General Election heating up as more candidates announce bids to become Foyle MP

Three more candidates have entered the race to become the Foyle MP.

Voters in Derry will take to the polls on July 4, following the Prime Minister shock decision to call a snap election.

Foyle MLA Gary Middleton has been selected to run for the DUP. 

Former Derry and Strabane District councillor Rachael Ferguson is running for the Alliance Party.

Current Derry and Strabane District councillor Shaun Harkin has been given the nod to run for People Before Profit.

Cllr Harkin said: "People Before Profit members in Derry have chosen me as the party candidate. I thank them for their endorsement and support. 

"This election is a chance to finally rid ourselves of the Tories. Here in the North it's an opportunity for people to register their opposition to parties who've implemented Tory policies over many years. 

"The economic misery handed down by the Stormont Executive needs to be challenged. 

"I am standing as a proud lifelong advocate for Palestine. The mass movement to stop the Gaza genocide inspires me everyday. I'm proud that People Before Profit are at the heart of it. 

"The actions of Irish politicians in fawning over Genocide Joe Biden have caused revulsion and deep hurt amongst those who campaign for justice for the Palestinian cause. 

"If elected I will fight day and night to stop the genocide and hold the British government, the US, EU and apartheid Israel to account for their actions."

He added: "People across the North are struggling more than ever due to failure of Westminster and Stormont. 

"Now more than ever we need socialist voices challenging the establishment and fighting for the redistribution of wealth. 

"If as the polls suggest there will be a Labour Party victory we can celebrate the demise of the Tories but we will need socialists elected to hold Starmer to account. 

"If elected I will challenge Starmer's anti-working class embrace of capitalism and fight for socialist politics. 

"Our Foyle constituency and council area has been dominated by the SDLP and Sinn Féin for as long as most people can remember but they have delivered very little for this city and district. 

"In terms of poverty and deprivation this constituency is one of the worst on these Islands. 

"This needs to change. I will be a fighter for every person in Foyle.

"I will fight for well paid, unionised jobs, for social and affordable housing and for an end to the privatisation of the NHS. 

"Every vote for PBP is a demand for the Legacy Act to be scrapped, the two-child policy to be binned and for a 32 county socialist Ireland.

"We will challenge the toxic politics of division and scapegoating employed by government ministers deflecting from the damage they have inflicted on ordinary people."

Also on the ballot for July is sitting MP Colum Eastwood, Sinn Féin's Sandra Duffy and the UUP's Janice Montgomery.