Government for people says MP

Government for people says MP

1 January 2013

SOUTH Down MP Margaret Ritchie wants local and central government to deliver for communities across the constituency in 2013.

In her New Year message, the MP said she was acutely aware that communities across South Down have suffered undue financial burdens due to the continuing economic recession.

Miss Ritchie said many people who had been used to employment, now found themselves out of work, but still have to provide for the well-being of their families.

“Communities have had to endure higher prices for food as well as essential commodities, including fuel for homes and cars. General transport costs and insurance have also increased,” she continued.

“Many high streets in towns and villages have empty shops where businesses have closed down, while others in our communities have become more vulnerable due to the welfare reform cuts.”

Miss Ritchie said local and central governments, including the Northern Ireland Executive, need to bear witness to this and stand with communities in the policies and programmes they implement.

She said the Executive needs to acknowledge the suffering endured by many and, above all, the opportunities that exist in communities. 

“The Executive, through government departments, must work in a strenuous and determined way with communities to deliver hope, opportunities and jobs for young people,” the MP declared.

“My hope for 2013 is that the Executive and the British government work much harder to ensure that we come out of this recession; that investment is placed in sustaining and creating new jobs and in infrastructure development including roads programmes.

“Tourism development must be given priority through the St. Patrick’s Country and Mournes signature projects and ministers must be empowered to enable the development of Downpatrick and Newcastle through the implementation of actions already identified for economic and environmental regeneration through the Downpatrick and East Coast Masterplans.”

The MP said there must be emphasis placed on investment in health and medical care through continuing and new provision of facilities and services, with the principle of local accessibility at the point of delivery being honoured.

Miss Ritchie said funding must be sourced by the Northern Ireland Executive to facilitate the provision of first class education provision through investment in existing and new schools estate as well as continuing programmes at all levels.

She added: “Ongoing emphasis must be given to underpinning the incomes of those involved in farming and fishing through a meaningful reform of the Common Agricultural Policy which facilitates a proper transitional arrangements for single farm payments and the regionalisation of our fishing industry. 

“Central and local government policies and actions must reflect that they have put delivery for the people of South Down at the top of their agenda in 2013. That is how I will measure their success in delivering for the people of this constituency.”