Colin McGrath 🇺🇦

SDLP MLA for South Down. Party Health & Policing Spokesperson. [email protected]

[Colin McGrath 🇺🇦 @ColinSDLP]

💯 battle lines being drawn for an election based on whipping people up about identity to mask their combined inaction on health, education, infrastructure and every other public service device they have run down!

[Matthew O'Toole @MatthewOToole2]

No poll or serious analyst indicates there is any chance of Michelle O'Neill not being returned as FM.

An election campaign by the DUP on that basis would be a desperate spoof, so an election campaign by Sinn Féin based on countering that made-up threat would be a spoof too.

[Colin McGrath 🇺🇦 @ColinSDLP]

Great to meet HEART UK, clinicians and patients at Stormont yesterday to learn more about cholesterol and Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (FH).

Early detection and simple lifestyle changes can save lives.

Cholesterol Matters. Every Swap Counts.

#NationalCholesterolMonth

[Colin McGrath 🇺🇦 @ColinSDLP]

An incredibly tough, but exceptionally rewarding career and helping to make a real difference in your community. I would urge people from all backgrounds and especially under-represented groups to apply. A successful service will be a representative one @SDLPlive

[NI Policing Board @NIPolicingBoard]

As a Board we support and encourage people from right across the community to apply to this latest campaign!

[Colin McGrath 🇺🇦 @ColinSDLP]

Just after they said they were sick
of pantomime politics - they all stormed out, refused to participate in the debate and then came back in to vote. Oh yes they did……

[UTV Live News @UTVNews]

The Alliance Party Leader Naomi Long has led a walkout of her MLAs from the assembly chamber during a DUP vote of no-confidence motion in Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir.

The DUP had brought the motion following heavy criticism of the Department of Agriculture's handling of a cattle cull in Fivemiletown last June.

[Claire Hanna @ClaireHanna]

DUP have been smearing our party for 5 decades - we’ve been on the right side of the argument then and now.

Claire Hanna MP (BSc LLM 😇)

[Claire Hanna @ClaireHanna]

I’m at the Garvaghy Road and I know people all over the place are worried about the moment we’re in.

[Colin McGrath 🇺🇦 @ColinSDLP]

Interesting headline about a company that, like, actually sells shelves 😃

[Sky News @SkyNews]

Online furniture retailer Dusk puts £300m London float on shelf

https://t.co/4CERSC0iPr

[Trussell Northern Ireland @Trussell_NI]

Thanks @ColinSDLP
for pledging support for ending the need for food banks in Northern Ireland as we work towards a future where everyone can afford the essentials.

[Colin McGrath 🇺🇦 @ColinSDLP]

Interesting discussion at the All Party Group on Terminal Illness. Good presentation and updates on this Palliative Care Week. Need investment and change to procedures to help people at the end of their lives.

[Colin McGrath 🇺🇦 @ColinSDLP]

Assembly returns from summer recess today, and I have secured an urgent oral question for the new Health Minister on his recent statement. Shaping up to be a busy day back!
Scrutiny ✅Accountability✅Transparency✅

[Colin McGrath 🇺🇦 @ColinSDLP]

Got a message today to say there’d been a leak in my Stormont office, just outside the Chamber.
Arrived to find the place looking a little worse for wear…
Leaks at the heart of Stormont.
Not exactly the start of the new Assembly term I was hoping for! 😬💧

[Colin McGrath 🇺🇦 @ColinSDLP]

The lead partners in government. As predicted!

[Matthew O'Toole @MatthewOToole2]

Let's be clear.

The DUP is a scandal-hit wreck but Sinn Féin is trying to deflect from their total failure to deliver Casement, the A5 or anything of substance with the historic mandate they were given.

It won't work.

[Colin McGrath 🇺🇦 @ColinSDLP]

So very sorry to hear this news. A gentleman, local Downpatrick/Ardglass legend and a fellow Ardmeen Green man. RIP Gerry. https://t.co/mOsnZy1Do4

[Colin McGrath 🇺🇦 @ColinSDLP]

🌳Great to see Newcastle featured on BBC Breakfast! #TheWoodlandTrust have a vote on for the 2026 Tree of the Year, and Newcastle's own elm "Bendy Tree" is in the running! Support this beautiful piece of our natural world and vote here: https://t.co/cZdkvcYQJm
@JBAMartin

[Colin McGrath 🇺🇦 @ColinSDLP]

Genuinely wish outgoing Secretary of State @hilarybennmp well. Following floods in Downpatrick in 2023 as Shadow Secretary he visited, listened to reps and businesses, and engaged. His calm demeanour was always appreciated.

[Colin McGrath 🇺🇦 @ColinSDLP]

@BBCGarethG Im guessing they went for that waddle after a nice pint with the lovely Margaret in the Lakeside Inn! Hope you all enjoyed!

[Colin McGrath 🇺🇦 @ColinSDLP]

I’m proud to have backed @bowelcanceruk’s cross-party call to the Executive to urgently fund the extension of #BowelCancer screening to age 50 in Northern Ireland. People here are missing out on up to five opportunities to take part in bowel cancer screening. #unacceptable

[Bowel Cancer UK @bowelcanceruk]

People in Northern Ireland can miss up to five opportunities to take part in #BowelCancer screening compared to elsewhere in the UK.

Backed by over a third of MLAs, we’re calling on the Northern Ireland Executive to urgently fund screening from age 50: https://t.co/Ns1nfX7bxt

[Matthew O'Toole @MatthewOToole2]

The Finance Minister has a point, but it would be a much stronger point if he hadn't published the Budget and described it as 'transformative' then disowned it.

Today should be when the Executive and UK Government to end the Budget chaos for Northern Ireland.

[Colin McGrath 🇺🇦 @ColinSDLP]

Our Party leader, a former Welsh First Minister and a Scottish & Irish government minister - what a panel!Really expert panel discussing change across these islands. @SDLPlive #change