Donaldson re-selected by DUP

At a recent party selection meeting, Mr Donaldson was unanimously selected to run in May’s general election.

“I count it a great honour to once again have been unanimously selected by my Constituency Association to stand as their candidate in the General Election next year,” said Mr Donaldson.

“I have been the MP for Lagan Valley now for almost eighteen years and during that time I have seen Northern Ireland transformed from a place renowned for violence and instability to a place that has gained a much more positive reputation across the world.

“Whilst things are far from perfect and we have ongoing challenges that we need to face, this transformation has meant that we have a generation now growing up in a Northern Ireland where there are new opportunities and a way of life relatively free from violence. However, there is no room for complacency and I am passionately committed to building a better future for our children.

“Above all, it remains my priority to continue serving the needs of the people that live in Lagan Valley. Each and every day I am engaged in dealing with the local issues that matter to the people that I represent.

“Our local economy has taken a knock in recent years but gradually the number of people who are unemployed is decreasing as we attract new jobs into the area. We are also developing a strategy for the regeneration of our city and town centres as well as the expansion of the retail park at Sprucefield. I am confident that this new initiative will finally see John Lewis come to Northern Ireland to establish their first store at Sprucefield.

“There are also exciting opportunities on the horizon for major development at Blaris which could see massive investment in our local economy, together with the enormous potential that exists at Balmoral Park on the Maze site.

“I also look forward to the major investment that is planned in local healthcare and will see the upgrade of services at the Lagan Valley hospital and the provision of a new and fully integrated health centre in Lisburn.

“Much has been achieved but there remains a lot still to do and whilst I am happy to stand on my record as a hard-working MP, I will never take the people of Lagan Valley for granted and will fight a strong campaign to once again win the backing of the local community in the forthcoming election.”