Emmet McDonough-Brown is the Alliance candidate for South Belfast. We caught up with him to discuss abortion, St. Patrick’s Day and more.
What can you tell people who don’t know you about yourself and what you could do for the people of South Belfast?
I’ve released a video which probably answers the first question – you can see it here (https://twitter.com/EmmetMcDB/status/833289797674348546)
South Belfast is possibly the most diverse constituency in NI. Do you find running in such a constituency provides different challenges than say in a more “traditional” NI constituency?
No, it’s a pleasure to run in such a constituency. I have lived here, studied here, I went to school here and now I represent a slice of it in the Council. It’s diversity is its strength.
As someone who enjoys speaking Irish, what do you think of Arlene Fosters comment that she will never commit to an Irish language act?
Arlene’s arrogance has been laid bare for all to see. I don’t think she’ll survive much beyond the election.
You have stated that you believe in a woman’s right to choose, so with some of the high profile cases recently involving young women ordering abortion pills online, what changes are needed to the laws here regarding abortion?
We need to decriminalise women here for accessing basic healthcare. I believe abortion rights are the defining social issue of this generation in Northern Ireland and that people are so far ahead of their politicians now that we need to elect people who’ll uphold women’s rights.
I saw you recently tweeting about discussing St. Patrick’s Day in the Holylands with folks. What’s your viewpoint on this? It’s a subject that can draw different reactions from people based on your age, community you’re from, etc.
St Patrick’s day is a national celebration (if not a global one) and people are entitled to enjoy it and take part in the fun. The Council (and others) run events which are inclusive; some people choose to drink to excess and that can create challenges when it occurs in residential areas and in great concentrations. People coming to the Holylands need to consider the impact their behaviour has on people who have lived in the area for a long time and be respectful of their neighbours.
You and your running mate Paula Bradshaw have both stated how it seems like you are meeting a lot of new Alliance members and people who haven’t voted before or in a long time. Do you think something is different about this election opposed to the other recent ones?
We are meeting lots of new members and the second seat is very much in play for us. Whilst we’ll find out Friday how well we have done, this election feels different in South Belfast in that the DUP vote is soft and progressives are coalescing around Alliance as the force to see the change in NI that we need.