Belfast News: DUP On Election Footing

Northern Ireland's largest Unionist Party, has today launched its election campaign for the 2011 Northern Ireland Assembly and local government elections. Both elections fall on the 5th May, the same day chosen for a referendum on the UK Voting System.

The DUP which saw its leader loss his Westminster Seat in the 2010 General Election, has selected 44 candidates to stand in Assembly Elections, two less than they put forward at the last Assembly Elections.

Talking up the launch DUP Leader Peter Robinson MLA stated that 'The emergence of new candidates is reflective of the way in which the DUP is expanding to bring new people in to front-line representation'. However, speculation is increasing that the party's decision to replace Lord Wallace Browne as East Belfast MLA, has less to do with the party's commitment against double jobbing and more to do with tight vote within First Minister Peter Robinson's East Belfast Constituency. 

Lord Wallace Browne will be replaced on the East Belfast ballot paper by Sammy Douglas, a friend of leader Peter Robinson, but the question remains is Sammy Douglas a serious candidate or a face saving candidate, only the party's election material will tell?

Launching their campaign, the DUP has stated that their 'campaign will be positive', but given the scandalous unemployment figures, the ludicrous plastic bag tax, the massive loss of £6.5 million expected with the sale of Ormiston House, the NI Water Scandal and the DUP's insistence to put forward double-jobbing candidates, such as Sammy Wilson and Gregory Campbell, just how positive can their campaign be?

Last Updated: 28th February 2011