Darren Guy has been selected by the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) to run in Foyle in next year’s election to the Stormont Assembly.

The UUP councillor told the ‘Journal’ he feels that after serving for eight years as an elected representative on Derry City and Strabane District Council for the Waterside District Electoral Area (DEA) the time is now right to stand for election to the Assembly.

Alderman Guy was first elected to DC&SDC in May 2019 when he topped the poll for the Waterside DEA on his first attempt.

He was returned again in 2023.

"I have a sense of immense pride about Londonderry a city with many names, the city I was born in, educated, married, and raised a family in. It is far from perfect, it needs much work in all areas, and it is no secret that we feel under resourced across infrastructure, education, health, and our economic environment. It is important we all work together to improve these issues,” he said.

The 52-year-old former deputy mayor spoke of how it was an honour to follow his late father Jim into front-line politics.

"Growing up in the Waterside, my dad, the late Jim Guy, served as a local Waterside Councillor, so politics were always at close hand, and even as a young lad I showed a keen interest. My dad worked full time in Altnagelvin hospital and devoted much of his time to serving the people of our city. He was an integral part of my decision to make the move into politics,” he said.

Alderman Guy said that through his work in local communities he has ‘experienced first-hand how families have struggled with the rising cost of food, utility bills, and the extortionate cost of fuelling the family car, that private van, or keeping a taxi on the road’.

As a taxi driver he also says he has first hand experience of ‘the state of our roads and trying to maintain...vehicles’.

"I have worked in local supermarkets, factories, drove a taxi for 15 years and now work part time in the Siege Museum – I know, from experience what it is like to face financial struggles.

"The people of Foyle want job security; decent wages; quality education for their kids at all levels; a health system and a modern A&E they can rely on to provide care, both in our hospitals and in their homes when required."

"They crave a GP surgery they can access, not just at times of emergency but the satisfaction to be able to book an appointment at a time that helps their working life. They want a local dentist with regular appointments, and they want to receive their mail on time so that they will not miss appointments and deadlines.

"People want a Northern Ireland that works for them and their neighbours. They want politicians they can trust who will always put their needs above Party interests."

"Those who know me, know what I offer, which I will continue to do for the betterment of everyone in the Foyle constituency,” he declared.