Celebrating the Flags and our shared future: my view This summer has seen the Arts and our annual rash of flags erected on lampposts throughout South greatest poet Belfast, causing particular Claire Hanna has spoken of her pride at concern in well integrated areas like proposing Belfast poet Michael Longley for the Ormeau, Finaghy and Freedom of Belfast. Claire said “It was Carryduff. Commenting on the genuinely an honour to nominate at council latest incidences of illegal flagging last March and then help to present Michael Claire Hanna MLA said “This is a Longley with the highest award the city can source of major frustration for me, give, which recognises the enormous impact other residents and businesses he has made to arts and culture in Belfast. Pictured: Claire Hanna with SDLP Lord Mayor across South Belfast. Over the past 40 years only 4 individuals have Nichola Mallon, Michael Longley and received the Freedom of the City but it is right President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins. “People of all religious backgrounds and none choose to live in South Belfast and long may this that we recognise greatness living in our midst continue. I accept that flags are an important part of identity for some people and I respect their right and the exceptional contribution Michael Longley has made through his poetry, in his service at the to fly a legal flag outside their home. They have no right, however, to fly flags on public furniture, Arts Council and indeed to meaningful reconciliation here. It is testimony to his achievements that the especially in harmonious, shared neighbourhoods. It is, at best insensitive territory marking and President of Ireland delivered the address at this celebration, exploring Michael Longley’s interpreted by many as coat trailing and intimidation and it is unfair that whole neighbourhoods are extraordinarily diverse range of poetic subjects. I’m proud that from my proposal Council has taken this held to ransom by a few people obsessed with symbols and heightening tension. This summer has step to honour one of Ireland’s finest artists. seen Nazi, Confederate and various paramilitary flags flying on our streets. As well as the fact that flags are left to dissolve in rags, this makes it clear that this practice is not about showing their respectful Defending public services British identity, but about making everyone else feel uncomfortable” “Understandably, residents have been looking to the PSNI to remove the flags, particularly when they appeared to indicate that erecting them would constitute a bread of the police. I feel that this is and South Belfast’s Libraries. ultimately a political problem and, as in the cases of bonfires, marching and related disorder, we can’t Two local libraries are among a small number across the whole of Northern Ireland which will see an just police our way out of political failure. We need a consistent and fair approach and application of increase in their opening hours. Claire Hanna, who served of the board of Libraries NI during her time the law, and ultimately we need political leadership and an updated Flags Protocol from the NI as a councillor, welcomed the hourly increase for Finaghy and Carryduff libraries, and the protection of Executive, as well as a coherent strategy on tackling sectarianism. Until we address community Newtownbreda and Lisburn Road libraries. She said “Finaghy in particular is one of the best used relations, our economy and our people aren’t going to thrive and we aren’t going to properly solve the libraries in NI and I was glad the board agreed to up the opening hours to reflect this. Carryduff saw real issues we were elected to address. The Stormont Executive has failed to deliver this or any the greatest increase in NI, from 18 to 25 after we successfully made the case that this was the best way meaningful direction on how we are going to share this region, and I will be pushing for long overdue to get value from the recent investment there. Regrettably, Ormeau library will drop one hour down to legislation on behalf of the vast majority of us who want to get on with our lives and our neighbours”. 45 per week but a local consultation will be carried out to ensure there is as little disruption as possible to regular users. Libraries truly are one of the most important assets we have; vital shared civic spaces for learning and enjoyment which have continuously adapted to become genuine community hubs used by people at all ages and stages of life in South Belfast. Donal Lyons selected as Balmoral Councillor SDLP Members have selected Donal Lyons as Councillor for Balmoral to replace Claire Hanna, who resigned from Belfast City Council Thinking globally, acting locally to take up her new role in the Assembly. Donal is 32, a Dublin native and a UCD – Belfast supports Tax Justice Science graduate who has lived in South Claire Hanna has welcomed changes to Belfast City Council’s procurement policies that aim to address Belfast since 2006. Donal was previously aggressive tax avoidance, further to her motion at May’s Belfast City Council meeting. Claire said “I employed by the Labour Party and proposed these changes in support of campaigning efforts by Christian Aid to shine a light on Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore and has worked aggressive tax avoidance, which deprives our own and overseas governments with vital revenue that is in the field of public policy and as an SDLP needed to support public services like health and education. My proposal, which requires all activist since moving to Belfast. He is married companies bidding for Council contracts over £175,000 to declare if they have been investigated for with two young children and looks forward to tax avoidance, also helps to level the playing field for local business, who can’t possibly hope to continuing the SDLP’s strong record of local compete with big businesses which don’t pay their fair share of tax. While it won’t solve tax dodging delivery on constituency issues in Balmoral overnight, this changes means that local ratepayers’ money does not go to multi-national companies and campaigning on social justice matters. who are refusing to pay their fair share of tax here and in the world’s poorest countries.” Claire Hanna MLA for South Belfast Dear Constituent, I was selected this summer by the South Belfast members of the SDLP to co-opt into the seat vacated by Dr Alasdair McDonnell MP after his successful re-election to Westminster in May and I want to take this opportunity to introduce myself to you and outline my views and the constituency service available As well as driving policy change and legislation, your SDLP representatives are here to help ensure you from my office. get the best out of public services. If I can help you with local service or to liaise with agencies (like Council, NI Water, Roads Service, PSNI etc), please contact me at any time by telephone, email, I’ve lived, studied and worked in South Belfast since the age of 4 and live in the area with my husband Twitter or by post. I’m happy to take on a wide range of cases and can arrange to meet with you if and 2 children. I was elected to represent the Balmoral DEA in 2011 and again in 2014. During my four you’d like to discuss an issue in person. years on Council I focused on issues around social and economic justice and was pleased to be able to campaign and introduce new policies on things like a living wage, family friendly policies, health, education and the arts. My political priorities at the Assembly will remain the promotion of a shared, Your South Belfast Team fair and prosperous South Belfast, and specifically the policies below: Protecting the diversity and inclusivity of South Belfast - never using words that inflame, incite ...........or divide. I’m confident in my identity and respect the history and aspirations of others. I’ll campaign against the balkanisation of our community and neighbourhoods. Social Justice - More equal societies do better. Social democracy protects the most vulnerable, supports public services and rewards enterprise and work. Initiatives like fairer pay and affordable childcare will increase equality of opportunity and social cohesion. A healthy and educated population is our greatest asset; from early years, to resolving the mess around transfer, through to third level, I will fight for first class, inclusive educational facilities in South Belfast, and a public, efficient National Health Service that focuses on prevention rather than cure. Alasdair McDonnell MP Fearghal McKinney MLA Claire Hanna MLA [email protected] Fearghal.McKinney Claire.Hanna Supporting arts and culture. Creative cities thrive, and the arts in Belfast provide more genuine shared space and 028 9024 2474 @mla.niassembly.gov.uk @mla.niassembly.gov.uk integration than local government could hope to create, 02890 614193 02890520369 as well as giving enjoyment and meaning to all our lives. Political reform and renewal. Democracies need functioning, pluralist political parties. I am proud of the Social Democratic and Labour Party’s history and values, and passionate about its future. We want to engage more people and restore confidence in the democratic process and politics which has not been working effectivly for years. Cllr. Declan Cllr. John Cllr. Brian Cllr. Donal Cllr. Kate Boyle Gallen Hanvey Lyons Mullan I look forward to working for you and please don’t hesitate to Botanic Castlereagh South Castlereagh South Balmoral Lisnasharragh contact me with any queries or feedback. 07769298311 07856 059196 07778 905 699 078 4677 0144 07852 150 167 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected].