Jim Wells has represented South Down in the Northern Ireland Assembly since 1998 - he was also the Assemblyman for the constituency from 1982 to 1986. He topped the poll in the Assembly election held in November 2003. A member of Down District Council for the Ballynahinch area, he previously held a seat on Banbridge Council and was the chairman of the Housing Benefit Review Board for the Downpatrick area for 8 years.

He served on the Assembly's Enterprise,Trade and Investment Committee and is the DUP representative on the Assembly Commission - the body which manages the Stormont building and its staff. He is also the secretary of the DUP Assembly Group at Stormont.

Since 1998 Jim has campaigned on a wide range of issues including financial aid to the farming community, the relocation of government offices to South Down and improved roads to relieve the traffic congestion which afflicts so many towns in the constituency.

Over the last 7 years Assemblyman Wells has established the most extensive network of advice centres of any MLA in the constituency. Through his offices in Ballynahinch, Kilkeel and Rathfriland he has worked tirelessly on behalf of all the people of South Down. He has represented constituents at numerous planning appeals, social security tribunals, DLA reviews and established a reputation as a very effective public representative.

Councillor Wells played a crucial role in the negotiations which secured the future of South Down's largest employer - the B/E Aerospace factory in Kilkeel and he has also been a leading campaigner for a by-pass for Ballynahinch. A member of the 3 Loyal Orders Jim Wells is a strong opponent of the concessions made to Sinn Fein/IRA brought about by the Belfast Agreement.

Newry Street
Rathfriland
BT34 5PZ

 
 
07751 558 331