Women’s coalition reveals local government candidates
The Women’s Coalition is to field eight candidates in the local government elections, the party revealed today.
The eight candidates will stand in five local council areas - Belfast, Castlereagh, Armagh, Newtownabbey and North Down.
The party made the announcement at the launch of its Local Government Election manifesto on a river taxi on the River Lagan.
The Women’s Coalition will field three candidates in Belfast - Eliz Byrne-McCullough in Castle, Mary Carney in Upper Falls and Anne Monaghan in Laganbank.
Two candidates will contest wards in North Down - Norma Heaton in Holywood and Patricia Wallace in Ballyholme and Groomsport.
Margaret Connolly will bid for a seat in Armagh city, Eileen Cairnduff in Castlereagh West and Joan Cosgrove in the Antrim Line ward of Newtownabbey.
South Belfast MLA, Monica McWilliams said the party wanted to increase women’s involvement in politics at all levels.
‘‘These local government elections will be the first since the Good Friday Agreement was signed,’’ she said.
‘‘We want to build a peaceful society from the ground up and local councils have an important role to play in that. We want to enable more women to get involved in politics at all levels. We have a great deal to contribute.’’
The local government election manifesto calls for:
:: The promotion of good relations between communities.
:: A safe and healthy environment for all.
:: Partnerships between councils and community groups.
:: Economic development strategies that benefit the whole community and target long-term unemployment and women.
:: Equal access to leisure facilities for all ages, abilities and backgrounds.
:: The removal of obstacles to older people’s participation in their communities.
:: A Shadow Youth Council to enable the voice of young people to be heard and age-appropriate facilities to be delivered.
:: Creative policies for dealing with waste including recycling and increased education.
:: The promotion of alternative transport, reducing the reliance on cars and increasing road safety.
:: Increased access to local council information and officers.
Women’s Coalition election co-ordinator Kate Fearon said with Northern Ireland women only accounting for 15% of its current crop of councillors, the Province was badly lagging behind England, Wales and Scotland.
‘‘We want to see that change and we are giving women opportunities to have their voices heard.
‘‘We have always put the concerns of ordinary people at the centre of our policies. That’s why out manifesto centres on communities.
‘‘We are calling for safety in the community, planning and development which are sensitive to people’s needs and equality in services.’’
