This past weekend saw the Annual DUP Party Conference held in La Mon Hotel near Ballygowan.
Dianne Forsythe, past DUP Westminster election candidate, said: “It was an excellent event where we as Party Members get together from across Northern Ireland in our numbers.
“Our South Down Association was well represented at the event from throughout the Mournes, Rathfriland, Moneyslane, Spa, Downpatrick and Crossgar.
“Everyone enjoyed hearing our party leaders and keynote speakers of the strong vision for the future of Northern Ireland. Myself and the Association were also very proud and privileged to welcome our Party Leader, Arlene Foster to the stage for her Leader’s Speech.
“I was honoured to be invited to speak at our DUP Annual Conference and delighted to be the one to formally invite Party Leader Arlene Foster to the stage. I took the opportunity to explain why I got involved in politics earlier this year. Having always been a strong Unionist and supporter of the Party, I took the step to join the DUP back in March, immediately after the Stormont Election.
“When I saw how close that Election result was, I saw the risk facing the future of our country, the risk to Northern Ireland’s position within the United Kingdom and the threat to our precious Union. I knew I needed to do something, so I took that step to get involved and I joined the DUP.
“I was inspired by Arlene Foster, our strong Leader of Unionism. I got involved straight away in planning how we could re-energise and motivate our Unionist family at this critical time.
“It is the responsibility of the grassroots members to work hard on the ground and deliver our message. The grassroots in South Down proved to be strong and our June Election result showed this.
“But we know that there is a lot more work to be done and we are working hard for the future of Unionism in South Down. We are proud to do this under the strong leadership we have in Arlene Foster. We as a party are committed to Standing Strong for Northern Ireland as we move forward together.”
