Tom Ekin

Tom Ekin is a politician and business owner in Northern Ireland.

Ekin joined the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland and was elected to Belfast City Council at the Northern Ireland local elections, 1997.^[1] From 2000 until 2002, he served as the Chairperson of the Alliance Party.^[2]

Ekin held his seat with an increased vote in 2001.^[1] In 2004, he was elected Lord Mayor of Belfast, but was chosen ahead of Democratic Unionist Party member Eric Smyth only on the casting vote of Martin Morgan, the previous year's Lord Mayor. Smyth instead stood for the Deputy's election, but was defeated by Joe O'Donnell of Sinn Féin, this time on the casting vote of Ekin. Following this defeat, reports claim that Smyth told Ekin "your hands are covered in blood, you shameless traitor".^[3]

Ekin led the campaign for greater political leadership in Council for the better governing of the City without the usual Sectarian carve up. Financial prudence and efficient decision making were frequent themes. As Chairman of the First Good Relations Working Group, Ekin presided over some fractious meetings about how to accommodate the aspirations of the emerging and proactive Nationalist group and others who were resistant to any change. A progressive Chairman of the Entertainments Licensing Committee, Ekin oversaw and led Licensees to accept their need for greater social responsibility in running their premises. Contentious decisions had to be made, such as electing the first Nationalist, then republican Lord Mayors, the display of flags in the Lord Mayor's parlour, then the flying of the Union Flag 24/7 at the City Hall all created tension, threats and attacks of various sorts.

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