SDLP MLA for South Down & Health Spokesperson. colin.mcgrath
@mla
.niassembly.gov.uk
Published and promoted by SDLP, 15B Scotch Street, Downpatrick, BT30 6AQ
Quite a few on the ground moving too. Theyโre a little sick of the ambiguity about a New & inclusive Ireland, the ethics/actions of some of their elected reps & want to see social,democratic left-leaning politics not Tory-lite/centre-right which is what Alliance are.
@SDLPlive
A big thank you to Docโs Fish & Chips on Main St Newcastle who have given all emergency personnel working in Newcastle today complimentary food. Thatโs community right there!
Journo and Former DUP leader interviews former DUP deputy leader (neither of whom are now elected) and one discusses how depriving everyone of democracy here is how they protect democracy here. Seriously. This isnโt a parody itโs just the DUP ๐๐๐
-A Hard Brexit was not our fault.
-The 7 Tests were not enough after all.
-There may be instability.
-Up to
@RishiSunak
. Not us, Guv.
Is this the best that
@duponline
can offer before the Inward Investment Conference on 12th-13th September?
@ArleneFosterUK
@NigelDoddsDUP
โฆ
No itโs not. The Irish language belongs to us all and is all our heritage. Making statements like this is what creates tension. Sometimes saying nothing is better than contributing to the problem.
The aggressive imposition of unwanted Irish language signs in unionist areas is a deliberate effort to create tensions & yet another expression of nationalist supremacism. Itโs unsurprising it generates an angry response.
It's official - the WASPI women are owed compensation. The UK government is refusing to comply. Rest assured, the SDLP will continue to stand with women affected by state pension inequality, in Westminster and at home!๐บ
#WASPI
#compensation
@sdlplive
|
@ClaireHanna
@sandraschulze
No, โMayo for Samโ is code for โTwitter - take this twat off here plz cause theyโre evidently stupidโ - just to be clear, like ๐
Or maybe it delivered peace, stability and prosperity for the future. But sure if Jim didnโt have โNoโ to say heโd have absolutely nothing to contribute to any conversation. Heโs a dinosaur - belongs in the past. Letโs move on without him.
Why? You and your party wonโt bother so someone has to do it. Either step up or step aside. Time people were permitted to have decisions taken. Kids starving, toddlers books being taken away; waiting lists longer, potholes everywhere - weโre all suffering cause of you! ๐ก
Sam telling it as it is. When something isnโt working you fix it. If the British government isnโt interested in fixing it, unionists wonโt allow Stormont to fix it, then we need to galvanise those that want to. A New Ireland beckons. Exciting times.
Thereโs an end of days feel to Northern Ireland right now. A sort of half-hearted anarchy pervades as swathes of what society takes for granted are breaking down. The scale and nature of the crises now unfolding will have profound political consequences.
There is no place in a New Ireland for transphobia. The SDLP stands in solidarity with the trans community and will always stand up for you and with you.
#SDLP23
๐ณ๏ธโโง๏ธ
@SDLPlgbt
You may hail from here but you disappeared, got your career in another Parliament, now serve in an unelected one and want to stoke the flames here to deprive us of ours cause it doesnโt suit your โprinciplesโ??? Maybe just do one
@CatharineHoey
โฆ. ๐๐๐
โIf Stormont goes back with the present Windsor Framework, they in fact would be almost like what happened during the war with the Vichy government, where all those MLAs would be collaborators with a kind of colonial government."
Once again them pesky southern politicians diverting money to educate our children, open up the world to them and expand their horizons. And politicians here (DUP) allow childrenโs education to wither. Makes you think about the future for sureโฆ..
@SDLPlive
Today Iโm delighted to announce funding to ensure students in Northern Ireland can access Erasmus+
This was a commitment made by the Irish Government to the people of Northern Ireland after Brexit and today's announcement of โฌ2 million will ensure students can benefit from Sept.
๐งIโve been trying to convince the Department for Infrastructure that we need additional safety measures on the Bonecastle Road. When will they get the hint?
