Social Democratic and Labour Party 25/04/2014 Party Election Broadcasts for the European Parliament

These are no ordinary elections.

We have the choice to move forward decisively and vote for hope,

ambition and change for the better.

The SDLP is strongly pro-Europe.

We oppose leaving the European Union -

it would see our people, businesses and farmers lose out.

Northern Ireland has lost ground in Brussels.

We need strength again in Europe

with an MEP in the biggest group in the European Parliament,

with the impact and influence that would bring.

We need hope again at home. People feel let down.

Government has failed them. I hear this everywhere.

As a lead negotiator on Patten and policing, on Haass,

and as a government minister, being tough, decisive

and getting things done is how I judge yourself.

That is what is clearly needed at home and in Europe.

My values are from my mum and dad

who taught their five children their responsibility to others.

Michael Collins, Hume, Mallon, Rodgers and Robert Kennedy

helped shape me further.

Now, Orla and I try to instil values in our girls for an equal,

shared and just future.

The SDLP believe in a deep accommodation between Unionism

and Nationalism. We stand with working families and people in need.

We reject the favouritism

and elitism evident around government and other parties.

We seek national reconciliation, based on telling the truth

of the past and we cherish all of our people,

born or living here, equally.

Farming families are our biggest industry,

yet the opportunities of agri-food are not yet fully grasped.

Alex Attwood will give us strength again in Europe

and the SDLP will be stronger at home.

There is stagnation in our politics. Other parties created it

and the SDLP can change it, in our new councils and in Europe.

These are no ordinary elections. Let there be no ordinary outcomes.

Together we can vote and can shape a politics that is bold

and hopeful and decisive in the North and in Europe.

Neart aris san Eoraip.

Strength again in Europe.

Vote Attwood.

Votail SDLP.