Westminster election hustings promotes positive engagement

Claire Hanna from the SDLP, Ian Parsley from the Conservatives and Unionists, David Griffin from the Alliance Party and Mickey Brady from Sinn Fein spoke on a range of issues of interest to the voluntary and community sector while outlining the differences in priorities for each of their respective parties.

Questions from the floor touched on many issues including the Welfare Reform Bill, the environment and fuel poverty, the difficulties facing the older members of our society, child poverty, building a more equitable society and the role of the voluntary and community sector within the state. The draft Concordat and efficiencies and saving were also discussed.

The hustings was organised as part of the Vital Links project and its objectives of building interaction and understanding of the key institutions, the voluntary and community sector and fostering and promoting positive engagement.

The diversity of the sector was displayed with organisations such as Age NI, Save the Children, the RSPB, CAJ and the RNID being in attendance.