Tony Mallon, a West Belfast man who recently stepped down as leader of NI People, has applied to join the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP).

Mr Mallon stated that his decision was influenced by the approach of UUP leader Jon Burrows, whom he described as policy-minded rather than ideology-driven. He said he believes Burrows is returning the party towards the centre, away from what he saw as a drift towards the Alliance Party under previous leadership.

A UUP spokesperson confirmed that party records do not show Mr Mallon as a member and that no membership fee has been paid. The spokesperson said due diligence must be carried out before any membership is approved and that this process has not yet been completed.

Mr Mallon has contested several elections as an independent candidate, most recently in the 2023 Belfast City Council election where he received 166 votes. He said that running as an independent made it unlikely he would be elected, describing politics in Northern Ireland as still very much divided along orange and green lines.

He raised concerns about child poverty in West Belfast, saying the area has been represented by Sinn Féin for decades and is among the most deprived in the UK for child poverty. Mr Mallon also called for funding for health and the NHS to be ringfenced and said he supports backing people with business ideas.

Mr Mallon said he is currently a member of the UUP but would not rule out standing for election if put forward by the party.