MP thanks voters for support in Portadown and Craigavon DEAs

Carla Lockhart MP • May 23, 2023

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has said the support given to DUP candidates in Portadown DEA and Craigavon DEA will be used by the Party to evidence community support for securing solutions to the problems posed by the Protocol. The DUP MP also said that the voters had endorsed a range of hard working candidates, committed to delivering for the communities they are elected to represent.

Carla Lockhart said:

 

“We have had a good day in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Council, with the party increasing our overall seats by 2. We will use our increased seat count to deliver more for our community, and to be an even stronger and more effective voice within the ABC Council Chamber. We thank everyone who voted DUP last Thursday.

 

In Portadown DEA, our first class DUP candidates – Lavelle McIlwrath, Kyle Moutray and Alan Mulholland – delivered an outstanding result. Our first preference vote figure has increased by around 10 per cent on our 2019 figure. This is a reflection on our excellent candidates. Both Lavelle and Kyle have been first rate representatives, with a strong track record of delivery. It is fantastic to welcome our newly elected Councillor Alan Mulholland to the DUP team, who I know Alan will be a very effective addition to this very strong DUP team in Portadown.

 

Across in Craigavon, it came as no surprise to see such a huge vote for my colleague Margaret Tinsley. Margaret is a tireless and very passionate advocate for her constituents, who delivers so much for the people of Craigavon. I am delighted that this has been recognised. It is deeply regrettable that her running mate, Ian Patterson, was unsuccessful despite a very encouraging first preference vote. I trust that Ian will be back again in the future as he has a great heart for this community and has a lot to offer.

 

The DUP will be straight back to work now that the election is over, and we have a range of issues picked up during our canvassing of the area that will be actioned. We are here to deliver on the ground, improving lives and improving communities, and we will continue to work hard for you.

 

We will also seek to progress outstanding issues with the Protocol, to restore cross community consent that can enable us to re-enter the devolved institutions. The Government, despite doing their best to decimate the DUP vote, must now recognise that Unionism stands with the DUP and their response will be key to restoring Stormont. They can act now, or they can continue to dither and delay. They should step up now with solutions.”

Share

By Carla Lockhart MP June 17, 2026
DUP Agriculture Spokesperson Carla Lockhart MP has written to newly appointed DEFRA Minister Stephen Morgan MP requesting an urgent meeting.
By Carla Lockhart MP June 17, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has praised the enthusiasm and political engagement of students from Banbridge Academy following a recent visit by the school’s Politics class to Westminster.
By Carla Lockhart MP June 17, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has congratulated a number of local people recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List, praising their outstanding contributions to community life, healthcare, agriculture, business and support for young people.
By Carla Lockhart MP June 17, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has paid tribute to the family of Blake McCaughey following a special 18-mile walk around Craigavon Lakes held in his memory.
By Carla Lockhart MP June 17, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has paid tribute to local volunteers and community champions who work tirelessly to enhance Waringstown and foster pride in the village.
By Carla Lockhart MP June 16, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has praised the strength of community spirit across the constituency after attending two community events on Saturday, including Banbridge Rangers Football Club’s Big Breakfast and a fundraising coffee morning in support of a local family affected by Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
By Carla Lockhart MP June 5, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has repeated calls for greater scrutiny of the publicly-funded body Shared Environmental Services (SES) based at County Hall in Ballymena.
By Carla Lockhart MP June 4, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has led a delegation to Westminster to press for the inclusion of Metachromatic Leukodystrophy (MLD) in the UK newborn heel-prick screening programme, following the commitment secured from the Prime Minister during Prime Minister’s Questions earlier this month.
By Carla Lockhart MP June 2, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has paid tribute to the ABC Council Blitz Team after witnessing first-hand the positive impact their work is having across local communities.
By Carla Lockhart MP June 2, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has welcomed the commencement of long-awaited improvement works by the Department for Infrastructure in the Mourneview area of Craigavon, particularly in and around the Spelga Park area.