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New Party Leader to be elected on Friday

Party Chairman Lord Morrow confirmed on Thursday the candidates who have been nominated to stand in the election for Party Leader and Deputy Leader which will take place on Friday 14th May. The result is expected at approximately 5pm.

The candidates are:

Party Leader:
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP
Edwin Poots MLA

Deputy Leader
Paula Bradley MLA
Gregory Campbell MP
Paul Frew MLA

Earlier in the week Deputy Leader Lord Dodds confirmed that he would be stepping back from his role. He said,

”Following my appointment to the House of Lords I decided that I would be stepping back from my party role whenever the next election cycle occurred.

However, I will continue to use my position in Parliament to advance the cause of the Union and to articulate the views of unionists on the future direction of the United Kingdom and on issues affecting Northern Ireland more generally.”

The Party celebrated Northern Ireland’s centenary this week, marking 100 years since Northern Ireland’s creation.

You can watch the contribution of DUP MLAs to a ‘matter of the day’ debate in the Assembly marking the Centenary here.

Also this week

First Minister and Party Leader Arlene Foster recieved her Centenary Rose from the Secretary of State Brandon Lewis.

Economy Minister Diane Dodds launched the first of up to 7 new Assured Skills Collaborative Welding Academies at South West College.
- Opened a new £15million Banbridge campus for Southern Regional College.
- Launched a new Invest NI scheme to support businesses investigate and implement new digital technologies.
- Welcomed 61 business projects sharing £3.3m in innovation funding.

Environment Minister Edwin Poots announced the opening of a £2million environment funding boost.
- Announced £75million investment in CAFRE campuses.
- Visited projects in Mid & East Antrim which benefitted from £4.6m rural development funding.
- Announced investment of £1m into a new recycling facility.
- Published a report into the fishing and seafood sector.
- Urged people to be respectful of our local waterways and be aware of the devastating impact of pollution.

East Belfast MLA Robin Newton expressed concern at the level of domestic abuse cases.

East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson said the collapse of a trial against two army veterans raised questions as to how the case managed to reach the point of a court case.
- Rejected government proposals for an amnesty and said the law must apply equally to everyone.

South Antrim MLA Pam Cameron said the identirication of the Indian Covid variant in Northern Ireland highlighted the refusal by the Republic to share passenger locator forms with the NI Executive.

North Antrim MLA Mervyn Storey said the Chief Constable and the PSNI need to act to restore unionist confidence.
- Welcomed the announcement of development plans for the old Agivey plant on the Bann Rd in Ballymoney.

East Belfast MLA Joanne Bunting expressed concern about the lack of reporting and scrutiny into the activities and influence of the Provisional IRA