SDLP supports call for 20mph urban speed limit

SDLP Strabane candidates has supported the Go 20 campaign by the road safety charity Brake and Allianz Insurance to make 20mph the default urban speed limit - and joins eight in 10 people (78%) across the UK who believe 20mph should be the norm around schools, on residential streets, and in village, town and city centres.

SDLP Sperrin candidate Liam Stewart said: "I am delighted to support this important campaign - and would urge drivers across the Strabane district and throughout the North to protect people right away, by slowing down to 20mph around homes, schools and shops, even where the limit is still 30mph.

"20mph limits not only help make streets safer and more pleasant for walking and cycling, but also promise to deliver improvements in public health via reductions in congestion, pollution and noise."

Julie Townsend, deputy chief executive, Brake, said: "The GO 20 campaign is about defending everyone's right to walk and cycle freely without being endangered, whether it's to get to work, school, the shops, or just getting out and being active.

SDLP Derg candidate Jim McIntyre said: "We need to tackle the senseless and violent casualties that continue to happen daily on our roads, and we need to enable people to live healthy, active, social lives. It's clear that 20mph limits in communities like Strabane can help bring this about and it's clear this is what people want. That's why so many local authorities are making the switch from 30mph to 20mph. With many people already reaping the benefits of living in 20mph areas, we're reaching a point where it makes no sense to retain 30mph as the default limit in built-up areas. It's time for the government to GO 20 nationally, to save councils money and help create safe, active, happy communities."

BYRNE: STRABANE SDLP CANDIDATES WILL DELIVER A FRESH APPROACH TO LOCAL POLITICS

West Tyrone MLA Joe Byrne has accompanied SDLP candidates lodging nomination papers for the upcoming local council elections to the Strabane District Council offices on Thursday.

Mr Byrne said: "Our Strabane candidates are the only new faces out of all candidates to challenge the local election. This election must be about a new fresh approach to Strabane and the issues which face our people. These candidates have been active within the community on behalf of the SDLP for almost three years now, this proves their dedication to the Strabane people and their willingness to do all they can to give Strabane a powerful voice on the new Strabane/Derry Council.

"I have every faith in their ability and application - and importantly that they will work hard to identify the key issues affecting our local economy and so many of our public services.

"They have all been listening to people's concerns and ideas during the election campaign.

"Unlike others, the SDLP is about delivering for others.  At a time when people are struggling to make ends meet, they want a party that cares about them - not parties who are only obsessed about themselves and their status.  

"Our candidates will reiterate that on health, the economy, poverty, justice and much more besides, great potential exists, waiting to be exploited - not least in terms of a shared future in Strabane and the expansion and development of third level education facilities which would ensure we have a young educated population who can compete with the rest of the world and strong businesses that can compete with the best in the world.

"I wish all of the candidates every success in the upcoming election and have no doubts they will take up the challenges of the present to pursue a better future for all. If you want things to change, vote Team SDLP on May 22nd"

McIntyre hits out at £15 charge to vote

This week Derg SDLP Candidate Jim McIntyre has expressed outrage following a local GP Practice charging £15 to have a postal vote form signed for an elderly resident.

Mr McIntyre spoke of his anger following the resident contacting him and spoke of their frustration as they could not afford to pay the £15 to have the form signed and be able to vote.

Speaking on the matter Mr McIntyre said "I was outraged to hear that an elderly resident from Strabane was quoted £15 from a local GP practice to have their postal vote form filled in by a qualified person. The gentleman in question is unable to go to the polling station on Election Day himself due to problems with his mobility."

"I recommended he fill in an application form for a postal vote as this would allow him to vote without having to go to the polling station. On the back it is required that a qualified medical professional sign the form to confirm they cannot vote in person. He then discovered, after contacting his medical practice, it was £15 per form."  

"This is totally unacceptable. It is a basic human right to be allowed to vote in free democratic elections. £15 to a pensioner is a lot of money that many cannot afford to spend in the current economic climate. Due to this fee he is being denied his right to vote. The SDLP have always strived to ensure that basic human rights for everyone are protected."

"I am calling on all medical centres to provide this service for free to ensure everyone can vote in the forthcoming elections. It is a fundamental human right to vote and the issue of affordability should not affect this right in any way."

Kelly: SDLP offers strength and hope for young people

Newly elected chairperson of Strabane SDLP Youth, Mark Kelly has said that the SDLP is the party that offers young people the greatest strength and hope for their future.

Speaking after his election, Mr Kelly said:

"Young people are facing huge challenges. Youth unemployment is intolerably high and continues to blight the lives of people emerging from our schools and universities. We all know friends or relatives who have had to leave our shores because of the economic climate. The SDLP wants young people to have the opportunity to travel, to broaden their horizons and come home with new skills. No one should be forced to leave their home because of lack of opportunity.

"As Chairperson of Strabane SDLP Youth, I will prioritise the issues that matter most to our young people. Education, employment, equality. I was delighted that at our annual conference strong, vibrant women were elected to every contested position on our Youth Executive.

