Belfast City Council elects Nuala McAllister as new Lord Mayor

By David Hunter

An Alliance party councillor has become just the fourth woman to be elected as Lord Mayor of Belfast. 

Nuala McAllister is a representative for the Castle area in North Belfast and was elected first citizen this evening.

The 28-year-old mother of one takes over the chains of office from outgoing Lord Mayor Brian Kingston of the DUP. 

He returned to this evening's council meeting despite laying his father to rest earlier today. 

Other Councillors from all parties expressed thier condolences to Mr.Kingston and his family. 

The new Lord Mayor has announced that her theme for the next year will be "Global Belfast".

IMAGE: New Lord Mayor of Belfast Nuala McAllister and son Finn (9 Months)

Nuala McAllister told councillors “I want to develop Belfast's status as a global city, building upon our rich history as world leaders in ship building, the linen industry, literature and music,” the new Lord Mayor said.

“My aim is to promote Belfast as an open, inclusive and welcoming place to live and do business in; a city that is attractive to visitors and investors alike.

“I also want to celebrate the influence Belfast's diaspora population continues to have across the world. To strengthen the connection with our closest neighbours and our furthest friends," she added.

Previous Female Lord Mayor's include Grace Bannister (Ulster Unionist) in 1981, Naomi Long (Alliance) in 2009, and Nichola Mallon (SDLP) in 2014.

Ulster Unionist Councillor, Sonia Copeland has been appointed the new Deputy Lord Mayor, replacing Sinn Fein's Mary Ellen Campbell.

Councillor Copeland represents the Titanic ward of the city.