NI21 launches election manifesto
NI21 has launched its European election manifesto by calling for a “fresh relationship with Europe”.
European candidate Tina McKenzie laid out the pro-EU party standpoint at the launch on Thursday at Belfast’s Europa Hotel.
A need to tackle climate change, making the most the union for young people and creating a sustainable, competitive agri-food sector were highlighted as some of NI21‘s key priorities in Europe.
Mrs McKenzie, mother-of-three and with a background at senior level senior in the employment services industry, is a founding member of the party established after Basil McCrea and John McCallister split from the Ulster Unionist Party.
She said: “Our relationship with the EU is vitally important on this journey. Northern Ireland MEPs must shift their focus from primarily selling the peace process in Europe to promoting the people of Northern Ireland – our businesses skills and products. We need representation in Europe which is fit for the 21st Century.
“Our current MEPS are either lukewarm on Europe or openly hostile to the institutions – this helps no-one. The DUP, UUP and Sinn Féin are primarily focused on tribal divisions, so it is no surprise that we are not getting the best deal in Europe.”
The party is also fielding 47 candidates for the new ‘super councils’.
Party leader Basil McCrea added: “The biggest single problem for Northern Ireland is people are rejecting politics and when you do that who knows what’s going to happen. What we need is fresh politics, fresh people, fresh ideas and that’s what we’re offering.”
The European and local elections will take place on 22 May.
European Election Candidates
- Alliance Party – Anna Lo
- DUP – Diane Dodds
- Green Party – Ross Brown
- NI21 – Tina McKenzie
- NI Conservatives – Mark Brotherston
- SDLP – Alex Attwood
- Sinn Féin – Martina Anderson
- TUV – Jim Allister
- UKIP – Henry Reilly
- UUP – Jim Nicholson
