Sligo Labour Party members pledge support for Catherine Connolly’s bid for President

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

Sligo based Senator Nessa Cosgrove has confirmed that following a meeting of the local branch of the Labour Party last week, Independent Socialist TD Catherine Connolly will receive their backing in the upcoming Presidential election.

Members of the Sligo/Leitrim/South Donegal Labour Party met to discuss whether or not the Independent Socialist TD should receive the backing of the party she once belonged to.

Senator Nessa Cosgrove commented, "As we all know, President Higgins has served the county with exceptional skill, grace and wisdom during his term in office. I, like so many citizens, have been consistently impressed by his commitment to serving the people through the role of President.

“It is imperative that we find, as a replacement for him, a President who is able to express the needs and the aspirations of the nation in the way he was able to do."

Outlining why she believes Catherine Connolly to be the best candidate and deserving to be elected as the next President, Nessa Cosgrove remarked, "In Catherine Connolly I believe that we have found such a person. Any examination of her personal statements, and voting record, will show a person of deep compassion and commitment to Social Democratic principles which are largely in line with Labour Party values. She has been a consistent voice for peace, for neutrality and for Justice in Palestine.”

"Locally and nationally we had a full and frank conversation about whether we should endorse any candidate, and together we have come to the conclusion that we would be delighted to back Catherine Connolly.”

“Yes, there are questions about her past, about the way she left the party, and about the things that she said about the party. Maybe some of her criticism was unfair, maybe some was justified. Overall however I think, and the vast majority of the local party agrees with me, that Catherine's values chime with ours, more often than not.”

Ms Cosgrove outlined the improvements that need to be made within the country and how Catherine Connolly could serve as a voice for helping to implement those changes.

“We need change in housing, we need change in healthcare, we need change in worker’s rights.

“If we are going to achieve change we need to promote voices for change. Catherine Connolly is such a voice for change and I, and the members of the Sligo/Leitrim/South Donegal Labour Party look forward to campaigning for Catherine in the upcoming Presidential election."