DUP host Dundrum meeting

DUP host Dundrum meeting

18 April 2018

BREXIT, health, education, culture and identity and job creation were among the issues discussed at a meeting held in Dundrum last week organised by the DUP’s South Down Constituency Association.

The meeting held at the village’s Orange Hall was the latest the party is organising across the constituency, with South Belfast MP Emma Little-Pengelly and political historian Dr Andrew Charles the guest speakers.

Also in attendance at the event chaired by Mrs Diane Forsythe — who stood for the party at last year’s Westminster election — were Newry, Mourne and Down councillors Harry Harvey, Glyn Hanna, William Walker and Garth Craig.

In addition to discussions on Brexit, health, education, culture and identity and job creation, the meeting also focused on the continued political impasse at Stormont.

The DUP South Down Association meetings which are being led by Mrs Forsythe have been described by party officials as a “worthwhile exercise to seek and engage local opinion.” 

Officials say the Dundrum meeting once again clearly demonstrated that the overwhelming number of the unionist family stand as one and fully support the DUP leadership and negotiating teams in their refusal to give in and “succumb to Sinn Fein threat and propaganda with regard to unionism’s non-acceptance of Sinn Fein red lines that block the return of local government over their intransigence explicit to demands for an Irish Language Act.”

DUP officials say the South Down Association, like the wider unionist family, is disappointed that important government departments are “deprived” of financial spending powers to the detriment of everyone, especially in areas of greatest concern including health, education, jobs and industry protection, the agri foods and fisheries sectors, roads and environmental infrastructure. 

“Sinn Fein’s blind-defiance is unhelpful and sectarian in its working approach to the present talks and negotiation process and clearly demonstrates that at present it is unfit for government,” said a South Down Association spokesperson.

“Unionism applauds its politicians in their present stance and would encourage them not to give into any Sinn Fein propaganda, blackmail or threats. In future months, the South Down Association plans to hold further explorative and informative evenings throughout the length and breadth of the constituency.”

The Association thanked Mrs Little-Pengelly and Dr Charles for taking part in the event and Mrs Forsythe for hosting the Dundrum meeting and “proving to be such a well-informed, strong and able advocate for unionism.”

Thanks were extended to those who supported the event, with the meeting brought to a close by branch chairman Glyn Hanna.