Edwin Poots to attempt constituency switch for Stormont election
Mr Poots will be interviewed by party officers as part of the selection process on Friday evening, along with another candidate, Diane Forsythe.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Former DUP leader Edwin Poots will try to switch constituencies in the forthcoming Northern Ireland Assembly elections.
A party source has confirmed that Mr Poots, a current Lagan Valley MLA, will instead try to secure a seat in the South Down constituency.
Mr Poots, Stormont’s Agriculture Minister, will be interviewed by party officers as part of the selection process on Friday evening, along with another candidate, Diane Forsythe.
Ms Forsythe is a former Westminster election candidate for the DUP and the daughter of a party councillor, Glyn Hanna
Mr Poots’ attempt to move constituencies comes ahead of a potential electorate headache for the DUP. Three of its most high profile party figures had been expected to stand in Lagan Valley.
The party currently holds two seats in the constituency, belonging to Mr Poots and Stormont First Minister Paul Givan.
DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has signalled his intention to return to the Northern Ireland Assembly and is also expected to be a candidate in Lagan Valley.
A party source said the veteran current DUP MLA for South Down, Jim Wells, has not been selected as a candidate for May’s elections.
The South Down contest between Mr Poots and Ms Forsythe could risk reopening divisions within the party from last year.
After Mr Poots was elected DUP leader last May, several members in the South Down constituency quit the party amid claims of a “purge” against those opposed to his leadership.
Ms Forsythe, her father Mr Hanna, and another councillor, Kathryn Owen, were among those who left the party amid allegations of sexism and bullying.
However, Mr Poots’ leadership was to last only three weeks before an internal party revolt forced him to quit.
After Sir Jeffrey Donaldson replaced him as leader, Ms Forsythe, Mr Hanna and Ms Owen returned to the party.