General Election 2024: "I really want people, particularly young people and first-time voters, to grasp the power of their vote"

The public will head to the polls tomorrow, July 4 for the General Election.

SDLP MLA Cara Hunter is one of the candidates running in East Derry.

In 2019, she was elected as a councillor for the very first time and became the Deputy Mayor of Derry City and Strabane Council.

‘‘I’ve been representing here for four years now, and I love knocking on doors and realising in between elections families have grown from the last time I’ve seen them! It’s a lovely feeling to be part of your constituents' lives and do all you can to help them.

‘‘I currently sit on the Education Committee and use my Wednesday mornings to meet with stakeholders about learning disabilities, children’s needs, unions and more. I always make sure to raise the needs of Education in the North West as I am the only voice west of the Bann on that committee and our schools are in crisis.

Speaking about the upcoming election, Cara continued: ‘‘It feels exciting. I love to get out and engage with my constituents on the doors and hear what concerns matter to them. This is a snap election and I work full-time in Opposition, so it has been really fun and very busy. I came second in the last election in 2019.’’

In 2019, Cara was successfully elected as a councillor for the very first time and became the Deputy Mayor of Derry City and Strabane Council.

Across Northern Ireland's 18 constituencies, 136 candidates are competing to become MPs in London's House of Commons. These candidates represent 11 different parties, with an additional nine independent candidates also in the running.

There are nine candidates running in the hope of being elected to represent East Derry in the House of Commons. Since 2001, the DUP's Gregory Campbell has been the MP for East Derry. He has been elected on six successful occasions.

However, Cara believes the people of East Derry want a ‘Nationalist voice’.

‘‘I think people want to see a Nationalist voice that represents them in Westminster for East Derry.

‘‘In the SDLP, we are nationalists who take our seats in Westminster. There are countless laws, created and formed in Westminster that impact my constituents, they deserve a progressive Nationalist voice to speak for them and I would like to be that voice.’’

While she has described her campaign as ‘exciting’ and a ‘positive experience’, it is important to remember that in the 2019 election Cara had been a victim of negative and abusive behaviour. Highlighting this issue shows that women in politics are often subjected to abuse and misogyny. 

Cara explains: ‘‘My last election was infamous for being very negative, I believe the abuse women have to endure in politics is wholly unacceptable and I’m delighted since the last election that the Electoral Commission and PSNI have improved support for new candidates. It is crucial to our democracy candidates are supported and feel safe.

‘‘This election, thankfully, has been quite positive so far. Having had the last few years in Stormont working hard on issues that matter to them such as child poverty, mental health, animal welfare and ending violence against women – I feel I am better known this time than the 2019 election in my constituency.’’

Cara, has been extremely busy sharing what a typical day looks like in her life in the led up to the general elections

‘‘After I return home from Stormont, I continue postering, door knocking, and organising postals for this election. Thursdays and Fridays I spend in my constituency and office meeting with locals, businesses, sports groups and more to hear their needs and present them the following week in Stormont. Busy, busy. But it’s very enjoyable. I spend my weekends canvassing for myself and our other SDLP candidates.

‘‘But I love it. I get a great sense of fulfilment in my job and love getting to meet constituents, stakeholders and hear about lived experience.’’

Cara is encouraging people to vote to understand the power of their participation.

"I really want people, particularly young people and first-time voters, to grasp the power of their vote. It can send a very strong message and create significant change. It can show the kind of politics you support and the kind you reject."

The polls will be open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday, July 4.