The Green Party has announced Councillor Anthony Flynn as its candidate for North Down in the 2027 Northern Ireland Assembly election, pledging a strong Green voice focused on protecting the environment, improving public services and delivering for communities across the constituency.
Commenting on his candidacy, Cllr Flynn said:
“North Down is a fantastic place to live, with an incredible coastline, thriving communities and so much potential. I’m delighted to have been selected as the Green Party candidate and I want to offer people a positive vision for what North Down can be.
“For me, that means protecting the environment that makes this area so special, improving the public services we all depend on, supporting our town centres and local businesses and making sure our communities have a strong voice at Stormont.”
Protecting North Down’s coastline and improving water quality will be among Cllr Flynn’s key priorities.
“The crisis at Lough Neagh has shown what happens when environmental problems are allowed to build for decades. We can’t repeat those mistakes with our rivers, lakes and coastline.
“Whether you swim, sail, paddleboard or simply enjoy our beaches, you should be able to trust that the water is clean and safe. That means tackling pollution and sewage, investing properly in our water infrastructure and putting environmental protection at the heart of government.”
Cllr Flynn also pledged to campaign for better public transport, stronger town centres and support for local businesses.
“Having worked in hospitality in North Down for six years, I know how important the sector is to the local economy and to the character of places like Bangor and Holywood. Businesses are facing huge pressures, and we need to help our town centres thrive.
“Good public transport, hospitality, tourism and vibrant town centres all go hand in hand. That also means better connections for communities such as Donaghadee, where people deserve a public transport service that gives them a genuine alternative to the car.
“We also need genuinely affordable homes while protecting the character of our communities and the green spaces that make North Down attractive. That requires a planning system that works in the public interest rather than development at any cost.”
Cllr Flynn said tackling the crisis facing health and social care must also be a priority for the next Assembly:
“Too many people in North Down are waiting far too long for appointments, treatment or care. We need to get waiting lists down, invest in prevention and primary care, and properly support the health and social care workforce. People should be able to access the care they need when they need it, not spend months or years waiting.”
Cllr Flynn also pledged to campaign for stronger animal welfare protections, saying Northern Ireland “continues to lag behind on too many animal welfare issues” and needs “proper enforcement and an Assembly prepared to act against cruelty rather than continually delaying difficult decisions.”
Reform of Stormont will also be a priority:
“We can’t continue with stop-start government where one party can collapse the institutions and leave people without a functioning Executive for years. Stormont needs reform so that no single party can bring government down. Whatever our political differences, people have a right to expect their government to turn up, stay in place and do its job.”
Turning to the record of the current Executive parties, Cllr Flynn said:
“Alliance has had significant representation in North Down and influence at Stormont, including ministerial office. People are entitled to ask whether that influence has delivered enough, from the state of our health service and public transport to the protection of our environment.
“Too many of the challenges facing North Down remain unresolved. I want to offer a Green alternative that will work constructively with others to get things done, but which won’t be afraid to challenge government when it isn’t delivering.”
Green Party NI leader Mal O’Hara welcomed Anthony’s candidacy:
“Anthony has shown on Belfast City Council what determined Green representation can achieve. He is a hardworking and effective councillor focused on delivering practical results.
“North Down has a proud history of Green representation, both at Stormont and through the dedicated work of our councillors locally. People here care deeply about their coastline, communities and public services, and Anthony is the right person to build on that record and return a strong Green voice for North Down to Stormont.”
Cllr Flynn added:
“I’m standing because I believe North Down has enormous potential. I want to bring the record of hard work and dedicated Green politics I’ve built as a councillor to Stormont, build on our party’s strong roots here and deliver for people across North Down.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
Cllr Anthony Flynn has been a Green Party councillor on Belfast City Council, representing the Ormiston DEA, since 2019.
Before entering elected politics, Anthony worked in the hospitality sector in North Down for six years and has close family living in Bangor.
Media contact:
Anthony Flynn
07823668432
[email protected]
[email protected]