DUP selects a new face for South Down poll

DUP selects a new face for South Down poll

10 May 2017

THE DUP has chosen a mother-of-three to be its South Down candidate at next month’s Westminster election.

Diane Forsythe (33) was confirmed as the DUP candidate on Monday and DUP leader Arlene Foster said she was “delighted” Mrs Forsythe had been selected to fight the constituency.

A daughter of Newry, Mourne and Down councillor Glyn Hanna, Mrs Forsythe has never before stood in an election, and party officials are hoping she can make a major impression in a constituency where the focus is on the battle between the SDLP’s Margaret Ritchie and Sinn Fein’s Chris Hazzard.

Mrs Forsythe — who attended the DUP Westminster election candidates launch in Belfast on Monday — said she has been “greatly heartened” by the support and encouragement she has already received from both party colleagues and people from right across the constituency following her nomination which she said came “after a whirlwind few days.”

She continued: “I am delighted to have been selected as a candidate in this election and look forward to taking a positive unionist message to people right across South Down. I will be asking people for their support to be their voice in Parliament on the local and national issues that impact upon their lives.They want to have a strong voice at Westminster and only the DUP can provide that.”

Mrs Forsythe, who is a member of a local running club and a member of Ballymartin Pipe Band alongside her father, said a vote for the DUP in next month’s election is not just a vote for the Union, but for strong representation at Westminster.

“Following the decision by the United Kingdom to leave the European Union, it is vital South Down has a strong voice in Parliament and only the DUP can work with our Government in Westminster to secure the best deal for Northern Ireland,” she continued.

Mrs Forsythe said she is up for the challenge the Westminster election will present and feels “really honoured” to have been asked to stand in South Down, explaining she has been quite involved with the party since the last Assembly election.

The election candidate said she has been working alongside the wider unionist family in the area to get people back motivated and registered to vote and has been “quite overwhelmed” by the popular support she has received from people.

“The election will be a challenge but it is one I am looking forward to,”she continued. “I am so excited and so positive. I have always been within the unionist community and am so supportive of Unionism in general and am looking forward to the campaign. I have a real hunger to speak up on behalf of the unionist community and understand more what is going on. I want to get the pro-unionist vote out there to support the Union.

“I will be delighted with a good turnout to support me and the party and I think it is time for unionists to recognise this is such an important election,” said Mrs Forsythe.

“The Brexit vote has happened and the DUP knows the important thing over the next few years is to support the Brexit deals that are to be negotiated to get the best for Northern Ireland and support the union to make us as strong as ever.”

Mrs Forsythe appealed to voters to come out to support a party which will have a “strong voice” in the Union and said people she has spoken to want to ensure Northern Ireland is strong and they are protected, particularly as there is no Stormont Executive at the moment.

She added: “I hope people will come out on June 8 and vote for the DUP. It will be my first election and one I am very much looking forward to.”

Mrs Forsythe is the chairwoman of the Board of Governors at Kilkeel Nursery School and a member of various groups and organisations. Last year, the keen runner took part in the Dublin marathon.