The SDLP has selected Colin McGrath MLA as its candidate for South Down in July’s Westminster election.
Mr McGrath is the SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson and has represented communities in South Down for 19 years as a councillor and MLA. He is a qualified youth worker and has supported young people from all communities to reach their fullest potential.
Colin McGrath said:
“For me this election is about two big missions – fighting for South Down and fighting against the Tory government that has attacked public services, public sector workers, and hard pressed households for 14 years.
“South Down has had seven years where our voice and our vote hasn’t counted at Westminster. So while the Tory government has been crushing our communities with austerity, demeaning victims and survivors with the shameful legacy act and sending weapons to destroy communities in Gaza, people in South Down haven’t been able to register our opposition. After seven years of silence, we now have six weeks to find our voice again.
“I know the people of South Down. I have lived here all my life, I have worked to support generations of young people to reach their potential and I have had the honour of being an elected representative for 19 years. If people in our communities back me to be our new MP, my first action will be to vote against the Tory government in their name.
“We have so much potential – this is one of the most outstandingly beautiful and environmentally rich parts of our island and we can deliver so much more for the people who live here. I feel privileged to be the SDLP’s candidate and I would be honoured to be South Down’s MP.”
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood said:
“In this constituency, the stakes couldn’t be higher. We know just how important the decisions made at Westminster are for people, public services, and local communities. The people of South Down know they have been left without a say for too long. Colin is an outstanding candidate who will give people their voice back.
“We now have a huge opportunity to get rid of this Tory government. Colin will cast the vote of the people of South Down for a new kind of government, more investment in public services and a better deal for people in every community.”
ENDS
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