Brian Wilson to stand as independent in North Down #ae16

steven agnew brian wilsonFormer Alliance (and independent) councillor and former Green Party leader Brian Wilson is stepping back into politics and standing as an independent candidate in North Down in a move that will disappoint both the Green Party and Alliance.

The veteran politician will celebrate his 73rd birthday ten days after the Assembly poll. The News Letter reports his explanation:

When I left the Assembly in 2011 I certainly had no wish or intention to return but as I followed the action or more accurately the inaction of the Assembly over the past five years I began to despair as all the goodwill enjoyed following the Executive agreement was being rapidly lost.

The Assembly has become known for its allowances scandal, gridlock, refusal to hold Executive meetings, petty bickering, insults over language and point scoring over incidents of decades ago.

To many particularly the young it has become a sick joke. Instead of agreeing plans for the future the emphasis has been on point scoring and blame for events of the past. No wonder our young people are leaving in droves.

It seemed like the hatchet had finally been buried when over the past few years Brian Wilson didn’t leave any criticisms in the comments section under my posts about the annual Green Party Conference.
As well as a continued calling to public service, this move back onto the election paper – albeit at the very bottom – will be seen as a sign that old wounds have been reopened and dissatisfaction has spilled out into action.
Looks like his West Bangor News may have to be brought out of retirement.

 

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