05/12/2011

Mourne Cllr Takes Over Ritchie's MLA Role

An SDLP councillor has been selected by party members to replace South Down MP Margaret Ritchie in the Assembly.

Ms Ritchie stepped down in September as Assembly member for South Down and as party leader to concentrate on her role as an MP.

Mournes Cllr, Sean Rogers is a father of five children. He is a former principal of St Louis Grammar School in Kilkeel and is a long-serving community worker in his local parish and GAA club.

Speaking following his successful selection in the Burrendale Hotel, Newcastle, incoming SDLP South Down MLA Sean Rogers said: "I am honoured to have been selected to represent the people of South Down in the Assembly and would like to pay tribute to our MP Margaret Ritchie who will continue to do an excellent job in standing up for our people, here and in Westminster.

"I'm a bridge builder - I bring people with me and as an MLA for South Down I intend, with my Assembly colleague Karen McKevitt and SDLP councillors, to pursue the interests of people in every corner of our constituency," he added.

"I will do everything in my power to help build a vibrant rural economy, to help tackle the problems facing farmers and fishermen in our communities, and to create jobs for people here," he added.

"I would like to thank people for their support and I look forward to taking my skills gained through years of experience of working in and for the community to Stormont."

(BMcC/GK)

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