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| NI must 'play big role in Europe' | NI must 'play big role in Europe' |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Northern Ireland has lost out in Europe without the SDLP, according to the party's European election candidate. | Northern Ireland has lost out in Europe without the SDLP, according to the party's European election candidate. |
| Alban Maginness was speaking at the launch of his party's campaign in Belfast on Tuesday. | Alban Maginness was speaking at the launch of his party's campaign in Belfast on Tuesday. |
| He said the SDLP had a vision of a nation that needed to be playing a leading role in the new Europe. | He said the SDLP had a vision of a nation that needed to be playing a leading role in the new Europe. |
| "This election is not a sectarian vanity contest. It is about people, their needs and their priorities," he said. | "This election is not a sectarian vanity contest. It is about people, their needs and their priorities," he said. |
| "This election is taking place against the backdrop of a global economic and financial crisis. Times are tough and they will get tougher. | "This election is taking place against the backdrop of a global economic and financial crisis. Times are tough and they will get tougher. |
| "As a member of the Party of European Socialists, the SDLP will be as bold in purpose and imaginative in thought in the European Parliament as we have been in our own assembly." | "As a member of the Party of European Socialists, the SDLP will be as bold in purpose and imaginative in thought in the European Parliament as we have been in our own assembly." |
| List of candidates | |
| He said the party would fight to restore the economic voice of Northern Ireland in Europe and to ensure steps are taken to fight the recession and mass unemployment. | He said the party would fight to restore the economic voice of Northern Ireland in Europe and to ensure steps are taken to fight the recession and mass unemployment. |
| Mr Maginness said: "I believe passionately in the SDLP's vision of a reconciled people living in a united, just and prosperous new Ireland, an inclusive and outward-looking nation that will play a leading role in the new Europe. | Mr Maginness said: "I believe passionately in the SDLP's vision of a reconciled people living in a united, just and prosperous new Ireland, an inclusive and outward-looking nation that will play a leading role in the new Europe. |
| "These are challenging times for us all. But our best days are ahead of us. | "These are challenging times for us all. But our best days are ahead of us. |
| "Northern Ireland needs to be at the heart of Europe again. Only the SDLP can restore your voice in Europe and your faith in government." | "Northern Ireland needs to be at the heart of Europe again. Only the SDLP can restore your voice in Europe and your faith in government." |
| The party has pledged to: | The party has pledged to: |
| • Push a new strong recovery plan with coordinated investment in jobs and green growth. | |
| • Promote a European employment pact to safeguard employment, create jobs, and strengthen workers' rights, conditions and pay. | |
| • Ensure the existence of fundamental social rights - including free collective bargaining and trade union rights. | |
| • Work tirelessly towards reinstating the good relationship that once existed between Europe and the farming industry. | |
| • Bring an end to the practice of allowing inferior imported goods entering the EU food chain without traceability records. | |
| • Stand up for fishermen who are struggling to make a living. |
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