ARLENE Foster’s tenure at the head of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) could not have started off any better. The Assembly elections in 2016, just months after she became leader, saw the DUP return 38 seats – a repeat of the party’s best-ever haul in 2011. Mrs. Foster herself topped the vote in Fermanagh South Tyrone and the strong showing was an early validation of her leadership. Her support sent out a strong message as the DUP remained Stormont’s largest party, with Mrs. Foster becoming the first female First Minister. However, it was to be a relatively short lived success, with political storm clouds of a type forever familiar in Northern Ireland gathering on the horizon.
Scotland Renewables
Star Refrigeration’s pump system being installed at Queens Quay
Creating a demand for proven technology with strong policies and fair financial support will bring a just transition and a cleaner future in heating, writes Dave Pearson, Group Sustainable Development Director, Star Refrigeration. At a time when the world is becoming ever more committed to the fight against climate change, it is beyond disappointing to see technologies that could play a £20 million role in the fight massively under-utilised and marginalised. The example of the ambitious £20m Queens Quay development on the site of the old John Brown Shipyard makes this point. The water-source driven district heating network, which serves Queens’ Quay, draws on the ambient heat contained in the waters of the Clyde, and generates vastly less carbon emissions than would be the case if these buildings were heated through gas-generated heat: 80% less.
In her resignation statement, Arlene Foster spoke of the highs and lows of her tenure as DUP leader.
Dotted throughout the 903-word statement, Mrs Foster reflected on her time leading the party over the turbulent five-and-a-half years.
One of her standout moments was the party’s success in the 2016 Assembly election, when voters were asked to support “Arlene’s candidates”.
Her supporters turned out in their numbers and despite predictions of losing seats, the DUP held on to 38 MLAs.
Mrs Foster cited this achievement and the party’s best ever Westminster election result in 2017 as among her high points.
She said that while the focus is on her today, she recognised it would pass.
Arlene Foster s turbulent five years as DUP leader Arlene Foster first entered the political arena when she was student at Queen s University in Belfast when she joined the Queen s Unionist Association, part of the Ulster Unionist Party. Picture by Rebecca Black/PA Wire Marie Louise McConville 28 April, 2021 01:00
Alan Lewis - PhotopressBelfast.co.uk 24/11/2018.Mandatory Credit - Picture by Justin Kernoghan.DUP Leader Arlene Foster speaking at the 2018 Democratic Unionist Party annual conference in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Belfast today..
ARLENE Foster has endured a turbulent five years as DUP leader.
From the highs of being Stormont s first female first minister and her party holding the balance of power at Westminster, she also suffered the collapse of the institutions over the RHI scandal and betrayal by the British government through the imposition of an Irish Sea border.