Irish Votes Count

PRESS RELEASE
For issue to: Local and national press

IRISH VOTES COUNT
Election debate in Manchester, Tuesday 20 April, 2010
Community organisations are calling for the Irish in Britain to make their votes count in the General Election. The umbrella organisation The Federation of Irish Societies (FIS) have built a national campaign to encourage Irish men and women to exercise their right to vote and press local candidates for action on issues effecting the Irish in Britain.
Jennie McShannon, FIS chief executive said: “The result of the General Election will affect every Irish person in Britain. We want to show that the votes of the Irish in Britain cannot be ignored or taken for granted. We need candidates to recognise the contribution of our community and show they can respond to our specific needs and concerns.”
The campaign manifesto was published last week in the House of Commons and immediately supported by Ministers, Members of Parliament and the House of Lords and candidates from all three main parties. Well known supporters present included Cabinet Office Minister, Dawn Butler MP, Northern Ireland Minister Paul Goggins MP, and former Ministers, Lord Dubs (Labour) and Peter Bottomley MP (Conservative)
Liberal Democrat deputy leader, Simon Hughes MP said: “In many constituencies this year, votes of Irish people in Britain can be decisive. The first thing that everybody in the Irish community of all ages must do is make sure that they are registered to vote and then exercise their vote. There are still many challenges facing Irish people in the UK. Often Irish families have lower than average incomes, higher than average unemployment rates and poorer than average health. Members of the next Parliament must deliver a fairer Britain if the Irish people are to get a fair deal.”
Manchester is a city famed for its Irish connections. 2001 Census figures show Manchester Central has 3,120 Irish born; Manchester Withington has 3,841 and Manchester Gorton, 3,666. These figures do not include the thousands of children and grandchildren of Irish migrants who are themselves entitled to vote.
On Tuesday 20 April, 7pm the FIS will hold an election debate at the Cross St Chapel, Cross St in Manchester City Centre, with candidates representing the three main political parties and facing questions from a cross section of the Irish community from across Greater Manchester.

The following Candidates have confirmed as speakers for Tuesdays debate.

Labour - Tony Lloyd, Manchester Central and Lucy Powell, Withington
Conservatives - Christopher Green, Withington and James Edsberg, Blackley & Broughton
Liberal Democrats - Paul Rowen, Rochdale and Donal O'Hanlon, Bury

The FIS is extending an open invite to Irish Voters to attend this debate – to RSVP all you need to do is call 020 7520 3130 or email info@irishsocieties.org
-end-

For further information contact: Patrick Marmion 0797 163 4118 or email p_marmion@hotmail.com

Notes to editor:
1) Date: 20 April, 2010, Time: 7.00pm – 9.00pm,
Venue: Cross St Chapel, Cross St Manchester City Centre

2) The Irish Community Election Manifesto is available in PDF format:

3) Federation of Irish Societies CEO Jennie McShannon is available for interview
4) Jennie McShannon has written to every election candidate urging them to support the Irish community Manifesto and meet their local community groups to understand issues facing Irish people, what is important to them and how our clubs and community care services respond to those needs.
5) During the campaign, FIS will be identifying and highlighting Irish candidates and seeking commitments from those elected. New research will be published identifying the “Irish Battlefield Seats” - more than 50 constituencies where the number of Irish voters could swing the outcome.