South and East Belfast Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

South and East Belfast Sinn Féin go directly to the people

Published: 18 January, 2009

South and East Belfast Sinn Féin have launched a 'political canvass' that sees party activists knock on doors throughout South and East Belfast and ask the people directly what issues are affecting them, and are most important to them.


South Belfast MLA Alex Maskey said,

"Sinn Féin has always prided itself on the work that we have tried to do for local communities and in representing the most marginalised in our society. This canvass is an extension of that work. It is about going directly to the people and asking them what is important to them; what are the issues that they want their politicians to be working on. It is about ensuring that the people of South and East Belfast know that they have a voice in all of the political institutions here.


Balmoral Sinn Féin representative Vincent Parker said,

"For many people political parties only turn up at their door at election time to ask them for their vote. Sinn Féin is about ensuring that people have the best representation possible. This canvass is part of this process and it will ensure that, unlike many other parties, Sinn Féin do not just appear on their doorstep at election time".


East Belfast representative Niall Ó Donnghaile added,

"Too many politicians assume that, when they are voted into office, they have been 'carte blanche' to act in a way which they think is best for those who live in their constituency. Sinn Féin believes, on the contrary, that politicians must always be accountable to the people of their constituency and must always listen to their needs. Sinn Féin believes in a bottom up approach to democracy and the launch of this political canvass is about ensuring that our politicians are always accountable to the people, and are always working for the people.


Alex Maskey MLA concluded,

"Since starting this canvass last week the response that we have had on the doorsteps has been fantastic. Already we have engaged hundreds of residents in the Rosetta area who have identified issues ranging from dog fouling, potholes in their streets and anti-social behaviour to education and the credit crunch. This is the start of a long term program of work which will see our activists working hand in hand with Sinn Féin elected representatives and the people of South and East Belfast to ensure that we improve the quality of life of all the people who live in these areas.


"This will be a long-term and ongoing piece of work. Anyone who we miss will be left a leaflet with our contact details and we would encourage them to contact us if they have any problems or issues that they would like to raise".

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