Sinn Féin Support Policy Platform Of Right2Change Coalition

Sinn Féin has confirmed its support for the "broad policy platform" of the Right2Change coalition, which includes trade unions, civil society organisations, progressive political parties and independents stemming from the Right2Water movement.

The party's Deputy Leader Mary Lou McDonald said: "The Right2Water movement has evolved and grown from the initial sole concern around water charges to other issues. As a result of very long discussions and consultations, broad policy principles have been agreed which we in Sinn Féin are happy sign up to and to endorse.

"This policy provides a space for political parties and progressive independent candidates and a platform to fight the next election. It doesn't replace any political party's manifesto, but it does represent those points of commonality, where we agree, and represents a real opportunity in the forthcoming election to maximise the number of progressive TDs elected to the Dáil, and the potential for an alternative government.

"It's been very clear to us in the course of the last number of months in particular, that the community pillar of this Right2Change movement is looking for coherence, looking for some sense of direction from the political parties and the independents involved and so we support these policies.

"We believe there is a great opportunity now in the forthcoming election. We believe that we need an alternative and a progressive government. Sinn Féin wants to be part of that and we believe that parties and candidates who share this platform and who agree on these principles should, whilst attending to their own election campaigns, equally encourage people to transfer to other like-minded candidates."

(MH/LM)