Underinvestment in the west of Northern Ireland is a big part of the SDLP’s manifesto and the party will look at “rebalancing” the regional economy, the party leader, Colum Eastwood has said.

Speaking to The Impartial Reporter during a visit to Enniskillen last Thursday, April 14, Mr. Eastwood spoke on a range of issues, as SDLP candidate Adam Gannon hopes to become an MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone.

“West of the Bann generally has been left out,” he said. “You couldn’t be further away from the centre of power, here, and I think places like this have been forgotten about, and investment hasn’t gone to places like Fermanagh and South Tyrone, and that needs to change.

“A big part of our manifesto has been about rebalancing the regional economy.”

Referencing how in the Republic of Ireland, there is a responsibility on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to bring 50 per cent of jobs to places outside Dublin and Cork, the SDLP leader wants to see a similar focus here.

“It should be mandatory for Invest Northern Ireland to bring 50 per cent [of FDI] outside of Belfast. If they did that, it would make a massive difference.

“The problem is, they are not even bringing people to places like Fermanagh – not even showing them the opportunities that are here.

“Places like this could really benefit from a proper targeted approach and investment from Invest NI, but that takes political leadership to force it.”

However, in the here and now, and talking to the people of Fermanagh last Thursday, Mr. Eastwood said problems here are just like anywhere else in Northern Ireland.

“The reality is, the problems are the same as they are everywhere else at the minute, and people are struggling to heat their homes and feed their kids.

“I am knocking on doors, and people are coming to the door with their coats on. Many of these people have been out working all day, and they are just really struggling with bills and the cost of living.”

He says people are fed up with the current state of government in Northern Ireland.

“The message we have is if you are fed up, it is good, but what are you going to do about it? You have to come out to vote, and our view is you vote for somebody different.

“We have had 15 years really of the DUP and Sinn Féin running the place, and it’s grand – but I’m not sure the people of Fermanagh particularly have had a great return for that support.

“Regardless, it is important the DUP get a message in this election, and the way to do that is to take seats off them and get more SDLP people in.”t

With £300 million sitting, waiting to be used, the SDLP have a six-point cost of living plan which can utilise it, but Mr. Eastwood says tackling the cost of living crisis should have happened six months ago.

Extending the £200 fuel support payments to everyone, free school meals, and payments to help parents feed their children in the evening are included in the party’s plan.

“The best way to get money out is to use schemes that already exist, because we know what Stormont is like. We would be waiting until next year – it’ll all be over by the time they get round to designing these schemes.

“The most important thing is to get money into people’s pockets right now.”

Mr. Eastwood is hopeful of returning more SDLP MLAs to Stormont after May 5, but while he says his party want to be in government, it does not mean they will give a “blank cheque for more bad government”.

And while he does not dismiss potentially moving into opposition, it is not the party’s preferred option.

“We won’t take the option off the table, but it is nowhere near our preferred option. We really want to be in government. I think it’s important to be in government at this time.

“It doesn’t always suit us to be in government, but it’s important, I think, that we have more SDLP MLAs, and I think if we can get another minister around that table, it would be good for the balance of the Executive.

“Some people have had their own way too long, and I think we need to change that.”

More MLAs means the potential for more ministers, and the party will be hoping Adam Gannon can take the seat back which was lost in 2017.

And his party leader certainly thinks there is a chance, only missing out by 62 votes then.

“Fermanagh needs a progressive voice; someone [like Mr. Gannon] who is a teacher, well-established and gets the issues of a generation; is interested in the politics the SDLP is espousing – which is a New Ireland, and dealing with the issues on the ground right now.

“If the people want to send the DUP a message, it is actually to send more SDLP MLAs,” he added.