Former DUP Assemblyman Jim Wells has welcomed further support for TUV candidate Harold McKee who is standing for South Down in this week’s Assembly election.
“I along with all of the officers of the South Down DUP Association resigned from the Party in April as we could not support Diane Forsythe, the candidate who had been imposed upon us by the Party leadership. I am pleased to report that there have been further resignations and many more former DUP members have pledged their support to Harold McKee. The Association is now effectively dissolved as so many members have followed the lead given to them by the officers.
“Prominent amongst these is George McConnell from Kilkeel who was a former DUP member and activist for many decades but who is now pledging his support to the TUV. George is well known in the Mourne area for his support of church missionary work and book distribution. The fact that someone of the standing of George has publicly stated that he is now supporting Harold McKee confirms how opposed long serving DUP members and supporters are to the imposition of a candidate without their support or consent”.
Commenting upon his decision to back Harold McKee, Mr McConnell said –
“Over the last few years I have been increasingly concerned about the overall direction of the Party. Whist I continued to vote for our long serving MLA Jim Wells my support for the DUP ended totally when Diane Forsythe was foisted upon South Down with no consultation whatsoever with the local members.
“I admire Harold Mckee’s public stand on the moral issues that are so important to me and my family and his previous experience at as MLA at Stormont and currently as a member of Newry, Mourne and Down Council makes him the ideal choice for those who are so concerned about the situation they now face on 5th May”.
TUV candidate Harold McKee said –
“I am very pleased that George has publicly supported me for Thursday’s election. It is so reassuring that someone of his standing in the Mourne community has decided to end his links with the DUP and vote for me on Thursday. I can assure him and the many others who share his views on the protection of the life of the unborn child and the traditional view of marriage that I will take my stand against the erosion of these values if I am elected to Stormont on Thursday”.