#Downpatrick
See Newton Emerson has it to a tee today. Now, letโs sort out and find the money, not waste time pointing the finger. SDLPโs
@NicholaMallon
will deliver if given the money to do so.
@SDLPlive
I've written to the Head of the Civil Service and Permanent Secrtary at the Health Dept this morning proposing that talks be convened between political leaders and health service leaders to address the bleak situation in emergency care.
This is too important to wait.
@SDLPlive
Jim has nothing to offer but doom, gloom, same old, same old - take you nowhere - but groan the whole way! Thankfully
@ClaireHanna
puts him in his box! ๐
Excellent to watch Claire Hanna rinse Jim Allister once again ๐๐ป
Claire is just a brilliant progressive champion who has a genuine vision for making this place better. ๐
@ClaireHanna
A short message for those who call us Nazis, and those issuing threats to our Health Minister. Simply put; they are pathetic, wrong, and dangerous. Stop.
@SDLPlive
@NicholaMallon
@columeastwood
If you're on a health waiting list, you're certainly calendar led - just remember as a person suffering and in desperate need the
@duponline
doesn't care about your calendar, just their own....
#selfishbunch
Solidarity today are with the family of Noah Donohue. The pain they have endured over the last two years is more than anyone should have to.
#RememberMyNoah
Aww what a pity you don't have a platform to legitimately make this point, like an Assembly Chamber or Public Accounts committee. What will you do, maybe borrow Jamie's bin?? ๐ค๐ค๐ค
ยฃ200m Stormont fraud and error.
Commenting on the Audit Office report: โAt a time of significant financial pressure it is quite appalling to discover over a 12 month period there has been almost ยฃ200m lost to fraud and error, with a staggering ยฃ174m in benefit fraud.
โIt isโฆ
If indeed placed by adults they would need to wise up. This sort of behaviour can destroy community relations and set us all back a generation. Thankfully I have full faith this view is not representative of the majority in that area.
@SDLPlive
Shocking. Truly shocking. Itโs Invest NI not Invest Belfast. I will be seeking an urgent meeting with the Minister to ask a simple question - when will South Down get a visit? We pay taxes too!!! ๐ก๐ก
@SDLPlive
Canโt understand why people couldnโt vote for a ban on animal cruelty. Double standards by SF here is most shocking. I was happy to support the bill to its next stage today. Sad that it fell.
@SDLPlive
I'm at Stormont today, ready to elect a Speaker and get back to work. With so many issues to get addressed I appeal to those within the DUP, especially my South Down colleague
@dianejforsythe
,to end the stand off and let's get to work.
#AssemblyRecall
Local businesses are being sacrificed on the altar of the DUP's reckless (and doomed to fail) crusade. How much longer are they expected to cling on without much needed support?๐
Amazing how, as a recall of Assembly is arranged, the Education Minister appears to โsuddenlyโ move on school reopening dates. Always too late to make decisions. An education sector left catching up! Not fair on staff, parents or pupils! โฆ
@SDLPlive
โฉ
Thank you to
@talkRADIO
and
@petercardwell
for the opportunity to explain the need for an urgent intervention to control the virus here in the North. Thanks to Sammy too for, well, making my argument easierโฆ..
@SDLPlive
Today the PSNI has just told a large section of the community it doesnโt want to be seen with them. Police forces across the world participate in Pride marches. Yet another example where at times it feels here like itโs North Korea not the North of Ireland
@ChiefConPSNI
The PSNI says officers and staff will not participate in police uniform in the
@belfastpride
parade this year.
ACC Bobby Singleton said they had to balance "fairness, integrity and impartiality" obligations, but will maintain a "broader participation".
#LGBT
@BelfastLive
I will always stand up for those still shielding who have a right to come out into the world again and know those around them pose less of a risk. This is about responsibility and I will not stop fighting for them.
@NicholaMallon
@SDLPdmg
@SDLPlive
The DUP. Could literally turn a fluffy puddy cat, lying on a silky-soft pillow, nestling with its sweet kittens into a bitter โdonโt give them-uns anythingโฆโ sickening really. And tiresome.
