An Ulster Unionist Get together councillor and an impartial unionist in Co Down have each joined the DUP.
Party chief Sir Jeffrey Donaldson stated he was “delighted” to welcome Alan Lewis from the UUP and Mournes councillor Henry Reilly.
“They be a part of many different new members who at the moment are a part of a vibrant and rising celebration inside South Down and I pay tribute to Diane Forsythe MLA who has led that development,” Mr Donaldson stated.
"I've recognized Henry over a few years and he has all the time been a devoted consultant, centered on delivering for the folks of the Mournes, and devoted to strengthening our place inside the UK.
"Since his election in 2019 Alan has additionally been a fearless and hardworking consultant, centered on uniting and strengthening unionism inside South Down.
“I need to see a stronger and extra cohesive unionism, working to strengthen our place throughout the Union.
“There's a unity of function inside unionism in opposition to the Northern Eire Protocol, and as chief of the DUP I'll do the whole lot in my energy to construct upon that.
“To anybody who needs to construct a greater Northern Eire, I difficulty a heat invitation to hitch Alan and Henry and plenty of others throughout Northern Eire who've joined us in constructing a extra united unionism.”
The addition of the 2 males marks one other enhance within the celebration’s native fortunes in south Down.
In Might Diane Forsythe was elected for the DUP because the constituency’s first feminine unionist MLA.
"I used to be happy to supply Diane [Forsythe] my endorsement as a candidate for the meeting election in Might and I've additionally welcomed the sturdy management supplied by Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and the DUP on the Northern Eire Protocol," Mr Reilly stated.
"I stay up for being a part of that sturdy DUP workforce, not simply in South Down, however throughout Northern Eire."
Mr Reilly has beforehand been convicted of assaulting and resisting police however final 12 months had his convictions quashed.
He has beforehand been an Ulster Unionist and joined UKIP in 2007 earlier than being expelled by that celebration in 2015.
The Kilkeel politician then joined the TUV earlier than quitting that celebration only a 12 months later in 2016.
Mr Lewis, who was elected to the council in 2019, stated folks need to see “higher unionist unity”.
“There have been greater than 12,500 unionist votes forged on the final Meeting election in South Down and I imagine this may be additional constructed upon by way of a robust DUP workforce which I'm trying ahead to being a part of,” he added.