McGuinness Backs SF In South Antrim

A senior republican has been praising party colleagues as they launched the South Antrim Sinn Fein Assembly and council election campaigns.

Martin McGuinness - the Deputy First Minister at Stormont - who used the title 'Joint First Minister' at the event - was speaking at the party convention to select both Assembly and council candidates.

He described the SF panel in South Antrim as a formidable and determined team: "As in so many other areas Sinn Fein in South Antrim is putting forward a strong and determined team of representatives who will ensure that this constituency is properly represented both at council and Assembly levels," said Mr McGuinness, (pictured).

"For decades conservative Unionism dominated this constituency. Nationalist and republicans lacked proper representation and were often marginalised and isolated building.

"That is no longer the case. Mitchel McLaughlin, an outstanding public representative, will be joined by our strongest ever team of council candidates.

"Sinn Fein is growing rapidly in South Antrim. We are the party of radical change. We are the only all-Ireland party.

"I am confident that the Sinn Fein programme will earn the support of the people of South Antrim just as dramatically as happened in South West Donegal last week," enthused the Stormont Deputy First Minister, who also said that Mitchel McLaughlin, Sinn Fein's Economy Spokesperson will contest the Assembly election.

(BMcC/KMcA)