Independent Clarke charity salary pledge

Independent Clarke charity salary pledge

13 April 2022

A SOUTH Down candidate in the Assembly election has promised to donate his salary to charity if elected.

Patrick Clarke, who is from the Castlewellan area, is standing as an independent candidate on May 5.

He contested both the 2011 and 2014 local government elections and the previous 2017 Assembly election. 

Mr Clarke made a firm public commitment to voters that if elected, he will donate his salary to Saint Vincent de Paul. 

“People know me as an extremely committed person and capable politician who will be totally committed and dedicated to helping the most vulnerable in our society to ensure that I can actually make a tangible contribution in people’s daily and personal lives on the real local and regional issues that actually matter to voters,” he said.

“By being an independent candidate at the Assembly election, I want to represent those who have no Independent voice as there are many people of all ages and backgrounds living right across South Down who wish politics to change.”

He said there were many disillusioned voters across South Down and other constituencies who wanted change “from the old tribal rhetoric by certain political parties”.  

He strongly believes there needs to be an independent voice for the most vulnerable people within South Down, particularly those most badly affected following welfare reform cutbacks within the social security benefits system. 

He has also vowed if elected as an MLA to Stormont to be an effective legislator. 

He highlighted the need for inward investment in South Down, particularly in manufacturing and the need for proper road infrastructure as claimed “Invest NI do not see South Down as a key strategic investment area.”

He continued: “As a former Newry Mourne and Down District councillor, I had been a tireless worker often dedicating very long hours virtually seven days a week for over five years representing many people on a very wide range of both council and other constituency matters outside the remit of the powers of council.

“Irrespective of the gravity of any of the constituent problems which I was contacted about, I always tried to the very best of my personal ability to ensure I could do whatever was humanly possible within my political power to effectively and diligently represent all those people who really needed my help.”