John Coyle John Coyle, who will turn 30 on Sunday, lives in Mulleek, just outside Belleek with his parents James and Bridie. He has two brothers and a sister and family is “very important” to him. He first entered politics in May 2014, when he was elected to Fermanagh and Omagh District Council. Q. Which party would you back in a coalition situation, Labour or Conservative, and why? I, along with my party colleagues want to support a Labour government following this election, provided they work together with us to deliver a number of our key policy aims, including the introduction of the 50p tax rate, the lowering of Tourism VAT in the North, a stance against a referendum on the EU and a commitment to a prosperity process for Northern Ireland. The SDLP will never support a Tory government, a government that would continue to unload untold hurt on the people of Northern Ireland through their austerity agenda. Q. If elected, what specific actions would you take to improve wages, health services and the economy in Fermanagh South Tyrone? The SDLP has introduced the living wage in Mid Ulster and Belfast City Councils and will work to see it adopted across Northern Ireland. We will press the Labour party to end exploitative zero hour contracts. We need to see the South West Acute Hospital used to its full potential. I would prioritise addressing the long lists of people waiting to see occupational therapists, keeping patients out of GP surgeries and emergency rooms and would make improving preventative and recovery care a priority. I will oppose fracking because it is not proven to be safe, it could damage our environment and any real wealth generated from fracking is more than likely to be exported out of our local economy. It was SDLP Environment Minister Mark H. Durkan who effectively ended fracking in Fermanagh South Tyrone. By growing our tourism sector we can deliver sustainable and profitable job opportunities. There needs to be a sub-regional tourism strategy recognising Fermanagh South Tyrone as the Lake District of Ireland. I want to see the Ulster Canal reopened, linking us to a regional grid of canal and water sport tourism. The SDLP wants to cut Tourism VAT from 20 per cent to 5 per cent to give us a competitive edge, particularly in the current climate with the value of the euro dropping. Q. How would you alleviate the impact of welfare reform on Fermanagh South Tyrone where there are 9,500 DLA claimants? The SDLP is the only NI party that has worked to alleviate the worst effects of welfare reform both in the Assembly and in Westminster. In the Assembly we submitted 22 amendments to the Welfare Reform Bill which included aims to provide flexibility for those with mental health issues and the victims of hate crime. We also submitted a petition of concern to block the bedroom tax but were voted down by both the DUP and Sinn Féin. In Westminster we voted against the devastating welfare reform introduced by the Tories including the Bedroom Tax and Welfare Cap, the latter of which was supported by the Labour party. We will continue to vote against these policies that target the most vulnerable in our society even if it is against a Labour government that relies on our support. Q. What is your message to the 30 per cent of locals who did not cast their vote in the last Westminster election; how can you inspire them?

Voter apathy in this constituency is rife particularly amongst young people. Attempts to forge sectarian pacts on the part of DUP, UUP and Sinn Féin have done nothing to counter this. As a young candidate I intend to stand as a real alternative to the Orange and Green politics played by the other parties in this and other constituencies across Northern Ireland. It is in the interest of the larger parties to keep our community divided and polarised as they peddle the rhetoric of the past. I want to represent everyone in this constituency and I want to give a voice to this constituency which has been sorely lacking a representation in Westminster for over a decade. Q. How do you think St. Angelo Airport could be better used to Fermanagh and South Tyrone’s advantage? Is this something you will focus on if elected? I would seek that our airport replicates the success of the vibrant Donegal airport where commercial flights bring in people from Dublin and Glasgow. It takes us two hours to drive to Belfast. An airport here would service people not just from Fermanagh and South Tyrone but Leitrim and Cavan too. Such development would form part of my goal to see Fermanagh South Tyrone as a new tourist hub in Ireland. Q. If elected how will you protect Northern Ireland’s CAP reform from a ‘rebalance’ with Scotland?

I believe that the farmers in Northern Ireland need the level of CAP funding that Northern Ireland currently receives protected to help them to invest and achieve the goals as set out in Going for Growth 2020. CAP funding is very important to Northern Ireland farming and to the rural community. I will protect Northern Ireland’s CAP reform by working with my party colleague Margaret Ritchie on the EFRA committee who has worked hard to defend the right of fishermen and farmers here and fighting against the UK exiting the European Union. It would be an economic disaster if Britain left the EU, and this would be felt most in rural areas such as Fermanagh South Tyrone, through the loss of CAP funding. Northern Ireland achieves so much from its membership with the EU, and the sustainability of Northern Ireland agriculture is dependent on continuing membership of the EU. Q. Where do you stand on the Portora/Collegiate debate in Fermanagh? Both Portora Royal School and the Collegiate have proven track records and a distinguished history. I believe that parental choice is the cornerstone of an effective education system and that the decision to amalgamate the two schools means less parental choice. The Department of Education should be taking into account the concerns and views of all the parents and pupils involved in the proposed amalgamation. The 7,000 signatures which were gathered during a petition against the plans speaks volume about the opinion of the local community. We need to have an education strategy which benefits all of the pupils in Enniskillen. Q. The elderly appear to be severely disadvantaged in drastic savings measures the Western Trust has to make. What are your plans to help this particular section of our population?

Home care workers are effectively making less than minimum wage given that their travel expenses are not compensated. How can we expect more people to choose a career in home care and deliver effective preventative care under these conditions? The provision of effective home care is a vital step in alleviating pressures on our GP surgeries and Emergency rooms. Savings in the health service does not have to mean cuts and the SDLP have voted consistently against cuts to our frontline health services. Making health provision more efficient will both save money and provide better care for older people and the general population. The SDLP will also work in Westminster to improve the quality of life of older people by calling for the inclusion of NI in the Warm Homes Discount scheme, fighting to increase the winter fuel payment to £500 and campaigning to restore the earnings link for the state pension. Q. Where do you stand on plans to close Enniskillen’s Courthouse? It is unacceptable that Minister Ford has targeted rural communities in this way. The closure of Enniskillen’s courthouse will leave Fermanagh as the only county in Northern Ireland without a courthouse leaving people of our constituency no choice but to travel as far as Omagh and Craigavon for legal representation. A potential closure coupled with the Minister’s plan to reduce legal aid can only be described as an attempt to hamper our access to avenues of justice. Q. What’s been your most embarrassing moment to date?

I don’t really embarrass easily so I have a short memory in this regard. Although last week I was out canvassing and sat on a wall for a bit of a breather in the hot weather. Next thing I know I was on my back in the grass on the other side. My canvassing team thought it was pretty funny. Q. If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items could you not live without? Besides my toothbrush and the essential supply of chocolate, I couldn’t be without my sheepdog Misty and the many fowl under my care. Q. Describe a moment in your life that has defined you. Being elected by the people of Erne North to represent them on the new council was a real honour and a privilege. Q. What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses?

I’m a hardworking, caring person with my ear to the ground on the issues that matter most to local people but that can also be my weakness. I enjoy being of service to others and can find it difficult to say no when asked a favour. Finally: Why should anyone vote for you? I am a young energetic candidate ready to represent the issues that matter to you in Westminster. I want to move away from stale sectarian politics and engage in real politics that will affect people on the ground. I want investment in infrastructure. I will support our farmers and will be a strong voice against leaving the EU.