A CLONARD man who will stand for the SDLP in the next year's Assembly and Council elections believes there is an opportunity for the party once again in West Belfast.
Gerard McDonald (33) grew up and still lives in West Belfast and has been a member of the SDLP since his youth. He currently works as an advisor and case worker to South Belfast & Mid-Down MP Claire Hanna, who is also party leader.
Gerard has been selected to stand for the SDLP in the Assembly election, with the party hoping to win a seat in West Belfast for the first time since 2016 when Alex Attwood was returned. He is also the party's candidate in Colin DEA in the Belfast City Council election, which will be held on the same day.
He narrowly missed out on a Council seat to People Before Profit in 2023.
The SDLP currently have no West Belfast councillors following the resignation of Paul Doherty from the party earlier this year. Back in 2023 he won a seat in the Black Mountain DEA.
Speaking to the Andersonstown News, Gerard said that he believes politics is not working in tackling issues that people really care about.
"After Paul Doherty left the SDLP earlier this year a void was left and I am delighted to be nominated by the party as the West Belfast Assembly seat candidate," he said.
"It is going to be difficult. There are five seats in total. People expect Sinn Féin to get three, possibly four again with People Before Profit, SDLP and DUP – following the boundary changes – all within a chance of the final seat.
"I am also the SDLP candidate for Colin DEA. I ran in Colin in 2023 and missed out by 200 votes. I believe that gap can be closed this time around.
"I have grown up and still live in the area. I am aware of all the issues, including deprivation, public transport, school places, but the biggest issue is housing with long waiting lists. There has been complete inaction from Stormont on dealing with the housing crisis here.
"It is my view that Stormont has run out of ideas in terms of fixing the problems on the ground.
"Being in the opposition, we have shone the light on where delivery just hasn’t happened.
"There has been nothing on tackling the housing crisis, waste-water infrastructure is exactly the same as it was when the Assembly was restored, social security has not changed, no increase in school places – these are the issues that people care about."
Gerard is aware of the SDLP's decline in West Belfast over the last 20 years but he sees next year's elections as an "opportunity" for the party.
"I see West Belfast as an opportunity for the SDLP. With Claire’s leadership there is a better feeling within the party coming into next year’s elections.
"The SDLP brand looks and sounds different. There is much more enthusiasm with the party.
"It is a new election and I don’t think any political party should take any vote for granted.
"We have a chance to bring something new and something fresh to West Belfast and I have the chance to do that. I am 33 years of age which is still the younger side of politicians here and I will be coming at it from a different position.
"I am asking people to consider us again. Have a look at our elected representatives and ask yourself, have they done enough? Have they delivered?
"A lot depends on the hard work and our campaign in West Belfast from now until next May."
