Maginness: Vote Smart on June 4

Sunday 31 May 2009

SDLP European election candidate Alban Maginness has appealed to the people of Northern Ireland to vote smart on June 4 in order to restore the voice of the North in Europe.

Mr Maginness said the SDLP are the only one of the four main parties who are pro-European and who will have the power as a member of the Party of European Socialists to bring about and influence economic recovery and help combat climate change.

He said: "Europe is part of our government and central to our life.

"While many people may feel more attached to national and regional parliaments it is important to ask, can the North tackle the economic crisis on its own?

"Can Northern Ireland combat climate change or fight the trafficking of women, children and drugs on its own?

"These problems need action at every level - local, regional, national as well European.

"More than 70 per cent of the laws which affect our everyday lives come from the European Parliament.

"On Thursday the people of Northern Ireland have a chance to influence how Europe - the largest economy in the world - develops over the next five years and how it can change our lives here for the better.

"We are in the deepest global recession since the 1930s.

"We need to start getting serious about the global climate and energy crisis, and address urgent humanitarian crises in the developing world.

These are all areas where Europe can make a difference.

"Don't be fooled by those who say that Europe is a bureaucracy you can't influence.

"The direction offered by the SDLP and our colleagues in the influential Party of European Socialists is clear.

"We have set out steps to fight the recession and combat climate change that we want taken.

"It would be absurd, therefore, to return three Euro-sceptic MEPs to Brussels and Strasbourg again.

"The SDLP are the only one of the four main parties who are pro-European and we are rightly proud of that record.

"So there is a good reason to vote: you are faced with a real political choice.

"It may be tempting to stay at home. But don't think that not voting makes no difference.

"By staying at home you give the extremists and greedy politicians a better chance of being elected and you could end up with an MEP who in no way shares your values, and who will not represent you.

"You run the risk of returning representatives who are marginalised and isolated by their inability to cooperate across national boundaries.

"So I appeal to everyone- please don't stay at home on European elections day.

"Use your vote to make your choice of the direction you think the North should take over the next five years and restore the voice of Northern Ireland in Europe.

ENDS