Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie said he feels confident Mr Collins can win the North Down seat.
Retired Colonel Tim Collins will run for the Ulster Unionist Party in the next general election, the party has announced.
Col Collins, known for a rousing pre-battle speech he made while serving in the British Army in Iraq in 2003, will be the party’s candidate in North Down.
He will challenge sitting North Down MP Stephen Farry, who represents the Alliance Party, in the ballot expected to be held later this year.
Thrilled to welcome Col. Tim Collins to the @uuponline to contest the North Down Westminster seat. A true leader with a wealth of experience, Col. Collins brings a strong and principled voice to our Party and to ND. Let’s unite behind him and work towards a brighter future for ND https://t.co/7K6UdTbwKI
— North Down | Ulster Unionists (@NorthDownUUP) January 24, 2024
Ulster Unionist leader Doug Beattie, who served alongside Col Collins in Iraq, told the Belfast Telegraph he is “very confident” the 63-year-old can win the seat.
The party has not been represented in the House of Commons since former South Antrim MP Danny Kinahan and former Fermanagh and South Tyrone MP Tom Elliott lost their seats in 2017.
In a statement Mr Beattie said: “I am delighted that Tim has decided to run as our candidate in the forthcoming Westminster election.
“Tim’s experience in the military and business across the globe has provided him with the ability to communicate and engage at every level.
“I look forward to campaigning with Tim in the coming weeks and months and the returning of the Ulster Unionist Party in North Down to Westminster.”
