Sinn Féin Westminster candidate Chris Hazzard MLA has attacked the SDLP over its record and said it has “failed to deliver for the people of South Down during the last 20 years at Westminster”. As the election is fast approaching on Thursday 7 May, the temperature has increased in the political oven of South Down.
Mr Hazzard said: “Sinn Féin operates a policy of active abstentionism in relation to Westminster and our MP’s work hard day and daily to represent our communities.
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Chris Hazzard (Sinn Féin) has attacked Margaret Ritchie on the run up to the Westminster election.[/caption]
“Our MP’s provide a first-class constituency service, working for people on the ground and lobbying in London on their behalf.
“They also meet with representatives of the political parties at Westminster, as well as trade unions and other groups, in support of our united Ireland agenda, against austerity and on the key political issues.
“By contrast, the SDLP have nothing to show for their attendance at Westminster. In South Down in particular, the community has been let down by an absent MP who has not advanced their interests.
“She has voted in less than 40 per cent of votes and was not able to prevent one single cut by the British government.
“In fact, Margaret Ritchie assisted the welfare cuts agenda when she was in the Assembly by attempting to rush through the welfare reform bill through accelerated package.
“The SDLP, whether supporting British soldiers in Afghanistan, or MP’s sleeping on the benches and missing votes, have nothing to offer voters here.
“The real work will be done after this election with a strong Sinn Féin team of MP’s, MLA’s, TDs and MEP’s challenging the next British government on the assault on the block grant and the welfare state and calling for the transfer of full fiscal powers to Ireland to grow our economy.”
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Margaret Ritchie (SDLP) has defended her record in South Down against Sinn Féin criticism.[/caption]
Election agent for Margaret Ritchie, Councillor Colin McGrath, responded vigorously and said: “These are wholly inaccurate and increasingly shrill comments from Mr Hazzard. They are designed to create a smokescreen around Sinn Fein’s ludicrous position in this election – ie that somehow they can ‘fight Tory cuts’ by staying AWAY from Westminster – the place where Northern Ireland’s budget is actually decided!
“As Sinn Fein have no credible position to present to the electorate, Mr Hazzard has simply indulged in the character assassination of his political opponents.
“For the record, and to correct a deliberate lie, it should be noted that the SDLP MP for South Down, Margaret Ritchie, has attended assiduously at Westminster and participated in all major votes affecting Northern Ireland. The Speaker of the House of Commons himself described her as “indefatigable”.
“Margaret Ritchie is recognised in South Down and by her constituents, the people she works for, as an extremely hard working MP who time after time has delivered for South Down. Anyone who knows Margaret knows she works a seven day week and her record and dedication to South Down is exemplary and cannot be questioned.
“The people of South Down will not be fooled by unfounded attacks on their MP”, added Cllr McGrath.
On Thursday 7 May at 7.30pm, the public will once again have an opportunity to pose questions to the panel of election candidates for South Down at the second hustings debate. It will no doubt be an energetic, exciting no-holds-barred discussion… and with one week to go to polling day, it may just make or break some candidates in their bid to set a good performance as a starter for the Assembly election in 2016.
Come along to the Newcastle Leisure Centre on Thursday 30 April – the debate begins at 7.30pm. The meeting will be chaired by Stephen Patton, editor of the Mourne Observer.
Jim Wells MLA will be in attendance. He fell victim to his own outburst at the public meeting in the St Patrick Centre in Downpatrick in relation to his comments on equal marriage and has subsequently resigned as Health Minister (effective from 11 May).
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