‘Down to business immediately’ for DUP

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP pictured in his office in Lisburn. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

Lagan Valley MP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson’s appointment as leader of the DUP was ratified by the Party’s electoral college last Saturday (June 26) and now he has said it is time to get “down to business”.

After being finally ratified by the Party Executive on Wednesday evening (June 30), Sir Jeffrey took over the reigns from outgoing leader and Lagan Valley MLA Edwin Poots, who was forced to resign after just a few weeks in the job.

Looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead, Sir Jeffrey said: “I am absolutely delighted to get such resounding support at the meeting of the elected representatives of the DUP last Saturday and I think this places us in a much stronger position now to unite the party and prepare for the forthcoming Assembly elections.

“I am looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead.

“As we emerge from the pandemic Northern Ireland needs a period of political stability and the priority has to be resolving the issues of the NI Protocol and ensuring that the barriers to trade around Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK are removed.

“There is the need to support businesses as we emerge from the pandemic and the economy begins to recover.

“The big priorities are dealing with the waiting lists in the health service and supporting schools through what has been a very difficult period through the transfer process. We need to support parents and children who are facing real difficulties in relation to that process.”

Sir Jeffrey added: “It will be down to business immediately but I will be continuing in my role as MP and working closely with tre MLA team to make sure issues are properly addressed and we deliver stability for Northern Ireland.”