Nelson declares for East Belfast

Deirdre Nelson is set to go forward as the Conservative Party’s candidate

Conservative councillor Deirdre Nelson has come back to her east Belfast “roots” in a bid to become one of the area's candidates for the upcoming Westminster elections.

Mrs Nelson was picked as the Conservative Party's nominee for the area after a “nerve racking” selection process.

The Conservatives in Northern Ireland have formed an electoral alliance with the Ulster Unionist Party, known as the Ulster Conservatives and Unionist Alliance — New Force (UCUNF).

Both parties within the UCUNF will be nominating their own candidate preference to stand in each constituency throughout Northern Ireland in the Westminster elections. An overall candidate representing the UCUNF will then be selected at a later date.

Mrs Nelson was a councillor for the Ballymena area before moving back to east Belfast to represent the area.

“When the Shadow Secretary of State said he needed someone in east Belfast I happily volunteered to move there,” said Mrs Nelson

“I am an east Belfast native, I only moved to Ballymena eight years ago.

“I grew up on North Road and went to school at Strathearn grammar school. It was just a natural move back to my roots.”

Mrs Nelson defected to the Conservative party from the the DUP in June of this year, shortly before the European election.

“My principles have always been Conservative, from when I lived in London,” explained Mrs Nelson.

“I figured the DUP was the closest party to these principles, but once the Conservatives decided to come over here it was a more natural home for me.”