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Politics is about People... It is hard to believe there is just over one week left until Election Day. At the outset of my campaign in Foyle I made it a priority of mine to talk to as many people, on as many doorsteps, as I possibly could. To listen to their concerns, share in their hopes and understand their fears. If politics is about anything, it is about people – always about people. The campaign trail has been amazing, more fun than but tougher than I ever could have imagined. I have been adopted by at least 15 new ‘grannies’, faced the extremely surreal situation where I was chased in Newbuildings because the person thought the Young Unionists and I were ‘Paisley’s Party’, only to be welcomed with open arms when he figured out we weren’t and seen my face on at least 200 different lampposts! One particular question I have been asked on many occasions is why I, as a young person, have become involved in politics. The short answer is service. But that would undervalue the importance of my decision. I come from a generation whose lives were not touched, in the same way as others were, by the pain, sadness and heartache caused by thirty years of bombs and bullets. I was 12 when canary wharf was ripped apart, 11 when the Shankill bomb exploded and 12 when 6 men were killed in Loughlinisland. I am not defined by the troubles, but I am shaped by them. Our generation has a lot to be thankful for but a lot to do. We inherited a divided society with an imperfect peace but our legacy can be a united society with a perfect peace. I believe that the Ulster Unionist Party and our enduring values of fairness, tolerance, respect, opportunity and partnership can best deliver my generation’s legacy. That is why I am fighting this election. I am a unionist by heritage, by instinct and by conviction. Northern Ireland and all its people, regardless of class, gender, religion or ethnic origin are best served by the maintenance of the union and the benefits, both social and economic, which come from it. Last November, the Chancellor Gordon Brown, put it better than I ever could when in a speech he made in defense of the Union he said, “I have experienced anew the rich diversity of the United Kingdom which makes this country strong. People intensely proud of their community, their region, their nation. But also a common bond that our proud nations and regions are stronger together in the United Kingdom. Proud of the greater nation we have built together over the last three hundred years. The UK is the greatest example in the world of the saying we are stronger together and weaker apart. A United Kingdom, which stood together to defeat fascism in the Second World War. A United Kingdom, which together built a National Health Service – founded by a Welshman Nye Bevan, in a Government led by a Londoner, Clem Attlee and which now provides health care free at the point of delivery in every corner or the land. Most of all a United Kingdom founded on shared values, a belief in liberty and civic duty, and an Internationalism and a shared citizenship founded on these values of treating people fairly.” The UK has a rich past, but I believe that the values which shape us allow us to face an ever changing world and with confidence say that our best days are ahead of us.” On Friday, I was privileged enough to be joined by Sir Reg on the campaign trail as he came to Lononderry on Friday to launch the party’s manifesto for the west and on Saturday I was joined by an army of young unionists in Newbuildings for a massive canvass, which also took in Derry’s Walls and the Ireland v England game. Despite the election, life must go on, as my fiancée keeps telling me but it is hard. However, it will all be worth it if the UUP wins a seat in Foyle. Before I sign off let me leave you with a few words from one of my favorite songs – “won't get fooled again” by the Who, which I feel best describes the attitude on the street towards the DUP: they don’t want fooled again!! “I’ll tip my hat to the new constitution Take a bow for the new revolution Smile and grin at the change all around Pick up my guitar and play, just like yesterday Then I'll get on my knees and pray We don't get fooled again!” Check out the video on You-Tube for yourself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jIK7tpSsmY Posted by Peter Munce at 2.27pm, Tuesday 27th February 2007. That’s an unusual greeting for an election campaign you might say but a familiar one as I went on campaign trail in Bangor market this week from well known character and market trader Clive. I found the people that I spoke to very friendly and interested in the forthcoming election. Most people were keen to see a devolved government return to Northern Ireland. “What are you going to do about the water charges” was a popular question. “This new rating system is going to hit us hard and it takes no account of our ability to pay” said others. “Our health service is a shambles despite the good work done by doctors and nurses – what can you do about it?” was another. The police service was another area where shoppers were concerned “ we need to see more police on the ground especially where we live.” The television people were there too to prepare material for election coverage. BBC’s Jim Fitzpatrick mixed with the shoppers and traders to capture some of the colour and atmosphere. “ Don’t look at the camera but tell me why people should vote for you in the forthcoming Assembly Election? – “ The turn out in North Down last time was only 54% - do people really care?” How are you going to get them to come out on March 7?” I thought this was interesting. If people were concerned about bread and butter issues why wouldn’t they come out to vote for our own Government? They had clearly identified to me that they were aware of the issues. Direct Rule Ministers who were unaccountable to these voters were pressing on with increased charges and reforms, which were not in their interests. The black hole of health and education needed more and more money but yet there was no improvement in the services. And yet Jim was concerned that there would be another low turnout at the polls; and he could be right! I was confident from the people that I talked to would turn out to record their vote for progress. But what of the others? Do they not see the need to return Government to the people with accountable Ministers and Members at Stormont? I hope so and it would make my sore feet worthwhile should this happen!! In the meantime I’ll have a couple of pounds of bananas, some of your juicy oranges and that nice cauliflower – thanks Clive! And back to the Campaign Trail for the next fortnight. Posted by Leslie Cree at 9.18am, Monday 26th February 2007. Door to door canvassing is a key element of any election campaign. It can be hard and exhausting work but can also be very rewarding. I have started the process in my own immediate neighbourhood and that means that many people already know me either personally or by reputation. To a large extent it