildernew (SF)

Meta Graham (UUP)

Sharon Margaret McAleer (SDLP)

Eugene McConnell (SF)

Kevin McElvogue (Ind)

Seán McGuigan (SF)

Mark Robinson (DUP)

COOKSTOWN

Gavin Bell (SF)

Wilbert Buchanan (DUP)

Eva Cahoon (DUP)

Mark Glasgow (UUP)

Timmy Hagan (TUV)

Chris Hillcox (Alliance)

Cathal Mallaghan (SF)

Kerri Martin (SDLP)

John Fitzgerald McNamee (SF)

Louise Taylor (Ind)

Trevor James Wilson (UUP)

DUNGANNON

James Burton (DUP)

Gerry Cullen (Cross-Community Labour Alternative)

Clement Cuthbertson (DUP)

Claire Hackett (All)

Ian Irwin (UUP)

Karol McQuade (SDLP)

Dominic Molloy (SF)

Barry Monteith (Ind)

Denise Mullen (Aontú)

Kinley Tener (TUV)

Deirdre Varsani (Sinn Féin)

Marian Vincent (Ind)

MAGHERAFELT

Ian Brown (UUP)

Wesley Brown (DUP)

Sean Clarke (SF)

Padraic David Farrell (All)

Raymond Love (TUV)

Christine Josephine McFlynn (SDLP)

Paul McLean (DUP)

Darren Oliver Totten (SF)

MOYOLA

Anne Forde (DUP)

Sheila Maria Fullerton (Aontú)

Jolene Groogan (SF)

Denise Johnston (SDLP)

Derek Irwin McKinney (UUP)

Donal McPeake (SF)

Ian Milne (SF)

Glenn Moore (TUV)

Caleb Ross (All)

TORRENT

Jonathan Buchanan (DUP)

Eimear Carney (SF)

Robert Colvin (UUP)

Simon Fredrick Graham (All)

Paul Kelly (SF)

Dan Kerr (Ind)

Niall McAleer (SF)

Nuala McLernon (SF)

Malachy Quinn (SDLP)

Teresa Quinn (Ind)