Local Government

By Gordon Lyons MLA, Director of Elections

That means we need to have excellent candidates selected, who are working on the ground and have a clear message to take to the electorate.

We have made progress in all of these areas.

A key priority for the Party Officers was the more timely selection of candidates. I am pleased that the vast majority of our election candidates were selected before Christmas, and were able to announce their candidatures before ratification by the Party Executive. This was especially important for first time candidates, giving them an opportunity to introduce themselves to their District Electoral Areas.

However it also gives time for incumbent councillors to set out their record of achievement during their term in council. We know that elections are not won simply by the work carried out in the weeks leading up to polling day, but as a result of work done over many years by our party representatives and members. Sitting councillors have already been using this time to highlight how they have delivered for their constituents and the DUP Election Team will continue to advise councillors and candidates on how they can best do this. Therefore, although the election campaign does not officially begin until 11 April, DUP candidates have already begun making the case for a vote for our party in May. Of course as well as having the right candidates, we need the right message. Our message is clear – we are a party that gets things done. We have kept the promises we made at the last election; ensuring the most effective use of ratepayers resources, delivering more jobs and investment through City Deals and delivering for everyone in our community. We will go to the electorate once more with a message of service and work for our local communities.

Let’s campaign as a team

The Local Government election uses Proportional

Representation. We must maximise our vote. We have analysed each DEA and to maximise the number of DUP Councillors elected, we will need people to work as a team. There is no point in complaining about bad decisions being taken in our Council chambers if we don’t work night and day and sacrificially to ensure we win as many seats as possible. The difference between a DUP seat in some areas and a nonunionist being elected will be one or two votes. Every vote makes a difference.

Countdown is on This election is an opportunity for unionism to demonstrate our support for Northern Ireland’s place in the United Kingdom and our opposition to any diminution of it. It is now less than seven weeks to the election. Let us ensure that we use every day to get our message across, and ensure we have a strong DUP team returned in every council in Northern Ireland and send the message that our place in UK must be protected.