SDLP Waterside councillor Gerry Diver
NEW SDLP MLA in waiting Gerry Diver wants to use his fresh political role in the Assembly in the New Year to attract more jobs and inward investment to Derry.
Mr Diver will be formally endorsed at a selection convention at the Maldron Hotel on Tuesday, December 22.
He was to face a contest for the MLA seat from party colleague Martin McKeown but he has now bowed out of the race.
The seat becomes available on December 31 when sitting MLA and SDLP stalwart Pat Ramsey retires on health grounds.
Mr Diver – currently the party leader on Derry City and Strabane District Council – will be co-opted in the Assembly in early January 2016.
He has been a councillor for 14 years and has been working in the voluntary and community sector for 20 years.
Mr Diver said: “Pat Ramsey is a political legend locally.
“I am honoured to have been put forward and I look forward to the many challenges. I’m looking forward to being in Stormont.
“Foyle faces a number of challenges like economic disadvantages, infrastructure issues and the growth of the university.
“I want to focus on job creation and investment in the north west.
“Derry and the Foyle constituency has never really got what it deserved.
“I’m going to bring my expertise to the table but it’s not for Gerard Diver to make changes alone.”
