UUP member to join DUP

The chairman of an Ulster Unionist association in the North is joining the DUP, he announced today.

Mark Brooks, 45, who headed the north Down branch, switched sides after the UUP’s sole MP Sylvia Hermon said she would not stand for them at the next general election.

Last week, Hermon said she would not campaign under the Conservative and Unionist banner adopted by the party in recent months.

Mr Brooks said: “I don’t have a problem with the personalities involved and I think the UUP will come again but at the minute it just looks very bad and from my point of view I could not continue to be chairman of the association.

“From my experience as a businessman in north Down I have watched the DUP on the ground as they serve their constituents and I feel I would be better with them.

“I believe I could make a real change in the future with the party.”

He has been a member of the UUP for the last six or seven years but has never been elected. Originally from Lisburn, Co Down, he runs a restaurant in Donaghadee.

North Down DUP Assembly member Alex Easton welcomed Mr Brooks into the party.

“By joining with us he has put unionism first and recognised that the DUP strategy can strengthen our position within the United Kingdom and deliver a unionist revival.

It is very clear that Mark is committed to the area and is well-known for his hard-work in the North Down business community. I look forward to working closely with Mark as we do our best for North Down and the province as a team.“