Sinn Fein targets two seats in Upper Bann

Selected last Thursday were sitting MLA and Minister for Education John O’Dowd and party colleague, Deputy Mayor of Armagh Banbridge and Craigavon, Catherine Seeley.

Mr O’Dowd who topped the poll in the last Assembly election, and Ms Seeley, who earned Sinn Féin’s highest ever vote in the constituency back in May’s Westminster election, will be viewed as a very strong duo as the party aim to win two seats in Upper Bann.

Mr O’Dowd said,“I am very pleased to announce that Sinn Féin will be running two candidates in the next Assembly election in Upper Bann.

“I am honoured to have been one of those selected, along with my colleague Catherine Seeley.”

He continued,“Sinn Féin have a realistic project in this constituency to maximise progressive representation based on equality for all.

“I firmly believe only the election of two Sinn Féin candidates in Upper Bann can make a real, progressive impact; as we face in to a difficult, but important, battle against the British Government’s Austerity Agenda. An agenda that it is aimed not only aimed at the most vulnerable and poorest in our society but also at struggling, working families.

“Austerity is not working, we need strong voices to stand up against it.”

Catherine Seeley also said only Sinn Féin could make a challenge to the Tory Government,

“Austerity is an attack on our society, and on all sections of our society,” she said.

“In the last Assembly term Sinn Fein had 29 seats, just one short of the 30 seat mark required to avail of the Petition of Concern mechanism. A mechanism that can stop legislation not based on equality or aimed to serve the few.

“Huge political importance lies with the gaining of more seats to reach this mark.”

She concluded, “As always I will strive to represent all the people of Upper Bann to the best of my ability, and I am confident that the electorate will see the importance of Sinn Féin’s anti-Austerity message.”