The SDLP today launched their 2007 Party Manifesto. It is now available to view online at:
http://www.sdlp.ie/docs/SDLP_Manifesto_2007.pdf

SDLP Youth Colleges Officer Peter Armstrong attended the launch. He said:
”The SDLP manifesto sets an agenda for achieving a better Ireland for our young people. It represents more employment and enterprise, affordable housing, and improving public transport and infrastructure. The SDLP can provide better government – delivering on healthcare, childcare and equality.”

“The SDLP manifesto contains many reasons why young people need to get out and vote this March 7th. A vote for the SDLP is a vote to end the political deadlock of SF/DUP politics; politics that will never agree and can never work together.

“An SDLP agenda includes opposing water charges – a double tax that we already pay for in our rates. Opposing the increase in regional rates, stopping water privatisation and the police tax that direct mis-rule ministers have lined up.

“We want to see increased cross-border trading, better deals for our farmers, for the self-employed, for rural education, agus an Acht Ghaeilge atá cuimsitheach.”

“More police away from desk jobs and onto the streets, safer communities, a Bill of Rights and more provisions for community groups and youth clubs. It’s guaranteed – when the SDLP is strong, progress always gets made. Vote for the better future that we all deserve – and let the SDLP make change happen. I urge young voters to vote SDLP on Wednesday 7th March.”

SDLP Youth Belfast Representative Peter Armstrong has called for an increase in the number of intensive care beds for babies in local hospitals. He said:

“It is not the first time a young baby has had to be airlifted to Britain because NI lacks the proper neo-natal equipment. This is extremely distressing for the parents; it is a crisis that needs to be addressed to ensure it does not happen again. Direct rule minister Paul Goggins needs to fully investigate this and ensure the Department of Health make necessary changes.

“The Department of Health have claimed that neo-natal care provision is adequate – if this is ‘adequate’ then they need to explain what has went wrong in this instance or withdraw their statement. It’s time we got rid of unaccountable direct rule ministers - make real progress by voting SDLP on March 7th and getting locally accountable politicians back in power.”

The SDLP’s party election broadcast can be seen online here:
http://www.sdlp.ie/campaign_video.html.

It’s also on YouTube at:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=e2bIy8_Lq_A

The SDLP campaign bus has also been travelling around the north. Pictures of it, youth members out canvassing and more are online at:
http://www.sdlpyouth.com/gallery/

Also, sdlp.ie has been re-designed and looks almost as good as the SDLP Youth website.

This morning SDLP Youth members joined Assembly Election candidates Alban Maginness, Marietta Farrell, and Carmel Hanna handing out valentines cards to members of the public in Belfast City Centre outlining the need to ‘kiss direct rule goodbye’. Speaking afterwards Colleges Officer Peter Armstrong said:

“While Sinn Fein and the DUP argue and fight over power, taxes such as the water charges and rates are being brought in over our heads. Education is suffering and schools are closing almost every week. While these parties are busy telling us what they’ve gained the SDLP have been listening to what people have lost. We have been listening to what people want and our program for government can deliver.

“The other parties claim to deliver but they just work for themselves. How can Sinn Fein and the DUP ever offer a stable partnership in government, when they don’t work together at any other level? The SDLP can bring stability and deliver on the issues that matter, I urge people to vote for real progress, vote SDLP March 7th”