Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:-
“TUV is delighted to welcome Cllr Henry Reilly to TUV. Cllr Henry is both a proven, staunch traditional unionist and Eurosceptic. As such he fits exactly into the TUV profile. I welcome him as a considerable asset to the party.
Cllr Henry met with the local Mourne branch last week and together they are determined to build on this development. Local Chairman William Shields said,
“We look forward to building the party in South Down on the back of the considerable boost which Cllr Reilly’s move brings to us. We believe our time has come in South Down. Henry’s strong traditional unionist and anti-EU credentials matches exactly the DNA of TUV.”
TUV leader Jim Allister continued:
“It is not without significance that in the last European election between us we captured over 100,000 votes. With this substantial swathe of unionist opinion now represented under the TUV banner it gives us great momentum going forward to challenge the treachery in the week that the DUP is preparing to renew its vows with the IRA in government. After the panel report there is no wriggle room for the DUP. They are now the handmaidens in government of the IRA, that illegal organisation which controls the DUP’s partner, Sinn Fein. Going forward we will relentlessly expose and oppose the perfidy of those who have given us IRA rule.”
Cllr Reilly said:
“In joining TUV I know I am doing the right thing, because this is the only unionist party still standing unapologetically for the traditional unionist principles in which I believe. It is also a party wholly committed to re-establishing the national sovereignty of the UK by taking the essential step of leaving the EU. Thus, it is my natural home and I greatly appreciate the kinship and welcome which I feel in joining TUV. I look forward to playing my part in rebuilding the voice of traditional unionism in South Down, after all the disappointment of those who have toadied to the IRA/Sinn Fein agenda. I sense a reawakening of traditional unionism in this constituency in which I want to play a leading part.”