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Ulster Leader Sir Reg Empey visited the Shankill Road today to support Ulster Unionist candidate for West Belfast Louis West.

During his visit to the Shankill Road, Sir Reg talked to the local people about their hopes for devolution and the issues facing them in their every day lives.

Sir Reg said: “Hard pressed families are facing water charges and increases to their domestic rates. This is unbearable, particularly for young families in the area. It is unsustainable and fundamentally unfair.

“The one way to get a fairer alternative, to ensure fairness for all, is to get devolved locally accountable government up and running here.“

UUP candidate Mr West, who has spent a lifetime in community development work in the Greater Shankill area, said: “Having worked on housing issues and been involved in community work in the Shankill community for most of my life, two issues are coming across loud and clear - private rents are too high, and there not enough social housing.

“This is putting pressure on the community and is driving the local population away.”

He added: “Young people need hope. They need to be equipped to seize opportunity. That means ensuring that our young people have the skills necessary to successfully gain employment.

“A recent House of Commons report has found that the numeracy and literacy skills among Protestant communities are low. Our children are being failed.

“Proper investment in schools and support for our teachers is vital to providing hope and opportunity for all.”

Ulster Unionist West Belfast constituency association has selected Louis West as its candidate for the upcoming Assembly elections.

At a widely attended meeting in West Belfast last night, Mr West was unanimously selected by local members.

Association president Dr Chris McGimpsey said: “West Belfast Association is pleased to have selected such a strong local candidate.

“Louis is ideally positioned to offer determined and effective representation for the people of the area. He has worked hard for this community all his life and will continue to do so.”

In his acceptance speech to the delegates, Mr West stressed that key issues for his campaign would be domestic rates and water charges, educational disadvantage and affordable housing. Mr West has spent a lifetime in community development work in the Greater Shankill area. He is a founder, amongst others, of Farset Youth & Community and Farset Development Agency.

He was also a founder member of the Greater Shankill Community Council and helped to form Woodvale and Shankill Housing Association, and Tennent Street and District Housing Association (now known as Filor Housing Association).

An ex-serviceman, he saw active service overseas during a varied military career.