Alliance has selected Andrew McMurray to serve as a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly, replacing Patrick Brown, who resigned from his position last week.
He was co-opted onto Newry, Mourne and Down District Council in November 2016 and was re-elected in the 2023 local elections.
Patrick Brown resigned last week due to “personal reasons” saying that “Alliance continues to have my support, as will whoever is co-opted by the party to fill the position of South Down MLA.”
Assembly rules allow parties to fill vacancies at Stormont without needing to hold a by-election.
“Alliance has gone from strength to strength in South Down as people across the constituency have responded to our positive and progressive message.
“The party has grown and will continue to do so in future as we tackle issues in South Down such as development of the local economy, regeneration, and tourism, anti-poverty, SEN provision and education, the environment and active travel, and the development of rural infrastructure, just to name a few.
“I also want to send my thanks to Patrick Brown. As an MLA, he played a major role in Alliance’s historic breakthrough in South Down in May 2022, which has been followed by Council successes and the growth of our team there. I know that thanks is echoed across the entire local association.
“It is an honour and a privilege to become the MLA for South Down and I fully intend on approaching the role with 100% of my ability and enthusiasm, to continue providing local people with the representation they need and deserve.”
– Andrew McMurray MLA, South Down
Mr McMurray is an outdoor instructor and youth worker who lives in Castlewellan with his wife and two children.
He has a degree in Politics and a postgraduate in Community and Youth Work.
