Ulster Unionist councillor to stand down in Omagh

AN Ulster Unionist councillor who represents Omagh town has announced his intention to stand down from local politics next month.

Chris Smyth is vacating his seat on Fermanagh and Omagh District Council after being offered an academic position at a university in England.

Mr Smyth recently passed his final examination for his PhD at the University of Ulster.

The academic has been using Structural Equation Modelling techniques to investigate the mental health of the UK population.

Mr Smyth said he felt that it was important to continue his research, and to train the next generation of psychologists, especially given the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

The councillor, who has represented Omagh since he was 21-years-old, will step down from August 4.

He has contacted UUP leader, Doug Beattie, and procedures to select his replacement are understood to be at an “advanced stage”.

Mr Smyth said his heart would always be in Tyrone, but he felt it would not be possible to represent local residents while also working in psychology.

He said, “As a result, I found myself at a crossroads and after long deliberation with friends and colleagues, I believe that at the moment, my path lies in psychology. I will use the rest of my time in council to try and tie up some constituency issues in the town which I have been working on and hopefully give my successor a clean in tray when they take over.”

Describing his  time in council as “extraordinary”, he said, “While we as a council have been involved in some massive projects over the last few years I have personally found the most rewarding experiences to be the little acts which made the experience so worthwhile. My party colleagues have become friends and I will miss them as I enter this new chapter of my life.”

Mr Smyth added, “My party has seen a bit of an upsurge in recent months and I am confident that I leave a seat in good health to my successor and that they will represent the people of Omagh with the zeal, dedication and commitment which I have strived to do so.”