{"id":24982,"date":"2022-01-28T16:19:00","date_gmt":"2022-01-28T21:19:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=24982"},"modified":"2022-01-31T09:22:55","modified_gmt":"2022-01-31T14:22:55","slug":"poots-fails-in-bid-to-switch-constituencies-before-assembly-elections","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=24982","title":{"rendered":"Poots Fails In Bid To Switch Constituencies Before Assembly Elections"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Mr Poots, a current Lagan Valley MLA, had tried to secure a seat in the South Down constituency (PA) <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Former DUP leader Edwin Poots has failed in a bid to switch constituencies in the forthcoming Northern Ireland Assembly elections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Poots, a current Lagan Valley MLA, had tried to secure a seat in the South Down constituency and was interviewed by party officers as part of the selection process on Friday evening, along with another candidate, Diane Forsythe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a statement following the interview process, a DUP spokesperson confirmed that Ms Forsythe would go forward as the party\u2019s preferred candidate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They said: \u201cThe Democratic Unionist Party this evening selected Diane Forsythe to stand as the candidate for the party in the South Down constituency in the forthcoming Assembly election in May.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe party is continuing with its selection processes and all selected candidates are subject to ratification by the Party Executive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ms Forsythe is a former Westminster election candidate for the DUP and the daughter of a party councilor, Glyn Hanna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Poots arrived at Dundela House, the DUP party headquarters in East Belfast, just before 6pm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Poots left shortly before 8pm without speaking to the media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The meeting at DUP headquarters was attended by a number of party representatives, including leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson and East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The decision not to select him as a candidate is the latest major blow to the political career of Mr Poots, who endured a brief and fractious spell as party leader last year following a coup against Arlene Foster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Poots was forced to quit last summer after only a matter of weeks as leader, when faced with a revolt from within his own party.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the Lagan Valley MLA remains as agriculture minister, the decision by DUP headquarters creates fresh questions about the direction of his political career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The party currently holds two seats in the Lagan Valley constituency, belonging to Mr Poots and Stormont First Minister Paul Givan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has signaled his intention to return to the Northern Ireland Assembly and is also expected to be a candidate in Lagan Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ms Foster was quick to send her congratulations to Ms Forsythe on Friday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The former party leader tweeted: \u201cSo delighted for and proud of this woman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNow for hard yards for which you are more than capable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The veteran current DUP MLA for South Down, Jim Wells, was not selected as a candidate for May\u2019s elections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a statement, the party paid tribute to Mr Wells for \u201chis long and distinguished service to both the party and the wider cause of Unionism over the last forty years\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Donaldson had an \u201camicable and constructive meeting\u201d with Mr Wells on Friday afternoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Donaldson said: \u201cI have known Jim Wells for well over 35 years and have always admired his commitment to the Unionist cause. Jim has served his constituents in South Down faithfully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe has given a lifetime of public service and I look forward to seeing him making a further contribution to the party in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DUP chairman Lord Morrow said: \u201cI want to pay tribute to Jim for his long and distinguished career in politics. I remember in the early days when Jim raised funds for the party and his enthusiasm for the Union inspired many around him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe was never a half measure man in anything that he put his hand to.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ahead of Friday evening, there had been concerns that the South Down contest between Mr Poots and Ms Forsythe could risk reopening divisions within the party from last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After Mr Poots was elected DUP leader last May, several members in the South Down constituency quit the party amid claims of a \u201cpurge\u201d against those opposed to his leadership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ms Forsythe, her father Mr Hanna, and another councilor, Kathryn Owen, were among those who left the party amid allegations of sexism and bullying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, Mr Poots\u2019 leadership was to last only three weeks before an internal party revolt forced him to quit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After Mr Donaldson replaced him as leader, Ms Forsythe, Mr Hanna and Ms Owen returned to the party.<\/p>\n

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