CAMPAIGN LAUNCH - WHEN SDLP WIN EVERYONE WINS

Tuesday 5 May 2009

When We Win You Win was the message at the official launch of Alban Maginness' European Election Campaign in Belfast.

SDLP European candidate Alban Maginness today launched his election campaign at the Radisson Hotel in Belfast. Present were party leader Mark Durkan MP MLA, campaign director Patsy McGlone MLA and former MEP John Hume who came to wish him well.

Patsy McGlone said the formal launch did not mark the start of Alban's campaign - they had canvassed together in Cookstown as far back as 15th December.

Alban Maginness said he had travelled throughout the North since his nomination, listening to people voicing their concerns and their fears, but also hearing them expressing the hopes they have for themselves, their families, their communities and this country.

He said: "This election is taking place against the backdrop of a global economic and financial crisis. Times are tough and they will get tougher.

European responses and international measures are needed if we are to have financial stability and economic growth for the years ahead. As a member of the Party of European Socialists, the SDLP will be as bold in purpose and imaginative in thought in the European Parliament as we have been in our own Assembly.

We will fight to restore the economic voice of the North in Europe and to ensure steps are taken to fight the recession and mass unemployment.

We will push a new strong recovery plan with coordinated investment in jobs and green growth.

And promote a European Employment Pact to safeguard employment, create new and better jobs, and strengthen workers' rights, conditions and pay.

Fundamental social rights must be ensured - including free collective bargaining, trade union rights

Our economic well-being will only be enhanced by a healthy rural economy to which the farming industry is key. I will work tirelessly towards reinstating the good relationship that once existed between Europe and our farming families.

Top of my list of priorities will be the protection and strengthening of our Less Favoured Areas. And I want to bring an end to the practice of allowing inferior imported goods entering the EU food chain without traceability records. And I pledge to stand-up for our fishermen who are struggling to make a living and who need someone who will fight for them in Europe.

This election is not a sectarian vanity contest. It is about people, their needs and their priorities. Other parties will make all sorts of promises about what they will do for you over the next five years. But I ask what they've done over the last five years? They have no influence or record in Europe and we're all paying the price for that. When they win, we all lose.

The SDLP can deliver a better, shared future for all. The North has lost out in Europe without the SDLP. Now is our time again. I was inspired to get involved in politics because of the peaceful progressive leadership of John Hume.

I am a proud Irishman and a proud European. I believe passionately in the SDLP's vision of a reconciled people living in a united, just and prosperous new Ireland, an inclusive and outward-looking nation that will play a leading role in the new Europe.

These are challenging times for us all. But our best days are ahead of us.
Northern Ireland needs to be at the heart of Europe again. Only the SDLP can restore your voice in Europe and your faith in government.