Alliance selects Dickson and Donnelly for East Antrim

East Antrim Alliance Candidates Danny Donnelly (left) Stewart Dickson MLA (right)

Stewart Dickson MLA, and Alliance Party Activist, Danny Donnelly, have been selected to contest the Assembly election in East Antrim on 2nd March.

The East Antrim Alliance Association selected the duo at a selection meeting (in Carnlough) on Wednesday evening. The special selection was required after the Secretary of State, James Brokenshire, called a snap election two days before on Monday 16th January.

Mr Dickson is the sitting MLA and was re-elected to represent East Antrim in May 2016. Mr Donnelly, who lives in Larne, is well known for his passion for campaigning on environmental issues. He also ran in the last Assembly election.

Following their selection, the candidates issued a joint statement saying:

“We are determined to strongly contest this snap election caused by the Renewable Heat Incentive scandal. We are more ready than ever to strongly represent the people of East Antrim.

“The East Antrim electorate made their decision eight months ago. The two main parties have since chosen to reject this decision. Perhaps this election will give people the opportunity to vote differently and hold the failed governing parties to account.

“We are really excited and are looking forward to contesting the election from Monkstown, to Greenisland, Carrickfergus, Whitehead, Larne, Ballygally, Glenarm and right through to Cushendall and Cushendun in the Glens.

Alliance Election Candidates S Dickson MLA D Donnelly (centre front) at the Selection Meeting

“It really is time for sensible people to elect sensible politicians who will deal with key local issues, such as infrastructure improvement in the Glens, a redevelopment strategy for Greenisland, natural gas to Whitehead and other urban areas, improved rail links for freight to the Port of Larne, upgraded fibre optic linkage speeds, driving up prosperity on the back of our recent enhancements to the A2 and A8 roads and securing proper care for the elderly and vulnerable in our society.

“With issues such as Health reform being ignored in Stormont, we will fight to keep the GP practice in Glenarm open. With teachers striking and schools underfunded, we will continue our work to advocate for greater budgets for the schools in East Antrim. And with Brexit looming and no government, Alliance will work at a regional, national and European level to represent the interests of East Antrim and Northern Ireland.

“While the future of the institutions is more uncertain, the Alliance Party is continuing to work hard for everyone locally and is ready for an election – what we now need is for people who want changes to vote for it.”