Public Affairs

Political Platform

Belfast councillors Graham Craig (UUP) and Declan Boyle (SDLP) jointly discuss their political journeys and their priorities.  Both men were elected last May to represent Botanic, an area of South Belfast with great diversity ranging from the Malone Road to the Village.

Finding a better way forward

What brought you into politics?
I have always had an interest in politics and public policy. That is why I studied economics as opposed to one of the more traditional professions such as accountancy or law. But it was the flag protests that led to me standing for election. I was so disgusted at how young people were encouraged onto the streets and then abandoned by politicians. I just thought that there has got to be a better way forward than this.

How have you found your role as a councillor?
I can honestly say that I have enjoyed every minute of it. I really feel that I am making a difference. I can help individuals negotiate the bureaucracy of government that often isolates them as citizens. I also I hope bring new perspectives and insights into the political process that will lead to better policy decisions.

What are the most significant challenges facing the city?
Belfast needs to re-establish its position as the engine of economic growth for the province and the hub for inward investment. It is now accepted that large urban areas with their agglomeration advantages are where economic growth is focused. I believe that the current boundaries of the city council are a significant barrier to Belfast fulfilling this role.

What would you like to have achieved by 2019?
I made an election pledge that I would not vote for any increase in the district rate during this mandate. That is my primary objective. I believe passionately that the best people to spent ratepayers’ money are ratepayers themselves. I am also certain that this can be achieved without the need to reduce the services that ratepayers value.

My second objective is to win the argument that Belfast needs to succeed if the province is to succeed. And that to do that successfully, the city boundaries need to expand to reflect the city’s socio-economic geography.

How do you relax outside work? I am not a professional politician. I therefore find my involvement in City Hall as a great source of personal fulfilment. Beyond that, I help out at the youth activities organised by Stormont Presbyterian Church of which I am a member.

Prioritising jobs and training

What brought you into politics?
have had an interest in politics for many years, as I believe very many people have but somehow they think politics is not for them and applies to everyone else but them. We have to live with the decisions that others take very often without discussion. I feel it’s important to give vulnerable, sick, elderly and shy people a voice.

How have you found your role as a councillor?
I have enjoyed my time so far despite it being time-consuming.  I feel it is very rewarding when one achieves a satisfactory result.  Meeting and dealing with other councillors can be both interesting and demanding.  However, some can be challenging and negative.

What are the most significant challenges facing the city?
Belfast city centre needs to promote the city centre as an income-producing zone by way of continued investment and an area for all to share.  Tourism needs to be promoted more so throughout the city.  Also, the removal of graffiti across the city and the promotion of a cleaner city.

One of the most important challenges is to provide a successful skills and training project to get our young people into meaningful jobs when they leave school, and to get inward investment so that our graduates get jobs that match their qualifications to prevent what could be described as ‘job-blocking’.

What would you like to have achieved by 2019?
I would like to see a proper council-driven project to get young people into training and skilled up to enable them to get meaningful jobs.  The SDLP have played their part in securing a zero per cent increase in the local rate.  However, a percentage reduction in the local rate would be achievable without a reduction in services as very many constituents I represent pay the maximum amount.

I would like to see council invest wisely in Belfast, which would produce a rate base plus achieve a good rent which would help secure a percentage reduction in domestic rates.

How do you relax outside work?
I generally work over sixty hours per week, then I have to drive my children to Gaelic matches, soccer matches, rugby matches plus training for all of those. I do a little running and play five-a-side. Then there are the normal household chores which have to be attended to, so spare time is very limited.  The TV is the only thing left so I watch TV for a little while and then fall asleep.

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