THOUGHTS ON EAST ANTRIM HUSTINGS by Tim Houston
19/04/16 Tim Houston on Engage16
Hustings season is underway! Last night we were in First Larne Presbyterian for the East Antrim hustings. We were joined by a strong audience of over 100 people and 5 election candidates raring to go! On the panel we had Roy Beggs (UUP), Stewart Dickson (Alliance), Gordon Lyons (DUP), Dawn Patterson (Green Party) and Conor Sheridan (Cross Community Labour Alternative).
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The other most widely discussed topic of the night was abortion legislation. The panel was divided on this issue, with Conor Sheridan voicing his approach to the issue, “I believe it is a woman’s right to choose”. Dawn Patterson emphasised her party’s position, “Pro choice does not mean pro abortion. The Green Party trusts the women who’s asking for abortion”. Gordon Lyons maintained his position, “I am not in favour of abortion and my record in Stormont shows that”. What was common amongst all candidates on this topic was equality and rights for all. The striking difference, however, was who that equality applied to. I found myself asking the question, ‘is it possible to pursue equality in society whilst not recognising the equal worth of all life, whether unborn or born?’ To some that may seem a contradiction, and it is something that our election candidates continue to grapple with. Click here to find more hustings taking place in Northern Ireland.