Housing and health are key issues with voters, says Clarke

Cllr Michael Clarke has said he will be asking the voters of Ballymote-Tubbercurry to vote Independent in June due to "government and European Union policy failures". Cllr Clarke is contesting the local elections for the fourth time as an Independent candidate. In his electoral debut, he was elected on the first count to the old Dromore constituency in 2009 and has since continued to poll strongly amongst voters in Ballymote-Tubbercurry. He got the third-highest number of first-preference votes in 2019 and was elected following the seventh count.

After over a decade and a half working in local politics, Cllr Clarke said he still finds great satisfaction in the work that he does.

“I have always found it very satisfying. Every day we do something to make people’s lives a little bit better,” he said.

Cllr Clarke, who is a publican in Dromore West, said the health service and housing have been two issues that keep arising at the doorsteps.

“Access to services has been a big issue, particularly the health service. It is taking people three weeks to get an appointment with their doctor."

Cllr Clarke said the issue of housing is regularly highlighted during his canvass of voters.

“Housing is a huge concern. Almost every house in the country has two families living in it. The rising cost of materials has made it tough to deliver houses. We have over 700 houses under construction in west Sligo and I have been assisting builders to get it working and moving along.” 

Cllr Clarke, who is also a farmer, said he is opposed to any policy that involves reducing the national cattle herd.

“Farmers are under a lot of pressure with restrictions and paperwork. We’re living in a green country with tonnes of grass and yet we’re being asked to reduce our herds. In a place where there is natural, comfortable outdoor grazing.

“European policy regarding this is crazy. We need to ensure that our farmers are still producing food and milk and vegetables.” 

Cllr Clarke said he will be asking the voters of Ballymote-Tubbercurry to vote Independent.

“This government has failed to deliver the infrastructure required including the N17, the N59 and the N16 and they failed to put the Sligo to Claremorris rail route on the national programme.

“Government and European policy has ensured the Northwest will be a lagging region in Europe. We haven’t been well served by this government or the EU.” 

Cllr Clarke added that he is the only Independent running in the constituency who has never been affiliated with a political party.