Write a comment
The Newry, Mourne & Down Youth Council successfully hosted a vibrant and engaging Hustings event for the upcoming Westminster Election at Newry Youth Resource Centre earlier this week. The event provided a unique platform for young people to voice their concerns and pose critical questions to the candidates standing in the Newry & Armagh constituency.
Eight candidates are in the running for the upcoming election. The four candidates who attended the event were Pete Byrne (SDLP), Helena Young (Alliance), Dáire Hughes (Sinn Féin), and Liam Reichenberg (Aontú). Unfortunately, Samantha Rayner (NI Conservatives), Sam Nicholson (UUP), Gareth Wilson (DUP), and Keith Radcliffe (TUV) sent their apologies due to a scheduling conflict with another hustings event in Markethill.
The youth of the district had the opportunity to ask questions on a variety of pressing issues including immigration, education, healthcare, finance, cost of living, safety, abstentionism, LGBTQIA+ & identity, housing, and voting rights.
Speaking on finances Pete Byrne, SDLP said "When we talk about finances for youth services and services for children with special educational needs they are always the services that are cut first because when you have budget that is so stripped across departments and you can't finance the basic things unfortunately they are all cut, putting an over reliance on the voluntary/community sector to pick up the burden, to fundraise, to have these services in our community”.
Helena Young, Alliance spoke of our new residents making a fantastic contribution to Newry "If people are seeking solace and refuge in our country they should be welcomed with open arms. There does need to be better systems put in place, the processing system need to be much quicker. So many of the people that are coming to live here are making such a fantastic contribution to our society, for instance, the medics and support workers coming from places such as India to work in Daisy Hill Hospital, without them I do not know where our hospital would be”.
Dáire Hughes, Sinn Féin says the health system needs to change "We need to develop a health system that is well resourced, with more funding, that allows citizens who are struggling with Mental or Physical Health issues to live their lives with the greatest degree of dignity and pride, to be able to enjoy themselves and reach their full potential, currently the system doesn't allow us to do that so changes need to be made”.
Liam Reichenberg, Aontú was concerned about lack of engagement from young people "I would welcome voting at 16, the bigger issue that concerns me is the lack of engagement from young people. Engagement is very important and it concerns me that so many people don't vote, it is such a shame when you have the opportunity to have your say that people don't take it. Politics is about engaging, discussions and dialogue and working for a common good, we may not all agree on what that looks like or how it should be done but we are all doing it for the same reason because we want this to be a better place”.
The event was made possible with the support of the Education Authority Youth Service and Newry, Mourne & Down District Council. Special thanks go to FLARE for their support, our Moderator Danny Mulligan, and all the youth councillors who worked tirelessly to organise this successful event.
"We are proud to have provided this platform for young people to engage directly with their future representatives," said a spokesperson from the Youth Council. "This event highlights the importance of youth participation in the democratic process."
Newry, Mourne & Down Youth Council encourages all eligible voters to cast their votes on Thursday, 4th July. Your voice matters – make it heard.
