Write a commentNewry City Councillor Kevin McAteer will stand for People Before Profit in the upcoming Assembly election in March.
Councillor McAteer has been a councillor since 2014, having been elected as part of the SDLP, before quitting the party to go independent.
In addition to his role on the council, Kevin works in homecare, and is going to university next year to start a nursing degree.
Speaking after the announcement, Councillor McAteer said “I am delighted to be standing for People Before Profit. Unlike most elected reps, my experience in politics has inspired me to move radically to the left rather than to the right as most politicians do. The reason is simple: the more I learn about the political system here, the more I realise that it is set up to fail the working class people that I want to assist and represent. The scandal surrounding the RHI debacle is not a one off. Instead, it is indicative of the corrupt and sectarian manner that Stormont operates. We need something different, beyond the stale ideas of Unionism and Nationalism. That is why I will be standing for People Before Profit, a genuine socialist party that does politics differently, and seeks a radical overhaul of the way that this place works.”
McAteer, who spent the best part of a decade in youth work, has said that challenging the effects of austerity locally will be key to his campaign “The recent announcement of cuts to youth services is a scandal. I was involved in this sector for a long time and I have seen firsthand how important these services are. I have seen how youth clubs have effectively taken young people off our streets and helped them learn and develop new skills that are vital for their future. Unfortunately, this kind of Stormont implemented austerity is not unique. If elected I can be relied upon to fight all cuts, defend our health service, protect Daisy Hill and be a voice for young people who are seeing what little services they have slashed.“
Gerry Carroll, the outgoing MLA for West Belfast, has welcomed Kevin to the slate “The people of Newry and Armagh will have the chance to vote for something different in this election. Every vote counts, and every vote will send a message to the establishment that enough is enough. I call on people to get behind Kevin and People Before Profit, and help build a socialist alternative to the status quo.”
