SDLP leader Colum Eastwood MLA unveiled his new team of party spokespeople at an event in Belfast at Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiach.
The spokespeople will shadow the nine new NI Executive Departments which are set to be in place in the next Assembly mandate. The party is the first to do so and the team will include MLA’s and councillors from across the North.
South Down MLA Séan Rogers has been named the SDLP’s new Spokesperson for Agriculture, the Environment and Rural Affairs, while SDLP South Down Assembly Candidates Cllr Colin McGrath and Sinead Bradley will be supporting as the Health and Education Spokespeople respectively.
New SDLP Spokesperson for Agriculture, the Environment and Rural Affairs, Séan Rogers MLA said: “In the face of unsustainable dairy prices, with the threat to farming subsidies from the EU referendum and with annual flooding that devastates people from Clady to my home town of Kilkeel, now more than ever do rural communities need a party that will always work in their interest.
“I am honored to be part of this new team. The SDLP is going to deliver a new and positive alternative for people across Northern Ireland. South Down SDLP representatives have a strong track record of delivering for our community and we are committed to delivering new politics for people.”
Cllr Colin McGrath said: “The people of South Down are facing a real threat of their healthcare provision being eroded. Rural communities are being put at greater risk from increasingly stretched ambulance patrols and the reduction of vital services from local clinics and hospitals. In my support of the SDLP Health spokesperson I will be a strong voice for the retention of services at the Downe Hospital in Downpatrick and and the Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry.”
Sinead Bradley said: “We cannot expect our young people to have a bright and secure future when year after year the budget continues to cut options from them and decisions are taken that directly disadvantage their long-term career prospects. This month we have seen the loss of the Youth Council and we have had a decade of indecisiveness over post primary selection.
“We even have an Education Minister who tells young people to not expect a job if they want to teach in Northern Ireland. The SDLP know that our economy will rise or fall with the prospects of our young people and that investing in them is investing in our future prosperity.”
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MLA added: “In the coming NI Assembly election, voters will be asked to judge parties on the last nine years. Historic handshakes aren’t delivering opportunities for young people, investment in our roads and skills or a better economy.
“If people believe, as we do, that what has gone on in the last nine years is not good enough, we ask them to support the SDLP in May and deliver the change in government that Northern Ireland needs.”
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New appointees include South Belfast MLA Claire Hanna (Department of Finance), former Belfast Lord Mayor Nichola Mallon (Department for Communities), West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan (Department for Infrastructure). Mid-Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone MLA is spokesperson for the Department of the Economy and Fearghal McKinney (South Belfast) continues as spokesperson for the Department of Health. Larger portfolios will see new teams where spokespeople are supported by Assembly members.