Gotta love this Executive! Two Ministers on all expenses paid trip to USA telling everyone how fabulous everything is and Health Minister here telling us he has no money to do anything and it will get worse. Sure spin works, right?
@SDLPlive
๐จFuture referendums could require a "supermajority" of votes in favour of constitutional change in order to be recognised, under a new bill put forward by DUP MP Ian Paisley.๐จ
Out engaging with people in Downpatrick today - they are raging at the DUP collapsing government in the midst of a cost of living crisis - theyโre interested in themselves - we are interested in you
#teamSDLP
@SDLPlive
Hereโs a novel idea, why donโt you, Allister, Wilson, Foster et al (and the rest of the 20-odd % they represent) and say NO to harming children, NO to people languishing on waiting lists, NO to wrecking our education system, NO to continuing poverty and restore power sharing. ๐คทโโ๏ธ
CPR and AED training in school could save 250 lives per year here. Please take 2 minutes and complete this survey for my private members bill to make this teaching compulsory in our schools.
@TheBHF
@BHFNI
Folks, all the dummies on the street in Downpatrick (especially the one on the right) know the craic - keep wearing the masks! Letโs get through this pandemic together!
@SDLPlive
๐ฅI stand with our nurses who are voting for industrial action. It is a scandal that we do not have an Executive in place at a time like this ๐คฌ
Join me in solidarity with our nurses and send the message that
#EnoughisEnough
@RCN_NI
@UNISONNI
@AlanStout19
๐ธI call this photo โWaiting for Jeffreyโ
Youโll note the contrast of shadows and highlights and framing of the shotโฆand the face of total frustration and exasperation at our institutions continuing to be felled for absolutely no bloody reason!! ๐คฆโโ๏ธ
#Stormont
I have today submitted the following motion to the Business Office for a future Assembly. Addressing GP indemnity can be addressed quickly, and will help us recruit and retain staff. We can deliver solutions to long standing issues in
#Health
@BMANI_GP
@rcgp_ni
@AlanStout19
I am delighted that today I will introduce my
#CPR
and
#AED
bill to the
@niassembly
. This is a proud moment and goes beyond politics - itโs about
#SavingLives
.
I am SDLP because of the vision that the party has for a new, inclusive Ireland that seeks to improve everyoneโs lives and all our communities. Join us and join in!
#IAmSDLP
@SDLPlive
Our party leader
@columeastwood
telling it as it is on
@bbctheview
. This is about Brexit and people's future.
@SDLPlive
will always have the interests of people first - not sectarian plots or narrow party interest.
Today would have been Johnโs 85th birthday. I got this portrait as a gift at christmas and it hangs on the wall of my study. Seeing it remind me of the values we need to see more of in politics and how many donโt have the right values!
@SDLPlive
Itโs so hard to believe that itโs been two years since Seamus Mallon left us. A pillar of strength, fearlessness and compassion.
#TheDreamShallNeverDie
@SDLPlive
Our nurses are stretched enough - wages and conditions. When we compare nurses average pay across Europe the findings are shocking! Our nurses are priceless, but their wage here does not reflect that.
@SDLPlive
@RCN_NI
#Nurse
#NHS
@doloreskelly
You're the Infrastructure Minister who walked out of government and abandoned people for three years. We now have a Minister fixing the resulting chaos and investing in services. Maybe talk to your colleague to make sure Nichola gets the finance she needs?
@SDLPlive
Once again NIWater are failing residents in Annsborough
#SouthDown
With some residents describing communication as โabysmalโ from
@niwnews
its time for urgent engagement & investment in upgrading the waste water system
โค๏ธCPR & AED Bill Submitted!๐
While others are shamelessly threatening to collapse Stormont, I'm putting it to work. I have submitted my
#CPR
&
#AED
Awareness bill to the Speaker of the
@niassembly
. I want to see a generation of life savers ready to save lives. Do you?