is therefore building on my on-going work on behalf of my local community. The job is certainly easier when people realise that you have been working actively on their behalf over a number of years Generally I and those who are helping me are being very well received. People are concerned about a range of very practical issues - rates, planning, changes in our education system, health, jobs, policing. Most people are telling me that if I were to be elected they want to see me in a working Assembly which will tackle the real practical issues facing them. One problem I am encountering is a degree of apathy. Some people are frustrated that for a long time we have had what they see as a non-working Assembly. The also see the degree of uncertainty in other parties and wonder where the whole process is taking us. In that respect it is proving very useful to say that the Ulster Unionist Party is fully committed to the process, is concentrating on real practical issues and will do everything within reason to help get the process moving again. There is of course always the person whom it is impossible to satisfy. Recently someone wanted me to commit to significantly lower taxation and at the same time ensure enhanced services in areas such as health and education. Even a politician seeking votes must draw the line somewhere and I have probably lost that particular vote!. But on the whole people in North Down appear to be accept that the UUP is clearly staking out a positive approach and concentrating on the real issues which affect how people live. Hopefully that will be reflected in the turn out on election day and we will achieve our objective of getting our three candidates from North Down - Leslie Cree, Alan McFarland and myself - elected to a working Assembly. Posted by Marion Smith at 3.43pm, Friday 23rd February 2007. To borrow a good aul South Armagh saying, I have been "up and at it," these past number of weeks. My day kicks off at 6.30am and quite often runs through until 1.30am. I have travelled the Fermanagh & South Tyrone constituency top to bottom, meeting some really interesting people along the way. There have also been many laughs along the way! A couple of weeks ago I went to the Dungannon Swifts versus Linfield game - the blues crushed the Swifts, 5-1. I was decked out in a pair of ripped jeans and my Northern Ireland football shirt. Later that evening I attended a concert function as part of Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council's contribution to Lithuanian Day. I later atended a Mayoral Reception in the Council Offices. Not wanting to flash my colours around (as it were) I had my coat zipped half ways up, concealing the Northern Ireland badge. Then a local press photographer asked for all the political people to gather together for a pic with the Lithuanian Ambassador, who was visiting Dungannon to discuss race attacks and the need for good relations between the local indigenous population and the Lithuanian Community. All of us seemed to be in place and just as the camera was about to be clicked, Sinn Fein's Francie Molloy stepped in beside me, I was concerned at how I could be viewed by the Unionist community of South Tyrone, standing in a pic with Francie Molloy, wearing a green top. So I thought, better to give it some, I tossed my coat off and stood there for the pic with a cheesy grin on my face, showing-off my beloved Northern Ireland football top. The pics were carried in the local press the following week, I will cherish those pics forever. I have carried through my usual busy schedule throughout this campaign, people on the doorsteps know that there are no airs and graces with Kenny Donaldson - I believe in solid graft, the day that a politician believes he/she is there to be served by people as opposed to "serving people" is the end. Posted by Kenny Donaldson at 9.26am, Tuesday 20th February 2007. I am standing for election on 7th March 2007 for the position of M.L.A. - I feel my record of achievement and working for my community speaks for itself and why I hope to be elected. A councillor for 12 years, and have gained a reputation for hard work, integrity and commitment and for always putting my constituents first. I have been Deputy Mayor and Mayor. I led and continue to campaign against the unjust water rates organising the collection of 12000 signatures. I have fought against the new higher rates which are being implemented disgracefully. I spearheaded the campaign against the destruction of one of the best educational systems in the U.K. collecting almost 16000 signatures. Involved with the education of our young people at all levels. I am a member of the Omnibus Partnership, a voluntary organisation of disabled people, and for which I successfully campaigned for the retention of accessible and inclusive public bus and rail transport. I have consistently fought against Planning Service decisions which so often ignore the wishes of local people. Since being elected through my campaign to retain The Banks Residential Home I have supported and helped in many ways the more vulnerable members of our society. Through the PSNI, I established a local Neighbourhood Watch Scheme which has led the way with other schemes. The future is in the hands of you the voters. I promise I will give my full commitment to working with common sense and experience on the daily issues which are important to us all. We need local people back into the Assembly who carry a bit of clout and who are not afraid to stand up and fight for what is right. I give my promise that, as always, you - the community have my full commitment to do my best at all times and carry out my duties with honour. Posted by Cllr Marion Smith at 15.55pm, Monday 19th February 2007. For someone new to frontline politics, the past few weeks from selection to nomination have been a rollercoaster ride. It has been very challenging but extremely enjoyable. I have relied heavily on the local team in Foyle who have been a tremendous source of strength with their vast amount of knowledge and experience. I have really enjoyed the contact with people and getting out and about in Londonderry. Last week I took part in an event organised by Disability Action which brought together local politicians in the Foyle area to discuss what a future Assembly could do for people with a disability. The whole debate underlined the need for a locally, devolved Executive to be in place so that local politicians can affect real change for local people. Despite my initial nerves whist doing radio interviews, I have managed to overcome (I hope!!) the dry mouth, dodgy stomach and shaky hand, having done a good few by now... Life behind the scenes is a lot different to actually being the candidate yourself but with the support of friends, family, colleagues and my bemused fiancée I am looking forward to the next few weeks on the campaign trail in Foyle and securing a seat for the Ulster Unionist Party. Posted by Peter Munce at 11.17pm, Wednesday 14th February 2007. |
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