The Social Democratic and Labour Party: 07/04/2016 Party Election Broadcasts: Social Democratic and Labour Party

I believe that we have it in our power to change society.

To create wealth which benefits us all, supporting job creation

and ending forced emigration,

and to make sure

Northern Ireland takes its rightful place on this island and in Europe.

Throughout my life, I've always fought for progress

as a member of the SDLP.

I joined the party when we were delivering

a real revolution in Irish politics -

one which ended conflict and built peace.

The hope of that era was astounding.

Across the North, there was

a real sense that we had the world at our feet, that we could build

a society which matched the work ethic and spirit

of all who lived here.

Where respect was guaranteed for all, regardless of religion or race,

and where opportunity was more about what you did

and how well you did it, not about where you came from.

'But it hasn't worked out.

'It wasn't meant to be like this.

'Today, we have a failing government

'which cuts investment in third level education

'while spending hundreds of millions of pounds

'slashing civil servant jobs.

'A failing government which does nothing to support the thousands

'of young workers who go abroad each and every year to find work.'

A failing government which hands tough decisions on welfare payments

to the meanest group of Tory politicians ever to govern.

I got into politics to stop failure and to build a better future.

That's why I ran for election aged 22.

That's why I worked hard to make Derry the City of Culture,

as its youngest ever mayor.

Join us and build a better future.

Where the first thing every newborn will receive

is an investment in his or her future

and where working parents are supported with more free childcare.

A future where learning is a right

and not the preserve of a privileged few.

Our young workers are our greatest asset.

An investment in you

is an investment in our opportunity to compete globally.

Under new SDLP leadership, our young people

will no longer be raised for export.

APPLAUSE AND CHEERING

Too many communities inside and outside Belfast have been abandoned.

Spending must be targeted where it's most needed for the people.

We will ensure that the next government now faces up to

the needs of you, your family and your community.

And it's not just a new generation that's been frustrated by failure.

Crime against older people keeps increasing.

We've introduced mandatory prison sentences

for those who target the elderly.

If they pick on older people, they'll pay the price.

But our biggest fight is defending our place within the European Union,

with the free trade,

the diversity and the support it has given to peace.

Don't let the alliance of the eccentrics

and the extremists force us to leave Europe.

And to those who have come here

and made their homes here from Poland, Slovakia, Lithuania, Latvia

and across the European Union, I say to you tonight,

we won't let your families be divided.

We won't allow new borders on this island or in Europe.

We, the Social Democratic and Labour Party, we've got your back.

APPLAUSE AND CHEERING

And that's just the start.

Join us and build a better future.

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