Former nursing body chief to make Assembly bid
Current Sinn Féin Fermanagh MLA Pat Cullen is to run to become an MLA for South Belfast next year.
A former nursing body chief turned MP is set to make a bid to become a Stormont Assembly member.
Pat Cullen led the Royal College of Nursing union until May 2024 when she stepped down for a political career, and went on to be elected for Sinn Féin as Fermanagh and South Tyrone MP.
Sinn Féin has announced that Ms Cullen and its sitting South Belfast MLA Deirdre Hargey will both run in the new constituency of South Belfast and Mid Down in next year’s Assembly election.
Sinn Féin vice president Michelle O’Neill hailed an “opportunity to make history”.
“Next May, we have the opportunity to make history by electing two Sinn Féin MLAs in the new constituency of South Belfast and Mid Down,” she said.
“Deirdre Hargey and Pat Cullen are two outstanding candidates for Sinn Féin.
“They know what it takes to lead and to get things done.
“They are a formidable team, and they will bring their strong leadership, their experience and their determination to South Belfast and Mid Down.
“Sinn Féin has grown hugely in this constituency and now Sinn Féin can win two seats in South Belfast and Mid Down.
“We are ambitious, we are confident, and we are moving forward in this constituency.
“We can send a clear message in the next election that attempts by unionist leaders to bring us back to the past and block progress will not succeed.
“Together, we can seize the opportunity to elect the strongest Sinn Féin team yet to the Assembly.”
Ms Cullen said: “I have spent my life standing up for our health service and the people who work in it, first as a nurse, then as the leader of the Royal College of Nursing, working every day for a better health service for all our people.
“I know what it takes to lead, to stand up for people and to get things done.
“Together, let’s make history. Let’s make it two Sinn Féin MLAs in this constituency.”
Ms Hargey said she was honoured to be selected again for run for election.
“In the last election, Sinn Féin secured a record vote in this area. We now have the opportunity to build on that support and elect two Sinn Féin MLAs for South Belfast and Mid Down,” she said.