Alliance is first to select Assembly poll candidate

Alliance is first to select Assembly poll candidate

23 September 2015

ALLIANCE is the first party to nominate its South Down candidate for next year’s scheduled Assembly elections.

The party’s South Down Alliance Association has selected Rowallane councillor Patrick Brown who caused a major upset at last year’s local government elections when he secured a seat on Newry, Mourne and Down Council.

Councillor Brown was selected to contest the Assembly election last weekend during a party meeting in Newcastle.

In an address to delegates he outlined his proposals for his campaign strategy and is confident Alliance will significantly increase its Assembly vote. And councillor Brown didn’t rule out the possibility of the party winning its first ever South Down Assembly seat.

The Alliance candidate says he hopes to engage with the entire community at a grassroots level in the lead-up to the proposed election to demonstrate his commitment to a “positive future for Northern Irish politics.”

He added: “With the ongoing political crisis at Stormont, Northern Ireland faces increasing uncertainty and instability brought about by the selfish actions of the other executive parties.

“When the next election does take place it’s vital Alliance is prepared to run candidates who will work for everyone for the long-term benefit of Northern Ireland. I am proud to have been selected to represent Alliance and look forward to running a positive and progressive campaign.”