McKinney: why I want to become an MP

Denzil McDaniel • Published 11 Mar 2010 11:50 Comments 1 Comment

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Former Enniskillen journalist Fearghal McKinney says he is "excited" by the prospect of fighting the forthcoming Fermanagh-south Tyrone seat for the SDLP.

After much speculation, it was revealed officially yesterday in Belfast that Mr. McKinney is seeking the SDLP nomination for the constituency at the May General Election.

Former candidate, Tommy Gallagher has agreed to stand aside, and at the unveiling yesterday, Mr. McKinney said he would be working hard on the doorsteps during the election campaign and he wants to become an MP to provide the middle ground with a voice at Westminster.

While he is still to go through a party selection process, the fact that he was flanked by new party leader, Margaret Ritchie as well as Assembly member, Mr. Gallagher means that Mr. McKinney is virtually guaranteed to be the SDLP runner.

His candidacy guarantees a fascinating battle in Fermanagh-south Tyrone.

At this point, there are four candidates: the Sinn Fein sitting MP, Michelle Gildernew has been selected by her party, while Arlene Foster (DUP) and Ulster Unionist, Tom Elliott are already in the field. Now, there is McKinney.

Until a few weeks ago, it seemed to be almost a foregone conclusion that Sinn Fein would win the seat.

But it has emerged that very serious efforts are being made on the Unionist side to get an agreed united candidate.

While the two parties had virtually agreed on former PSNI Chief Superintendent Norman Baxter, it seems he pulled back from it.

But the talking continues, and indeed may well be given fresh impetus by the development of Fearghal McKinney entering the fray.

In fact, even in a four-horse race, the new SDLP nominee entry means a real contest.

In fact, within hours of the announcement, Sinn Fein were hitting back at Mr. McKinney, with Michelle Gildernew saying a "celebrity" could not win Fermanagh-south Tyrone.

Ms Gildernew said: "East Belfast based Fearghal McKinney's decision to stand for the SDLP in Fermanagh and South Tyrone has been something of an open secret for sometime despite his recent denials.

"However the reality is that the only party on the nationalist side who can win this seat is Sinn Féin. It seems that today's announcement is more about a promise that Fearghal McKinney will get a free run in the next Assembly elections in place of local MLA Tommy Gallagher.

"We are looking forward to the election with confidence that the nationalist and republican seat in Fermanagh and South Tyrone will be retained, and retained by Sinn Féin."

Mr. McKinney is best known as a former UTV presenter. He was brought up in Enniskillen, son of former Kent Plastics owner, Denis McKinney and his wife, Bridie.

Fearghal is a former pupil of St. Michael's College in Enniskillen. He began his journalism career in the Impartial Reporter in the 1980s and worked in the newspaper for five years before moving on to Downtown Radio and then UTV.

He left the station a year ago to work for fermanagh.tv.

Fearghal, who is 47 and married, has three daughters, lives in Belfast but retains links with his home town.

Speculation is that Mr McKinney will raise the party's profile and vote in the area and come the next Assembly election, he will replace 67-year-old Tommy Gallagher as the Fermanagh-south Tyrone MLA.

Yesterday, however, Mr. Gallagher shared centre stage with Mr. McKinney.

Mr McKinney said: "This is a new era for politics and a new era for the SDLP. This country needs a strong SDLP and the people of the North need strong representation at Westminster."

In an interview with the Impartial Reporter after the official launch, Mr. McKinney said he was encouraged by the many text messages of support and encouragement he had received.

And he revealed that he is considering moving back to Fermanagh with his family as a "commitment to the project", speaking about giving the middle ground a voice.

"It should not be about the two power blocks. The middle ground needs a strong voice and needs representation at Westminster," he said. "The economy in Fermanagh-south Tyrone is not going to get anything by default, particularly in a situation where there is the possibility of a hung parliament. The area needs someone to think imaginatively and articulate its case. By local politicians working together we can focus on issues. People are without jobs, without money for mortgages and are under pressure," he said.

Mr. McKinney conceded that it was a major job to get people out to vote, but added: "I'm in it to win it."

He said: "This election will be won and lost on the doorsteps and I am keen to build on the good work of Tommy Gallagher and others in the weeks and months ahead. I know I have a fight ahead of me to win the seat but I am looking forward to the challenge."

Ms Ritchie said: "When I became leader I promised to bring through a new generation of SDLP representatives. The SDLP are offering people a new agenda and with addition of Fearghal we are offering people a new politician with an exciting future."

Mr Gallagher said: "Today is a proud day for the SDLP and the people of Fermanagh South Tyrone to be able to attract a prospective candidate of the calibre of Fearghal McKinney. I have known Fearghal for a long time as a hard-working journalist and I have no doubt he will be hard working candidate.

"Fearghal was raised in Enniskillen and is well-known in his local community. He knows the task ahead and will have my full backing and support," said Mr. Gallagher.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 11 Mar 10

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john murphy
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Apr 7, 10:30
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Why are we being asked in a local newspaper to vote on the Obama Health Care debate; is this another sinister ploy to use the outcome as a kind of surrogate census which could or will be used to reform our own N.Ireland Health Service?

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