The SDLP in Strabane has selected four candidates to fight next year’s local government elections.
Patrick Leonard.
At a selection convention held in Murphy’s on the Green in the town last night, sitting councillor Patsy Kelly was ratified along with new candidates Patrick Leonard, Liam Stewart and Jim McIntyre.
West Tyrone SDLP MLA Joe Byrne congratulated all four on being selected.
He added: “Next year will see the beginning of a new era for local councils as Strabane amalgamates with Derry City Council to form a new super council.
“It is very important the people of Strabane have a strong voice to fight their corner in this new arena. I have every faith we have chosen the right people for the difficult job ahead.
“When I was elected back to the Assembly in 2011, I made a promise to provide a strong fighting voice for the people of Strabane and District and the wider West Tyrone. The people of Strabane who shared my vision of hope and ambition for a better Strabane exceeded all expectation and have rebuilt the SDLP membership to its highest in over 40 years.”
Mr Byrne concluded: “I would like to thank them all for their support and hard work and wish our candidates the very best of luck on the hard work ahead.”
The SDLP has only one sitting councillor on Strabane District Council – Patsy Kelly who represents the Mourne ward. The other wards are Derg and Glenelly.
Sinn Fein has the largest representation on Strabane District Council with eight elected representatives and currently holds the top two positions of chairperson and vice-chairperson. The DUP (Democratic Unionist Party) has four representatives, Independents two and UUP (Ulster Unionist Party) one each.
