Belfast City Council has elected a Sinn Fein Lord Mayor
Tom Hartley was elected as Lord Mayor of Belfast at a meeting of the city council today - just beating Diane Dodds , wife of the DUP's Stormont Economy Minister Nigel Dodds by two votes, 25 to 23.
Speaking after his election the Lower Falls councillor said it was his intention to use his year in office to develop the city's political culture away from the politics of diversity.
He wanted to ensure the disadvantaged, underprivileged and the marginalised were made to feel a part of the city, he said.
He pledged to operate an 'open door' policy for all citizens of Belfast.
"This means acknowledging the existence of a diverse political and cultural life, and it includes giving recognition to the breadth of political aspirations and cultural aspirations," he said.
Mr Hartley added: "It will be my aim as Lord Mayor to help develop our city's political culture, away from a legacy of division towards civic and cultural diversity — to turn what divides us into a diversity that enriches our city and
the livers of its citizens.."
Belfast was on the cusp of major change, its people faced many new challenges as they strived to build a prosperous and vibrant city, he said.
"As civil leaders we have an obligation to seek out new opportunities through a meaningful relationship with our business community," said.
Ulster Unionist leader on the council, Davy Browne, was elected to be the deputy Lord Mayor for the next year.
The political mould of Belfast was broken in 2002 when Sinn Fein's Alex Maskey became its first republican First Citizen and the political house did not fall down - as predicted by some hard-line unionists.
Tom Hartley is a 62 year old who has been involved with Sinn Féin for 40 years and represented the Lower Falls on the council for the past 16 years.
Until his election tonight he was chairman of the council's Audit Committee, deputy chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee and a member of the boards of both the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and Belfast Harbour Commissioners.
A keen supporter of tourism initiatives and arts projects, he is a former chairman of the tourism and arts sub-committees.
A familiar figure seen peddling his bike around the city streets, the environmental campaigner will now have to decide whether he wants to be seen in the back of the mayoral gas guzzling limo.
Mr Hartley has written a number of books, including 'Written in Stone' a history of the Belfast City Cemetery.