Westminster '97

FERMANAGH/SOUTH TYRONE CANDIDATE GERRY McHUGH

Gerry McHugh's initial involvement in politics stretched back to electoral work on behalf of the late Frank Maguire before Gerry helped to establish the Canon / Maguire Sinn Fein Cumann, Donagh, in 1977-78. Gerry was instrumental in building the Party locally and organising the H-Block campaigns as well as the elections for Bobby Sands and Owen Carron.

As Education officer with Fermanagh Comhairle Ceantair, Gerry was keen to promote political education among Sinn Fein members - particularly the young members - on all aspects of political work, a role he also continued as Chairperson.

Gerry has been a member of Fermanagh District Council for the past 4 years and was elected in last year's Forum elections in front of the SDLP.

As the Party's 6 County spokesperson on Agriculture and Rural affairs, Gerry has helped to defend the family farm unit through his membership of NIAPA for the past 10 years, working at local and 6 County level.

Having a special interest in community relations Gerry has been involved in establishing community development groups in Donagh and in other local areas.

Married with two children, Gerry's other interests include photography, walking and reading.

 

CONSTITUENCY PROFILE

Fermanagh and South Tyrone

Party	1992	1996
SF	12,604	11,666
SDLP	12,810	10,399
UUP	26,923	15,542

Even though the Sinn Fein vote dropped slightly here in 1996 the party still pulled ahead of the SDLP. Gerry McHugh is the Sinn Fein candidate, but the absence of an agreed nationalist candidate means that Major Ken is probably a safe bet to retain the seat he won from Owen Carron in 1983 when the SDLP's decision to contest this constituency lost the seat for the majority nationalist community.

Map of Constituencies