"As a young person, I understand the experiences and fears of my peer group. We are frustrated that government and Europe is not delivering. That's why we need a robust, Pro-European voice in the European Parliament, fighting for our needs. Alex Attwood will fight for everyone but especially young people and will use Europe as a force for change. As a Minister and a negotiator on policing and the past, he is politician who gets things done. We need strength again in Europe and he will deliver it.

"These are no ordinary elections. Young voters have the power to shape change. I would encourage every young person to stand for what they believe in. I'll be standing with Alex Attwood, standing with our local government candidates and standing with the people of Northern Ireland."

ASH pledges support for ovarian cancer awareness campaign

 

SDLP Derg Candidate Marie Ash has pledged her support for a specific ovarian cancer awareness campaign.. 

 "Research has shown that 37 per cent women in Northern Ireland are not at all confident about identifying the symptoms. That is a startling figure and something must be done to rectify that, which is why a specific awareness campaign for ovarian cancer is so urgently needed.   

"It is also alarming, and shocking, that 38 cancer drugs are not available to cancer patients in Northern Ireland.

"My party MP's have pledged to do what they can to make sure that message gets to Westminster, and in the SDLP will do what we can to change that.

"The SDLP are proactively lobbying Westminster to establish a much needed Cancer Drugs Fund for Northern Ireland.

"The discrimination that currently exists against cancer patients because of where they live must end and, together with our health spokesperson, Fearghal McKinney MLA  - who has taken up the fight at Assembly level on behalf of patients with the government, demanding immediate action to end discrimination against cancer patients in Northern Ireland and start saving lives - the SDLP will continue to support this fight and work to affect change."

Byrne: Robinson ignores cost of policing marches and protests as he threatens to take nuclear option on Welfare Reform

The First Minister Peter Robinson has ignored the cost of policing the divisive marches and protests across the last year as he threatens to take the 'nuclear option' on Welfare Reform, according to SDLP West Tyrone MLA Joe Byrne.

Mr Byrne said "The fact Peter Robinson would threaten us with a 'nuclear option' regarding welfare reform is bad enough, but the fact he insists it is the most vulnerable who will suffer with massive budget cuts is unacceptable.

"The First Minister warns failure to introduce welfare reform here, with the devastating impact it would have on Northern Irish families, would lead to as much as £1billion being taken out of the block grant over the next five years.

"last week, in an interview the Finance Minister, the DUP's Simon Hamilton warned that already £15m had been racked up in penalties in the last financial year for not imposing welfare reform, and this figure would rise to £100m this year.

"The Finance Minister threatened to remove £68m from the health budget, which he admitted would have 'a devastating impact', and £30m from the Justice budget. It is clear to me both the Finance Minister and the First Minister are creating a climate of fear and distress for the most vulnerable in our society without taking a responsible approach of seeing where some very practical savings could be made.

"For example, the cost of policing the long-standing protest at Twaddell in North Belfast is approaching £7m so far, with a continuing daily cost of over £40,000. Where is the DUP concern about this cost? Surely, such a practical cost saving could be made if the political will and leadership existed within the DUP to help resolve this long-standing protest.

"The DUP have only focused on the cost consequences to the NI Budget if Welfare Reform is not achieved in the image of what London is imposing. They have said very little about the damage that will be caused to families, communities and individuals in West Tyrone and across the North because of what London will impose.

"I do not believe there has been much recent negotiation by the DUP with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).  Since before the summer, DWP has given not an inch to DSD in regarding amendments to Welfare Reform.

"The DUP Finance Minister Simon Hamilton and the First Minister have questions to answer about the role that he can play in respect of welfare reform and stop being messengers for Treasury when it comes to the threat of welfare reform. We in the SDLP will continue to fight for and protect vulnerable people"

Byrne: Poots is asleep at the wheel on concept of TYC review

SDLP MLA Joe Byrne says, “While there is some value in an Emergency Health Summit it will not go far enough in addressing the core issues.”

“The SDLP has said from the start of this crisis that the situation in our emergency departments was a symptom and not a cause. Simply looking again at the symptoms will not resolve the situation.

“While the Health Minister refused to recognise the crisis at the start, in the intervening months he has slowly and reluctantly begun to wake up to the underlying causes.  This conference is another step along the way to recognising those underlying difficulties caused by the Transforming Your Care agenda.

“Public confidence in the entire system need to be addressed and that can be helped by an independent review of the Transforming Your Care targets.

“It is now two and a half years since the introduction of TYC and there is little evidence that the shift of money away from hospital services is happening effectively, or even at all. The Health Committee has heard evidence from the Department that outlines the successes of TYC and conversely from respected Unions such as the RCN who say they don’t know what it is and cannot see any evidence of its implementation.

“We in the SDLP will be urging the Committee to back an SDLP call for the Minister to begin to measure and review Transforming Your Care in the best interests of patients staff and public confidence.”