Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald TD said today the party will not be standing candidates in the Westminster election East Belfast, South Belfast or North Down and has called on the electorate to vote for the pro-Remain candidates best placed to win the seats.

Mary Lou McDonald said:

“This election is about the future, the future of our children, our families and communities, and the future of our country in the face of the toxic Tory/DUP Brexit agenda and their disastrous cuts to our public services.

“Since the referendum Sinn Féin has worked with the other pro remain parties to send a clear message to the British government, the EU, the Irish government and the US, that the DUP does not speak for the north.

“Sinn Féin has stood up for the majority who voted to reject Brexit. 

“The recent EU election showed there is an appetite among pro-Remain and progressive voters for increasing co-operation between those who represent the majority who voted to stay in the EU.   

“Over recent weeks Michelle O’Neill has engaged with the other political parties to explore how best to elect the maximum number of pro-Remain candidates.

“So I welcome the decision by the SDLP not to stand in north Belfast, east Belfast and north Down.

“That is in our opinion the right decision and we repeat our call to other pro-Remain parties to consider their position.

“For our part Sinn Féin will not be standing candidates in East Belfast, South Belfast or North Down. 

“The campaign is now well underway. Voters are faced with a choice. 

“They now have the opportunity to reject Brexit, reject the DUP and reject the Tories and to stand up for the unique protections for our economy and our peace agreements achieved by Sinn Féin.”