MR JOHN Gorman, a leading Catholic businessman, is every inch a loyal servant of Queen Elizabeth. He joined the British army at the age of 18, was awarded the Military Cross, and marched forward from there.
He was a senior RUC officer; ran British Airways in North America and South Asia; became chief executive of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and was director of the Institute of Directors.
He is now an Ulster Unionist candidate in the May 30th election. "Gardening, bee keeping and Northern Ireland - those are my interests," he declares. The British governor of Hong Kong, Mr Chris Pallen, is a good friend, and Mr Gorman (73) meets Queen Elizabeth regularly.
He points to his long, detailed entry in Who's Who - just above his namesake, Teresa, the Tory MP. "More than half a century of public service there," he says with pride.
It's a family tradition. His father left a prosperous farm in Tipperary to join the British army. He fought in the first World War, came home and joined the RIC.
After the Treaty, he personally handed over a major police depot to Michael Collins. "They were old enemies, yet there was no ill feeling," says Mr Gorman. "They were men of honour."
But as the British withdrew from the South, the Gormans headed North. Mr Gorman's father joined the RUC. "I grew up in Co Tyrone and I've always loved the province, he says. "I'm delighted that the Ulster Unionists have chosen me as a candidate."
Mr Gorman has a kindly, weather beaten face and a bushy moustache. In worn corduroys and a woollen jumper, he is the epitome of the retired country gentleman.
He lives in The Forge, a handsome white house in the Co Down hills, near Killyleagh. He was once high sheriff of the county. His two black labradors come bounding down the laneway to welcome visitors.
The house has pine doors, brass handles and baskets of dried flowers hanging in the kitchen. There are glossy rubber plants, jugs of irises and African carvings. The Spectator sits in the bathroom.
Mr Gorman offers a glass of white wine, apologising that "it's not a particularly good vintage". He never formally joined the UUP, he says. "I simply made it clear what my views were over the years' and voted that way."
He doesn't know the number of Catholics in the party but is sure it's substantial. "Catholic support for the Union is higher than is publicly perceived," he says. "Few say they're unionist, but lots vote that way.
"Not one Catholic friend has called me a traitor for standing for the UUP. They've all been most encouraging. One even gave me a cheque for £50." He believes that the middle classes should become more politically active.
"It's time that moderate people, especially Catholics, took an interest in the Union. Those who have been in the army or public service should get involved.
"At a dinner party recently, a friend - who is a great entertainer - said that politics was never discussed at his table. What's wrong with us? Imagine the French or the Italians behaving like that?"
Mr Gorman says that he has never witnessed sectarianism in the UUP. But he would like to see a less formal link between the party and the Orange Order. He is appalled by the behaviour at some Orange marches.
"At Drumcree last year, there were hordes of drunks throwing stones and bottles, and they were petrol bombing the police on the Ormeau Road last month."
Most Orangemen are decent, law abiding people but it takes only a few hooligans to ruin everything: "This country is full of people who pour out of the pubs at night looking for a fight."
Mr Gorman has been nominated in third place on the UUP's regional list, which is headed by David Trimble and John Taylor.
The UUP leader and his deputy are certain to be elected in their own constituencies, so Mr Gorman is guaranteed a place at the forum.
He is busy writing an autobiography, but doesn't mind devoting time to "anything which could bring peace".
He hopes that the IRA will reinstate its ceasefire. He admits that he is intrigued by Sinn Fein leaders and rather admires Gerry Adams.
"He is heading in generally the right direction", Mr Gorman says. "Canary Wharf was probably due to indiscipline in the IRA. I don't think he wanted it. Mr Adams has done his best to hold his troops together. It's a tricky operation.