Ritchie selected as SDLP South Down Westminster candidate
SDLP South Down MP Margaret Ritchie has been selected by the SDLP to fight the upcoming Westminster election.
Margaret Ritchie has a wealth of political experience, both within the SDLP, South Down and the wider region of Northern Ireland as a former Minister for Social Development, MLA and local Councillor. Margaret was first elected as MP for South Down in 2010.
Margaret Ritchie said, “I am honoured and privileged to have been selected by my colleagues and friends in the SDLP in South Down to fight the Westminster election.
“I am pleased to have been given the opportunity by my colleagues, but was also delighted that the community of South Down elected me in May 2010 to represent their interests, requirements, needs and ambitions in Westminster.
“Lest anyone forgets, we in the SDLP will stand up for the rights of all within the community and will not allow those who wish to divide this community along sectarian lines to succeed. What I and my colleagues in the SDLP want is the ability to continue to put the needs of the people in South Down first.
“The SDLP firmly believes in working with communities and a wide spectrum of interests, both government departments, agencies and the community and voluntary sector. We want to continue to build economic prosperity, job creation and reconciliation for the benefit of all.
“Again, I am asking the people of South Down to provide me with their support on May 7th, through voting for the SDLP and myself, to help build upon the work I have done.
“I aim to improve the economic framework, to work with agencies and government departments to ensure that an extended range of health and medical services are provided in our hospitals, that the tourist infrastructure and our economy continues to grow built on our assets of patrician heritage and the Mournes.
“I will work hard so that our education and skills infrastructure in South Down is strengthened so that it delivers for all our young people.
She added, “I will endeavour to ensure that the farming and fishing industries are sustained and developed, and above all, that the mechanisms are explored to develop new job opportunities in the public and private sector.”
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