WITH parties and individuals now jockeying for political position as Northern Ireland prepares to hold Assembly elections soon, there’s a lot to consider for an electorate keen to have their voices heard, but perhaps a little uncertain of where the would-be MLAs stand on a range of issues.

And so, over the coming weeks – starting today – we’ll be looking at the Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA candidates running in our area, who were happy to talk to The Impartial Reporter’s Ciarán Flaherty, Jessica Campbell and Victoria Johnston about where they stand on several issues.

Whether on topics such as the current cost of living and energy crises, to the Northern Ireland Protocol, to ongoing health and education issues and other topics, the candidates across the political board have shared where they stand, and what their vision is for Northern Ireland and our area.

Featuring the Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA candidates in no particular order, The Impartial Reporter asked each of them the following questions which arguably matter most, answered opposite, with the other candidates’ answers following in coming weeks.

Finally, no matter where you stand on these issues, and regardless of who you would like to support at the ballot box, please do cast your precious vote when the opportunity arises, and help to make sure that your voice is heard.

Question 1:

Tell voters a bit about yourself – why are you in politics/how long for?

Question 2:

From speaking to people in the constituency, what issues are affecting the people of Fermanagh and South Tyrone?

Question 3:

What will be the main issues you will be working on, if elected?

Question 4:

How can Stormont work best for the people of Fermanagh and South Tyrone?

Question 5:

What will you bring as an MLA if elected?

Question 6:

Why should people vote for you?

Answer 1: I live in Moy and am the proud mother of two boys. I was born and educated in South Tyrone.

My journey into politics started when I was born. My mother, Olive, was a civil rights activist in Dungannon in the 1960s, and after marrying, my father Denis, got him involved too. There were political meetings in our home and campaigns ran from the kitchen table. So politics is undoubtably in my DNA.

I’m currently in my second term as a local councillor in Mid Ulster District Council – a position I give my all to, and I want to go on to serve the people of Fermanagh and South Tyrone as an MLA.

Answer 2: The cost of living has come up on every door we have canvassed in the constituency. Many families are being forced to choose between fuel for the car, food on the table or heat in their home. There has been a 35 per cent spike in gas prices, a 10 per cent increase in house prices, a 10 per cent hike in electricity prices – to name but a few increases.

In Fermanagh and South Tyrone, people are angered by the failure to invest in our infrastructure, to bolster our struggling healthcare services – particularly the thousands of people on waiting lists, and the thousands of other people waiting for a home.

There is a real appetite for change – real change.

Answer 3: If elected MLA, I will shine the spotlight on the fundamental bread and butter issues hammering our communities, in particular the thousands of people on housing waiting lists; 250,000 people on hospital waiting lists for more than a year; 260,000 people in poverty; families crushed by the cost of living crisis, to name but a few.

Answer 4: Stormont forgets about west of the Bann. We are entitled to our fair share of investment and I am committed to making it happen for Fermanagh and South Tyrone. Stormont is broken, and the first step is to elect people who will stand up for the issues that matter and offer genuine, principled opposition to the Stormont Establishment parties.

There is a massive job of work to be done, and I am eager to get started. Stormont has presided over a time of spiralling costs and rapidly rising economic inequality in the North.

Answer 5: I stand for truth and what is right. I’m currently elected to a council, elected to do a job, and the same applies if I’m, please God, elected Aontú MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone. My function as an elected representative is to serve my constituents.

Our community deserves a voice, the people deserve honest and effective representation, they deserve real change. That is what I am offering as an MLA.

I will continue my lifelong campaigning for justice for the victims and survivors of British collusion.

As an MLA, I will ensure that human rights are at the centre of our politics – and that life is treasured at all stages.

On the cost of living, I will put forward practical, effective policies which will allow us to ease the crisis facing families. I will further the cause of Reunification and political reform by putting forward tangible steps towards the erasure of Partition.

Answer 6: I have a proven track record as an elected councillor who has fought for the needs of my community week in, week out, year after year. I have always voted for what is right, not what is convenient.

Beyond electoral politics, I have campaigned for decades for justice for the victims and survivors of British collusion. I believe fundamentally in grassroots, community-driven politics to deliver long-term decisive change, and I will work for real change if elected as MLA.