Alliance Party announces Council candidates for May 2023 elections
The Alliance Party has announced its candidates for the upcoming local elections in May 2023.
At a recent selection meeting in Newcastle attended by local party members, the party selected eight candidates and, following a surge in the 2022 Stormont elections, is hopeful of significantly growing their representation locally.
Alliance currently have three Newry Mourne and Down Councillors; Andy McMurray (Slieve Croob), Cadogan Enright (Downpatrick) and David Lee-Surginor (Rowallane), all of whom are running for re-election in their respective District Electoral Areas. (DEAs).
They will be joined by candidates for Newry, The Mournes, Crotlieve, Slieve Gullion and the party is targeting a second seat in Rowallane.
Downpatrick Councillor Cadogan Enright, who joined Alliance in July this year, said: “I am delighted to have been selected by the party to run in the election next May.
“In my 17 years as a Councillor I have worked cross-party to deliver important environmental projects.
“These have included creating Council’s Biodiversity officer, energy efficiency officer, protecting rights-of-way, a programme of installing PV’s on Council premises, bye-laws to protect wildlife and a bi-annual grant program for projects to protect threatened habitats.
“As a full-time Councillor and qualified accountant, having worked as an IT specialist, I work tirelessly for local people and keep pushing to ensure they are getting the best out of their Council.”
Rowallane Councillor David Lee-Surginor said: “I have been proud to represent the Rowallane community since replacing Patrick Brown MLA on council, and I want to continue that work.
“This will include pushing for the development of the Ballynahinch Lough Park, working with the Saintfield Community Association to assist with the amazing development of the Windmill Park, advocating for Changing Places Toilets throughout the district and ensuring our council is more transparent.”
Tierna Kelly, who will be running to secure a second seat for the party in the Rowallane DEA, graduated from Queen’s university in 2022 in Politics, Philosophy and Economics and is the party’s youngest candidate locally at 22.
She said: “I am a keen sportsperson, having played ladies’ football for Killyleagh, Ballynahinch and Kilmore Rec.
“Sports clubs are integral parts of our local communities and I want to ensure greater community and sports’ facilities for our towns and villages.
“I will also be campaigning for greater transparency from the Council, more integrated schools and better local infrastructure, including ensuring NI Water upgrades the sewage works around Killyleagh and stops pollutants entering the water.”
The Alliance Party’s election organiser for the local government campaign for Newry Mourne and Down, Patrick Brown MLA, said: “I am very proud of the hugely talented candidates we are putting forward for the Council election in 2023.
“We have a diverse, youthful team with a wealth of real world experience who are also deeply embedded into the communities.
“For years, each of them have been working to improve local amenities, campaigning for better environmental protections, speaking up on local issues and challenging the lack of transparency within our Council.
