Ards and North Down councillor Linzi McLaren has quit the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) and will also stand down as councillor for Holywood and Clandeboye.
Speaking to the News Letter, she raised concerns about the lack of female representation within the party and the lack of support from party colleagues on her ‘progressive aspirations’.
Ms McLaren joined the UUP under the leadership of Doug Beattie and was elected in 2023. She is a former police officer and has regularly spoken about her aspiration to end violence against women and girls.
She is stepping down as a councillor to allow the Ulster Unionists to select someone else for her seat.
She told the News Letter “it has been the privilege of my life to represent the people of Holywood and Clandeboye and I wish the next representative every success”
“I believe political unionism has made grave errors in terms of the Irish language and inclusiveness. Unionism is much more that Protestantism and loyalism, and yet pro-Union voters who do not subscribe to those identities, find themselves politically homeless.”
“I no longer feel I fit comfortably within political unionism, or that my progressive aspirations are supported or welcomed”, she said.
A UUP spokesperson said: “We thank Linzi for her service and support throughout her time as a Councillor for Holywood and Clandeboye. She proved herself a very capable individual, winning her seat with an increased vote, a clear reflection of the trust placed in her by the local community.
“It’s never easy putting yourself forward for elected office, and Linzi did so with dedication and integrity. We wish her all the very best for the future”.
