Michelle Gildernew to run in EU election

THE Ulster Herald understands that Fermanagh and South Tyrone MP Michelle Gildernew will stand for election to the European Parliament.

It’s expected that the Sinn Féin politician from Dungannon will seek a nomination to contest the Midlands/North West European Parliament constituency in this year’s European election.

Sinn Féin’s foreign affairs spokesperson Matt Carthy confirmed the news on social media.

“Big news this morning as Michelle Gildernew announces that she will be seeking the nomination to be a SF candidate for MNW in June’s EU elections.”

In order to contest a seat in the European Parliament election, it’s likely that Ms Gildernew will have to stand down as MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone.

Speaking following the announcement Michelle Gildernew said, “The European Union is crucially important to Ireland.  Ireland needs to be the fore in setting the direction of the European Union in the years ahead and I want to play a role in making that happen by bringing my experience of negotiation and dealing with EU institutions as a former Agriculture Minister to the job of standing up for Irish interests in the European Parliament.    

 “The European Union played a key role in ensuring Brexit did not create a hard border in Ireland and I believe the North’s future must be within the European Union, as part of a United Ireland.”