Spotlight

Born is Crossgar, Jim Allister is not currently, an elected politician. He set up the TUV in 2007, as a protest to the DUP’s decision to go into government with Sinn Fein. He was a parliamentary assistant to Ian Paisley, after joining the DUP in 1971. When he left the DUP for the first time, in 1987, he became a QC. He returned to the DUP in 2003, replacing Ian Paisley as MEP. A Euro-sceptic, he was eliminated in the second round of the European Elections in June this year, but attracted 66,000 first preference votes. He has announced his intention to fight Ian Paisley’s Westminster seat at the next election.

David Ford has been party leader since 2001 and represents South Antrim in the Assembly. He is widely tipped to take the controversial post of Justice Minister, when policing and justice powers are devolved. He’s also a member of Antrim Borough and the party’s Assembly spokesperson on Agriculture and Rural Development.

Gerry Kelly is a Junior Minister in the Office of First and Deputy First Minister. He was jailed in 1973 for the IRA bombing of the Old Bailey, but escaped as part of the Maze break-out in 1983. He has represented North Belfast in the Assembly for 11 years. He is a former Sinn Fein spokesman on Policing and Justice.