Patrick Clarke (45), a law graduate from Drumaroad living in Castlewellan, has confirmed he will now run as an independent candidate at the forthcoming Westminster election for the constituency of South Down.
The former Newry Mourne and Down District Councillor also said that he would take ‘no salary’ to give the public new confidence in their elected representatives.
Patrick Clarke believes the electorate should have an Independent voice who will work without looking financial gain and who will actually take their seat at Westminster. He said: “There now needs to be an Independent voice for the most vulnerable people within South Down particularly those most badly affected following recent welfare reform changes within the social security benefits system.
“I will also if elected as MP to Westminster be an effective legislator and take ‘no salary’ due to the public anger of MLA’s still receiving a monthly salary despite Stormont not sitting.
“People know me as an extremely committed and capable person who will be dedicated to helping the most vulnerable in our society to ensure that I can actually make a tangible contribution in people’s daily and personal lives on the real local and regional issues that actually matter to voters of all ages and backgrounds living right across South Down who sincerely wish wish politics to change.
“Protecting the NHS including protecting and supporting the Downe Hospital in Downpatrick and Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry will be among my top priorities”
“I will be campaigning for both better mental health and front line health care services also at the Downe Hospital and Daisy Hill Hospital and will be lobbying for more resources and funding to address alcohol and drug addictions, mental health and wellbeing as part of part of his key health priorities.
“I am also concerned about the impact Brexit and the uncertainty it is generating especially on cross-border trade and the possibility of land borders between Newry and Dundalk near the constituency of South Down.”
Mr Clarke added: “There are serious implications with the free movement of goods, services and people currently enjoyed being in the EU following the UK leaving the EU and that more certainty, comfort and security is essential for the rural farming and agriculture industry.”
As a former Newry Mourne and Down District Councillor, Mr Clarke said he had been “a tireless worker often dedicating very long hours virtually seven days a week for over five years representing many people on a very wide range of both Council and other constituency matters outside the remit of the powers of Council.
“Irrespective of the gravity of any of the constituent problems which I was contacted about, I always tried to the very best of my personal ability to ensure I could do whatever was humanly possible within my political power to effectively and diligently represent all those people who really needed my help.
“Coming from a rural working class background I have always only been interested in the personal welfare of helping those other people less well off than me and do not subscribe to any of the other political party politics where they continually biting lumps out of each other.
“There needs to be more inward investment in the infrastructure of South Down particularly within areas such as the manufacturing industry which has one of the lowest percentage rates of foreign and direct inward investment partly due to the current lack of proper road infrastructure and largely because INVEST NI do not see South Down as a key strategic investment area.
“We already have one of the busiest ports in Ireland at Warrenpoint harbour which has already witnessed record volumes of trade increasing at the growing Warrenpoint Port.
“There are a multitude of major issues in South Down that really need a very strong, articulate and determined Independent voice speaking at Westminster. I want to be that strong voice as I firmly believe I can help make a real and positive lasting difference to improving the wellbeing and lives of many individual people living in South Down.
“I therefore seek a mandate from the voters of South Down in the upcoming election.
“ I hope with the much anticipated vision of Narrow Water Bridge being constructed between County Down and County Lough this would certainly also help attract further financial inward investment as well as other economic benefits to promote our growing tourism sector in South Down,” said Patrick Clarke.