@SDLPlive
๐งต
#Health
staff have been underfunded, undervalued and left exhausted for too long. Solidarity with those who have been left with no option but to consider their future in this sector. โก๏ธ
@TomblackBlack
@AlanStout19
@SDLPlive
In fairness Jonathan Caine spent time with businesses yesterday listening to them - but defending the Secretary of Stateโs fly-by-night behaviour on tv will always result in the irritated, raised Colly eyebrow look!!! ๐
@SDLPlive
@BBCGarethG
Out and about Downpatrick with our Assembly group leader
@MatthewOToole2
visiting local businesses affected by last weeks flooding. The community came together in a massive way, now we need the government support!
@SDLPlive
@BBCGarethG
@NIOgov
@chhcalling
Out the back door of the st Patrickโs centre brings you to our museum, which was once the town prison. Will leave that thought thereโฆ.
Well
@belfastairport
met my expectation as I travelled this morning. Still the worst airport I ever experience. Baggage took 45 mins (with only one flight), bus left 2 minutes early causing a further hour wait but sure the coffee took 20 mins to serve so that killed some time ๐
Fantastic energy and dynamism from SDLP Policy & Consituency staff as we discussed peopleโs priorities developed policy and how we can help. SDLP will always be on peopleโs side.
@SDLPlive
@NicholaMallon
@columeastwood
@ClaireHanna
The actions of Sammy Wilson have been reckless and undermined our health message. Jeffrey Donaldson needs to get his house in order for the good of public health.
#PeopleFirst
Well done to Downpatrick based
@finnebrogue
for their decision to rebrand their chicken as โChicken Kyivsโ and to donate 50% of their profits to the Ukrainian appeal. Local leadership well done!
Important meeting with
@RCN_NI
nursing reps: the voices of nurses must be heard! They work every hour they can, are paying for PPE equipment themselves, are not even afforded a cup of tea, are changing in car parks & stare death in the face every day. We must speak out for them!
Today is Firefighters Memorial Day. Thank you to the heroes in our community who save lives day and daily. Remembering those who have died in service too. The recent fire in the Mournes reminds us of your importance and necessity.
#fmd21
So important that we all get the jab! But imagine how high our rate of vaccination could be were it not for Sammy, Gregory & Ian รg constantly undermining the health message and Health Minister ๐ค
#GetheJab
@SDLPlive
Then Westminster implements it - so do the honourable thing then
@duponline
and have your MPs resign from Westminster - whatโs good for the goose, eh???
Sammy Wilson also said his party cannot currently return to the powersharing institutions at Stormont as it would be legally required to implement the framework
A reminder this
#TransDayofVisibility
that within the New Ireland our movement is building, it is a place of welcome and inclusion, where everyoneโs identity is respected.
#solidarity
๐ณ๏ธโโง๏ธ
We had a motion from the DUP today about hospital waiting lists. Their collapse of government here for the past two years contributed to the lists making them longer! Unbelievable that they brought this motion!!!!
@SDLPlive
Portrait of John Hume being unveiled in Westminister today. We really could do with more of his pragmatic, considered and successful approach to peace and cooperstion here. Currently itโs a mess.
@SDLPlive
Interesting tactic. Deprive her department of money, then blame her for not spending what you donโt give her. Repeatedly.
#SpinFein
.... ๐๐๐
@SDLPlive
We are told our COVID recovery is cross departmental. Why is it only the Health Minister and
@NicholaMallon
participating in a debate on COVID certificates? Where are our joint First Ministers? What a dereliction of leadership.
@SDLPlive
#StandUp
The
@NewIrelandComm
offers a unique opportunity we must seize. We will not deal with the issues Northern Ireland faces if we do not accept that there is a constitutional issue that needs to be addressed. Read my thoughts and let me know yours! Via
@MourneObserver
Apocalyptic scenes this morning in Downpatrick. Businesses are decimated. The water has risen immeasurably within the last hour, and with high tide expected at 2pm, the level of worry and concern is only rising.