McGrady will not contend Stormont elections

Senior SDLP representative Eddie McGrady has announced his decision not to stand for re-lection as assembly member for South Down this summer.

The 65-year-old veteran politician described the move as a "natural break" and said that "personal and family problems" had also influenced his decision to scale back on his commitments.

Mr McGrady, who is the MP for South Down and a member of the Policing Board, however pledged to continue serving the people of his constituency.

"I'm simply taking a change of direction. I'm going back to where I was four years ago before the assembly," he said.

"I took over the additional burden of the assembly, over and above that which I have as MP for South Down. I will be continuing to give the same service and representation to South Down at Westminster."

On who his successor might be, Mr McGrady said that there was a "very good list of contenders who are all able, willing and eager to serve" which, he said, was the sign of a "very healthy" party structure in south Down.

However, Mr McGrady – who joined the party on its formation in 1970 and became in first chairman – voiced his disappointment that he had not been selected as a minister in the fledgling executive.

"It would be incorrect to say that I was disappointed I was not given the opportunity to serve better or more fully than I was, but that's history," he said – adding that it had not impacted upon his decision to quit.

Eddie McGrady entered politics in 1960 as a member of Downpatrick Urban District Council and served there until 1973, holding the position of Chairman for several years.

Mr McGrady was first elected for Westminster in 1987 and has been returned at every election since. He has been involved with a number of committee's at Westminster and Stormont, and is the party's public administration spokesperson.

(GMcG)