From Easter to the Election

Good morning John

I hope, like me, you were able to celebrate Easter with your family and friends

“He is not here for He is risen” tells a story where death is defeated, and Christ is victorious. All seemed lost but then on the third day, those early believers were able to witness the resurrecting power the Saviour.

He death and resurrection bring life and hope to all.

It’s good to be able to take a short break for Easter from the canvassing. I’m sure like me you have been knocking doors across the country reminding people about our Five Point Plan for Northern Ireland and that this election will set the direction of the country for the next decade.

This election is the most important for a generation.

Voters have a clear choice between our plan for fixing health, helping working families with the cost of living crisis, and growing our economy within the Union, and Sinn Féin’s divisive border poll plan. The election outcome will decide if Northern Ireland goes in the right direction or the wrong direction.

Over the last week, I have been focusing on constituencies where unionism is only chasing one seat. I have been reminding the people in those areas, that voting for parties that can’t win will risk the seat. Despite what some people say, you can split the vote too thinly in a PR election.

I am also reminding them that this is a battle for Northern Ireland. The DUP is the only party that can stop Sinn Fein’s divisive border poll plans. A first preference vote for any party other than the DUP will divide and weaken the unionist cause and help Sinn Fein win and deliver on their border poll plan.

Make no mistake, if Sinn Fein win this election, their plan for a divisive border poll will be advanced

If Mary Lou McDonald and Michelle O’Neill win, the whooping and cheering count centre speeches will NOT be about the National Health Service.

They will NOT be about advancing 30 hours free childcare for families.

They will NOT be about removing the Irish Sea border.

They WILL be about a divisive border poll.

The DUP has a Five Point Plan for Northern Ireland which is focused on the issues that matter to everyone but Sinn Fein’s ONLY plan for Northern Ireland is a divisive border poll.

Just look at last week. Sinn Fein even had Gerry Adams on the streets selling border poll funding easter eggs. Everything that Sinn Fein does is about a divisive border poll.

Last month whilst the DUP marked St Patrick’s Day in the USA by drumming up investment and supporting jobs in Northern Ireland, Sinn Fein was taking out Border Poll advertisements in the New York Times and Washington Post.

When most people get up in the morning or go to bed each evening, they are not craving for a border poll, they are focused on the issues that matter to them. Their household bills, rising energy costs, childcare costs, their loved one on a waiting list or their child struggling to get a GP appointment.

For all those people, I need you to spend the next 17 days knocking doors and reminding your friends and family on Facebook and Instagram of what is at stake in this election.

On election day, I need everyone to support their local DUP candidates, and then transfer to other Pro-Union candidates, so we can deliver on our plan for health, jobs and to help working families rather than fight about a Sinn Fein border poll plan.

Best wishes,