Diana Armstrong has been co-opted to the Northern Ireland Assembly, replacing Tom Elliot, who was elevated to the House of Lords in July.
The new Ulster Unionist MLA will serve the Fermanagh and South Tyrone constituency, which she contested in this year’s general election, losing to Sinn Fein’s Pat Cullen.
The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) has a total of nine elected representatives at Stormont. Armstrong will be the only female and the first on the UUP benches since 2022.
She has served as a councillor on Fermanagh and Omagh District Council since 2016.
Her father, Harry West, was the leader of the Ulster Unionist Party between 1974 and 1979.
A spokesperson for the Fermanagh and South Tyrone Unionist Association said:
“The Fermanagh and South Tyrone Unionist Association have announced the resignation of our Esteemed colleague Lord Elliott of Ballinamallard as Member of Legislative Assembly for Fermanagh and South Tyrone as he now becomes a full-time working peer in the House of Lords.
“As an association we want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude for his remarkable years of public service. Lord Elliott has been a steadfast advocate for our community, working tirelessly to address the needs of his constituents and making a lasting impact on the lives of many as Councillor, MLA and MP. We have no doubt he will continue to be an advocate for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, Unionism and Northern Ireland.
“On Wednesday evening the Association met to select Lord Elliott’s successor and we were thrilled to endorse Diana Armstrong to become the next Member of Legislative Assembly for Fermanagh and South Tyrone.
“Diana is committed to representing the needs and aspirations of our community, and we look forward to the positive changes and leadership she will bring to the table. Her passion, dedication, and vision will undoubtedly make a difference for everyone across Fermanagh and South Tyrone”.
