McGrath among SDLP three for Assembly poll

McGrath among SDLP three for Assembly poll

21 October 2015

DOWNPATRICK SDLP politician Colin McGrath believes the three South Down candidates the party has chosen to contest next May’s Stormont election “offer a fresh perspective” to Assembly politics in the constituency.

Mr McGrath’s nomination, alongside that of sitting MLA Sean Rogers and Sinead Challinor-Bradley, was confirmed at selection convention held in Newcastle last weekend.

Mr Rogers pipped Mr McGrath in the race to be co-opted to replace MP Margaret Ritchie at Stormont three years ago. 

But now the Downpatrick councillor will be fighting alongside Mr Rogers and Mrs Challinor-Bradley to retain the party’s two South Down seats. Mrs Challinor-Bradley is the daughter of former MLA P. J. Bradley.

Mr McGrath — who is the SDLP’s party leader on Newry, Mourne and Down Council — said he was delighted to secure the nomination. He said together with his party colleagues the trio will be offering a fresh perspective to Assembly politics in South Down.

“We will work as a solid team with our MP and our councillors’ group to challenge the important issues facing people in South Down, including health, education, jobs and the economy,” he declared.

“We will work tirelessly for people and their issues. We will be approachable and work with community groups and associations to deliver funding and results that improves the lives of local people. We will be at the heart of our communities, working for them and the matters that are important to them.”

Mr McGrath said the three candidates live and work in South Down and know and share the issues people face. He said intends to work on the retention and securing of services at the Downe Hospital, resolving the traffic issues in Downpatrick and Ballynahinch and the development of sporting and community organisations in the wider Down area. 

He continued: “Matters such as the development of Kindle Primary School in Ballykinler and supporting local farmers and the agriculture industry and the fishing industry at Ardglass are crucial matters for me too. I have a track record of working hard in my area and want to gain the support of people so I can operate on a wider basis.”

Mr McGrath admitted the forthcoming Assembly election will be difficult “because to many people the Assembly and Stormont are a failure” due to what he described as “stop/go politics, in-out Ministers, huff and puff leadership.”

He added: “I want to see something different; an Assembly that works for people and communities and delivers the decisions that people need to make their lives and those of their children better.

I look forward to the challenges in the months ahead and to the support of local people in my quest and that of the South Down SDLP team.”