SDLP leader and Foyle MP Colum Eastwood
Reflecting on another challenging year for communities, businesses and public services, the Foyle MP said:
“This has been another incredibly difficult year for people across all of our communities. This terrible pandemic has taken the lives of more of our friends and family and has reduced the life opportunities of so many more.
“I know how difficult the last 12 months have been and how much people have sacrificed over the last two years.
“In spite of the massive challenges we face, I have been inspired by the response of our communities to this virus.
“To everyone who stood in line for hours to get their vaccine, to the thousands of volunteers who stepped forward to help support the vaccination programme and the health service workers pushing themselves and their teams as far as they can to keep people safe – I want to sincerely thank you all for what you have done for us.
“This time last year we were in a very difficult place. The selfless efforts of people across our community have prevented further turmoil and tragedy.
“And while we are now facing a new threat with the Omicron variant, I have every faith that people will rise to the challenge again. Protecting our neighbours, insulating our economy, securing the jobs of friends and family – those must be our clear objectives in the weeks ahead.
“I also recognise that we have another challenge facing us. People across the North of Ireland are facing a massive cost of living crisis.
“The cost of heating your home is through the roof. People already in need of support have seen their universal credit income cut, national insurance contributions are rising.
“For too many families it is becoming too expensive to get by. In spite of the clear warnings that this emergency was not going away, the Ministers responsible have been found wanting.
“Rather than addressing the inequality, the poverty and the need in the society they have created over the last 15 years, we are about to enter an election campaign where all that the First Ministers want to talk about is whose name comes first on the letterheads.
“It is a shocking and insulting abdication of responsibility to those who elect us.
“But it doesn’t have to be that way. The new year can be a new start for people and politics in the North.
“Everyone will be faced with a choice – more of the same from people who have shown us that they are only interested in themselves.
“Or we can choose change with leaders who are talking about reducing energy bills, creating new university places so that our young people can make a life for themselves here and putting an end to the politics of fear and division for good.
“This year has been difficult for us all. But we have a real opportunity to choose meaningful and lasting change in the New Year,” added the SDLP leader.
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