Our focus on this election is to promote the benefits of the United Kingdom and broaden the appeal of unionism

Our focus on this election is to promote the benefits of the United Kingdom and broaden the appeal of unionism

17 April 2024

SOUTH Down DUP MLA Diane Forsythe believes her party is ready to contest the next Westminster election.

Ms Forsythe says her party is united behind interim leader Gavin Robinson following the resignation Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, who has been charged with historic sex offences. 

In an exclusive interview, the 40 year-old spoke about growing up in Kilkeel, championing local values and rural issues, and her optimism for the future of South Down.

“I loved growing up in Kilkeel,” Ms Forsythe said. “I didn’t realise how much growing up in the town defined me until I was much older.

“I had a very happy childhood – we lived metres away from the beach and had the beautiful Mourne Mountains as our back.

“It’s a place which is embedded with Ulster-Scots roots and that have always been extremely important to me and my family and I feel it is a tradition that reflects my values.”

Proud of her home town, she attended Kilkeel Primary School and Kilkeel High School where, having not sat the transfer test, she excelled.

“I loved school. I scored very well in exams and assessments, but I think going to a secondary school allowed me to connect with different people and enjoy different dynamics.”

The daughter of well-known DUP councillor Glyn Hanna, Ms Forsythe said she always had an interest in politics growing up and felt that DUP values aligned with her own.

“When I was growing up I never thought of it as politics,” Ms Forsythe recalled. “I grew up in the 1980s in a border county, but we were acutely aware of what was going on in regards to the Troubles.

“My dad was a very active councillor and was a member of the Ulster Defence Regiment. I would always help out in his campaigns when I was younger.”

After her A-Levels Ms Forsythe studied Law at Queen’s University Belfast and then went on to become an accountant, working for a number of firms in the manufacturing industry.

While she didn’t intend on entering a career in politics, she felt that the DUP had a proven track record in addressing issues that were important to her and her community.

“A lot of the issues South Down face is focused on infrastructure and accessibility,” Ms Forsythe explained.

“Rural areas are left very vulnerable because they are cut off and isolated. For instance our roads are in dire need of repair. Areas in South Down are left in between two health trusts, the South Eastern Trust and the Southern Trust, but people are worried about accessing an ambulance.

“It can take just one pothole to stop an ambulance from reaching someone who is in desperate need of their services and that is something that is completely unacceptable.”

A turning-point came for Ms Forsythe in 2017 when she stood as the DUP candidate for South Down in the General Election, despite having had no previous election experience.

While she lost out to Sinn Féin’s Chris Hazzard, she polled very well, increasing the DUP’s share of the vote by 9.3% and accumulating 9,000 votes.

“I think a lot of people liked the idea of a young mother representing them,” Ms Forsythe said.

“A lot of the issues people were complaining about were things that I also had concerns about, so I felt I could best represent the entire community.”

The promising return of votes certainly did enough for her party to keep her in mind for future elections.

In 2021, Ms Forsythe quit the party briefly over allegations of bullying and sexism. At the time Ms Forsythe said she had faced “disrespectful attitudes and shameful sexism, ageism and the underlying tone of bullying”.

“The DUP is a party where I feel very comfortable and their track record on delivery is second to none.

“It was an honour to be elected in the 2022 Northern Ireland Assembly election,” Ms Forsythe continued.

“Elections are tough because every candidate starts with zero votes, but you spend the day with a horrible uncertainty.

“When the news came through that I was elected, I was very proud to represent the constituency that has given me so much.”

Since becoming an MLA, Ms Forsythe has focused on several key issues, most notably education and the fishing industry.

Today she will be in Downpatrick to welcome Education Minister and party colleague Paul Givan to the site of the new Down High School.

“I think the new school build will be brilliant for Downpatrick,” she said. “I know Paul is keen to see the building fully developed because Down High School has a great track record of delivering success.

“It’s very much in demand and it’s important that every pupil benefits from the new first class facilities.”

Ms Forsythe also recently welcomed Fisheries Minister Andrew Muir to Ardglass and Kilkeel. 

“I had a really productive conversation with the minister,” she said. “He seemed really enthusiastic about addressing issues around short-term working visas. He also said he was committed to future-proofing both 

harbours and that will come as a big reassurance for our fishermen and our fishing towns.”

While Ms Forsythe says she is optimistic about the future, recent events have been proven turbulent for the DUP.

However, she insists the party is very much behind Mr Robinson as the new interim leader and will field strong candidates in the coming general election.

“I think it is quite clear that we are all firmly supportive of Gavin,” Ms Forsythe explained. 

“Gavin is an extremely capable man, who has done so much for the people in Northern Ireland and I have every confidence in his leadership, as do all my colleagues.

“Our focus on this election is to promote the benefits of the United Kingdom and broadening the appeal of unionism.

“People like the security they have in the union, particularly with things like the economy and the NHS. There’s a lot of scope to make Northern Ireland thrive and work for everyone in that context.”

Ms Forsythe also said how there is untapped potential to promote culture and tourism in South Down.

“A lot of people feel that South Down gets left behind which is so frustrating because there is so much we can do in terms of tourism and infrastructure,” she said.

“The burial ground for Ireland’s patron saint is in Downpatrick and that is often understated. We have the beautiful Mourne Mountains, the Silent Valley and gorgeous parks and coastal routes in towns like Castlewellan and Newcastle.

“We are a huge constituency and that brings its opportunities and challenges. The people of South Down are my people and in my opinion they are the best people.

“They are extremely proud of their community and are so supportive of our sporting athletes, but they also just want their fair share.”

She added: “I have loved engaging with people since I was elected and I will always be grateful for people entrusting me to fight their corner in Stormont.”