SINN Fein will this weekend select Chris Hazzard as the party’s South Down candidate for next May’s Westminster election.
Party officials meet at the St. Patrick Centre in Downpatrick this Sunday evening to rubber-stamp the South Down MLA’s nomination.
The decision to select Mr. Hazzard has the backing of his fellow South Down MLA Caitriona Ruane who was Sinn Fein’s Westminster candidate at the 2010 and 2005 general elections.
Ms. Ruane was second to the SDLP’s Eddie McGrady in 2005 and came in behind the constituency’s sitting MP, Margaret Ritchie, four years ago.
Mr. Hazzard is the only candidate to have been nominated to date for this weekend’s selection event and although nominations close tomorrow night, no other Sinn Fein candidate is expected to come forward.
The South Down MLA has worked hard to raise his profile across the constituency since he replaced Willie Clarke at Stormont in 2012 and is viewed as one of the party’s rising stars. He was recently appointed to the Justice, Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committees at Stormont.
Mr. Hazzard has been a member of the Stormont Education Committee since September 2012 and was previously a member of the Public Accounts, Environment and Agriculture and Rural Development Committees.
The South Down MLA is also currently a member of the all-party groups dealing with mental health and learning disability issues.
Mr. Hazzard revealed he’s “delighted and honoured” to be nominated and said across the Island of Ireland, Sinn Féin on an upward trend, something he intends to continue at next year’s Westminster election.
He continued: “Across Ireland, Sinn Féin are offering an alternative to austerity and in South Down, if selected, I will continue to fight for those targeted by Tory cuts and fight for the people who will be most effected. Welfare cuts will effect all of our communities and I look forward to working for all the people of South Down.”
The MLA believes South Down offers “major potential” and aims to work with the business, farming and tourism sectors to increase prosperity and make the constituency an even better place to live. He also wants to see a thriving tourist hub, a place to work and a place to do business.
Sinn Fein delegates will be addressed on Sunday by the party’s Stormont Agriculture Minister, Michelle O’Neill, who is the guest speaker.