Five unionists in chase for two seats in South Down

Five unionists in chase for two seats in South Down

3 February 2016

THE battle for supremacy within unionism in South Down at the forthcoming Assembly election will be the most intense ever.

Five candidates are expected to chase the two unionist seats up for grabs with the majority of runners and riders ahead of the May poll already confirmed.

Independent Unionist candidate John McCallister — who was elected on an Ulster Unionist Party ticket at the last Assembly poll — has confirmed he will be contesting the spring election, with the DUP due to confirm later this week if sitting MLA Jim Wells will be its candidate. Mr Wells has already received the unanimous support of the DUP’s South Down Association and is keen to defend his seat.

Elsewhere, Newry, Mourne and Down councillors Harold McKee and Henry Reilly will be flying the flag for the Ulster Unionist Party and TUV respectively. UKIP is expected to confirm that it will also be entering the South Down contest.

Speaking yesterday morning as he prepared to table his bill to form an official opposition at Stormont, Mr McCallister said he was “increasingly confident” of retaining his South Down seat. 

He believes the values he has always held have not changed and that the various causes he has championed during his nine years are the issues he wishes to continue campaigning on, including the restoration of key services at the Downe Hospital and supporting the public services sector.

Mr McCallister was elected at the last Assembly election as an Ulster Unionist but left the party to form NI21 with Basil McCrea. The alliance fell apart and Mr McCallister has been sitting as an independent unionist for several years.

“I believe there is a recognition that our Assembly needs a strong, independent oppositional voice linked to a party whip that will actually call it as they see it. Practically every other party standing will probably end up back in government so an opposition is important in my opinion,” said Mr McCallister.

He added: “The people of South Down have a chance to elect someone who will not be going into government who will be that independent voice and help hold the government to account.”

Three weeks ago, Mr Wells ended months of speculation by announcing he is keen to stand in the Assembly election. First elected to a Northern Ireland Assembly in 1982, he is seeking the DUP nomination to stand in South Down and if elected would become the longest serving member at Stormont.

Mr Wells was in Ballynahinch on Monday night for a party meeting addressed by new leader Arlene Foster who was joined by politicians and delegates from the South Down and Strangford constituencies.

The sitting MLA’s recent announcement that he is keen to defend his seat run came after a turbulent year in which he resigned as Health Minister amid controversy over misconstrued remarks he made on gay marriage at an election hustings event in Downpatrick. Also last year his wife Grace suffered two strokes which have left her seriously ill and in need of round-the-clock care.

Mr Wells confirmed the party will decide later this week if his application to stand for the DUP in South Down will be endorsed, making it clear that whoever is selected, it is “absolutely essential” unionist voters use the transfer system given the larger than usual number of unionist candidates.

He added: “Whoever is selected for the DUP in South Down, voters must transfer right down the unionist line. Unionist voters need to get their act together to ensure the two unionist seats in the constituency are retained.”