Trainor To Step Down At May Local Council Election
SDLP Downpatrick Councillor John Trainor has announced that he will not be contesting the forthcoming council election in May 2023.
Cllr Trainor, who has been a member of the council since 2016 and will remain a valued member of the SDLP, is standing down to focus on health challenges.
Cllr John Trainor said: “It has been an immense honour to represent the people of Downpatrick with my SDLP colleagues since 2016.
“This has been a period of immense change in politics and I am deeply proud of the representation I have been able to provide to people in the town for the last seven years.
“Following discussions with family, friends and my SDLP colleagues, I have taken the decision to stand down at the forthcoming election to focus on my own health.
“This has not been an easy decision but it is, I believe, the right one for me at this time.
“While I may be standing down from the council, I’ll always stand up for the people of Downpatrick and will continue to champion their needs as a member of the SDLP.
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP paid tribute to Cllr Trainor and said: “For the last seven years, John has been an important part of our team in Downpatrick and South Down.
“He is an empathetic public representative who genuinely cares about people and has worked tirelessly on their behalf.
“I know that John will continue to be a vocal member of our party, taking a stand for Downpatrick and the people who live there.
“This will, of course, be a difficult time for him, but he remains a part of our SDLP family and we will always be here for him.”
South Down MLA Colin McGrath said: “It’s been a privilege to work with John since he joined the council in 2016 and after he went on to hold the seat in 2019.
“John has always put our community first but it’s important that he takes the time to put his own health first and we’ll support him through that period.”
An SDLP Spokesperson added: “We thank John for his dedicated service to the SDLP and Downpatrick over the past seven years.
“The party will announce its candidates for Newry Mourne and Down in due course.”
