DUP leader’s delight after councillors defect to party

17 August 2022

TWO Newry, Mourne and Down councillors have defected to the DUP.

Former Slieve Croob UUP councillor Alan Lewis and Mournes Independent councillor Henry Reilly confirmed the surprise news last week, with their switch increasing the DUP’s representation on the council to five.

Both Cllr Lewis and Cllr Reilly are former members of UKIP, while Cllr Reilly is also a former UUP and TUV member.

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said he was delighted to welcome both councillors to the party, while UUP leader Doug Beattie said he was disappointed at losing a “much valued councillor and friend”.

Sir Jeffrey said the decision by both men was a “positive sign” for the party in the Mournes and he was delighted to welcome them to the DUP.

“I have known Henry over many years and he has always been a dedicated representative, focused on delivering for the people of the Mournes, and dedicated to strengthening our place within the United Kingdom,” said the DUP leader.

“Since his election in 2019, Alan has also been a fearless and hardworking representative, focused on uniting and strengthening unionism within South Down.”

Mr Beattie said he was “disappointed” that Alan Lewis has decided to leave the Ulster Unionist Party, confirming that the process would begin to look

for a replacement to fight the Slieve Croob seat in the forthcoming council elections. In the meantime, the party leader wished his former colleague well.

Mr Lewis said the people he represented on the local council “want to see a greater unionist society”.

He said the election of the DUP’s Diane Forsythe in South Down had reinvigorated unionism within the constituency, insisting that she had already established herself as an energetic and positive representative

Mr Lewis added: “There were more than 12,500 unionist votes cast at the last Assembly election in South Down and I believe this can be further built upon through a strong DUP team which I am looking forward to being part of.”

Mr Reilly, who has represented the Mournes area for more than two decades, said he has worked closely with DUP councillors over the past few years, particularly Glyn Hanna.

“I was pleased to offer Diane [Forsythe] my endorsement as a candidate for the Assembly election in May and I have also welcomed the strong leadership offered by Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and the DUP on the Northern Ireland Protocol,” he said.

“I look forward to being part of that strong DUP team, not just in South Down, but across Northern Ireland.”

Mrs Forsythe said the DUP’s constituency team has been “highly motivated and growing”.

She continued: “Alan and Henry’s decision to join has been an amazing addition, strengthening our local unionist voice.

“Both are excellent local councillors who work hard on the ground for their constituents and are strong in standing up for their political beliefs, especially in a council where unionists are in the minority. We are stronger together.”

Mrs Forsythe said she wants to see a “stronger and more cohesive unionism, working to strengthen our place within the Union”.

She continued: “There is a unity of purpose within unionism in opposition to the Northern Ireland Protocol, and our party leader has proven he is working to do everything in his power to build upon that.

“To anyone who wants to build a better Northern Ireland, I issue a warm invitation to join Alan and Henry and many others across Northern Ireland who have joined us in building a more united unionism.”

Mrs Forsythe said it was “fantastic to be a part of this reinvigorated unionism”, adding that she was confident her party will deliver the “best for the constituency”.

She added: “The people I represent want to see greater unionist unity. I heard it throughout the Assembly election campaign and since. Unionists speaking together with a strong voice is what we need, not just in South Down, but across Northern Ireland.”

Tweets by @TheDownRecorder