Despite speculation mounting in the county and across the Erne West DEA, Councillor Chris McCaffrey, Sinn Féin who stepped away from politics last week will not contest the local government election as an independent candidate.
Sources close to Councillor McCaffrey suggest that the Sinn Féin councillor – who had served as the youngest Vice-Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council during his term – had deliberated breaking away from the party and standing an an Independent, following the vacuum left by the standing down of long-term Independent Republican, Bernice Swift.
In a statement released to The Impartial Reporter yesterday (Wednesday, April 4), Councillor McCaffrey said: “I can confirm that I have been approached by numerous people asking me to run as an Independent candidate, and the support I have received has been overwhelming.
“However, I have been in Sinn Féin since I was 13 years old, and I have spent more than half my life as a member of the party.
“Although I will always be honoured to represent the people of Fermanagh, I would not like to stand outside of the party.”
Councillor McCaffrey did not rule out a return to politics. In his statement, he said: “I believe that if the public allow for it, I can come back to politics, which is something I would like to do.
“I will continue to fight the issues which face the public and to work on behalf of the people of Fermanagh, and to be a strong voice for them however else I can.
“I am truly grateful for the past four years, and want to thank everyone who has supported me throughout my term.”
Earlier, speaking at his last meeting of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council mandate, Councillor McCaffrey had told members: “How can you describe these last four years, except by saying it has been a tremendous privilege and honour?
“While politics and public life is not without its challenges, these have been a truly wonderful four years.
“I am privileged to have been trusted to represent my local area where I grew up and have been in the position to help other people, and hopefully to have touched their lives.
“I couldn’t have done any of this without the support of all the people who elected and supported me. I want to express my deepest gratitude.
“Thank you to my family, friends and loved ones for all their patience, and a special word of thanks to the Erne West community for electing me in 2019.”
Councillor Swift has not yet declared a successor or an endorsement. As an Independent Republican, she had been a councillor on Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and the legacy Fermanagh District Council for 18 years.
First elected for Sinn Féin in 2005, she left the party in 2008 over its position on policing.
Councillor Swift announced her intention to stand down at the final meeting of this term of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council on Tuesday, April 4.
In the 2019 election, Councillor Swift was the second person elected to the Erne West ward behind Ulster Unionist candidate, Councillor Alex Baird.
She garnered 1,159 first preference votes. Councillor McCaffrey, a first-time election candidate, polled 1,136 first preference votes.
A successor to run as an Independent Republican in Councillor Swift’s place has not yet been indicated.
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