Maginness: Europe is Within Our Grasp

Friday 1 February 2008

SDLP European candidate Alban Maginness, who was the special guest speaker at the annual SDLP Bangor dinner, at the Royal Hotel, Bangor, has said that regaining a seat in the European Parliament is "within our grasp".

Mr. Maginness told a packed room of SDLP activists and invited guests that "2009 will be the year of the SDLP. In the past 12 months we have seen unprecedented levels of change around the world. This is the time when we should be looking towards Europe for help, not a time when we should be adopting a more insular, eurosceptic approach. This is not the time for little Irelanders or little Englanders. We are citizens of Europe, as well as citizens of Ireland.

"Europe worked best for the people of the North when there was SDLP representation in the European Parliament. When we work together in Europe we are greater than the sum of our parts. Our opponents have rejected Europe as an anti-Irish, neo-imperialistic, rich mans club. That could not be further from the truth. Europe champions the rights of those on low pay and ensures fair pay for good work.

"Europe offers protection to the working, the workless and strives to improve work prospects for the future. And that supports those creating jobs through innovation, enterprise, and technology.

"These are the challenges which lie ahead if we are to reclaim the rich legacy of John Hume, which has been, squandered by his inadequate successors."

ENDS

Further information:
SDLP Press Office 028 9052 1364