ELECTION RUNNERS GET ON THEIR MARKS
PARTIES ANNOUNCE RAFT OF CANDIDATES
A MOTHER-of-three is aiming to become the DUP’s newest face at Westminster — despite having never stood for election.
The biggest unionist party is hoping a fresh female face can break through in the traditionally close contest of South Down.
First timer Diane Forsythe is replacing veteran DUP man and former Stormont minister Jim Wells as the party candidate, although she has no previous political experience.
Her father Glyn Hanna is a member on Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.
DUP leader Arlene Foster said she was “delighted” the Kilkeel woman had been selected to fight the constituency, and added she would have all the “experience and know-how” of Jim Wells behind her.
Former Sinn Fein minister Chris Hazzard is strongly challenging the incumbent SDLP representative Margaret Ritchie, and the DUP is hoping that in a tight contest under the first-pastthe-post system, a unionist could come through on the outside.
Mrs Forsythe, who went straight back to her work as an accountant following the DUP candidates launch yesterday, said: “I have been greatly heartened by the support and encouragement that I have already received from both my party colleagues and people from right across the constituency.
“I will be asking the people of South Down for their support to be their voice in Parliament on the local and national issues that impact upon their lives.”
Mrs Forsythe, who is a keen runner and plays in a pipe band, added: “A vote for the DUP in this election is not just a vote for the Union, but for the strongest 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.”
Mr Wells said he had stood in 17 elections in South Down in 35 years and if he had run in the next general election on June 8 it would have been his fifth campaign in just over two years.
He gave the newcomer his sound recommendation. “Diane is an excellent candidate in every respect,” he said.
“She lives and works within the constituency and is active within community life, particularly in her native Kilkeel.
“Diane has also recently been a driving force in the voter registration campaign in South Down.
“She has worked alongside other members of the unionist family and demonstrated her enthusiasm and passion to work for and with the community. I would commend Diane to the voters of South Down and she has my unqualified support.”
The DUP is confident it can win back South Antrim from the Ulster Unionist Party’s Danny Kinahan, and seize South Belfast from the SDLP.
“It also insisted it can hold on to East Belfast despite the absence of a unionist pact, which helped Gavin Robinson unseat Alliance’s Naomi Long in 2015.
This time the DUP believes a galvanised unionist electorate will propel its candidates forward in the first-past-the-post contest. At one stage it was being suggested Mr Kinahan could receive a clear run in South Antrim in return for the UUP staying out of South Belfast.
But, launching the party’s candidates yesterday, Mrs Foster said she believed that, in South Antrim, Paul Girvan had a “track record for delivery second to none”.
“Unionists in South Antrim know it is the DUP that is best placed to strengthen Northern Ireland interests in Parliament,” she added.
Her comments came after UUP leader Robin Swann admitted it would take “hard work and determination” for Mr Kinahan to retain the seat.
South Antrim has flip-flopped between the two main unionist parties for years, switching within a few years from the DUP’s William McCrea to Ulster Unionist veteran David Burnside and back again.
Meanwhile, it also emerged Ukip will not be fielding a candidate in South Belfast.
Party official Bob Stoker said the decision not to stand was a “kick” for both the DUP and UUP to find an agreed candidate to take on the SDLP’s Alasdair McDonnell.