TWO candidates will be standing for the SDLP in the Slieve Croob District Electoral Area in next month’s council election, the party has announced. Sitting councillor Hugh Gallagher will be joined on the ballot paper by fellow SDLP candidate Will Polland. South Down SDLP MLA Colin McGrath said the election, taking place on Thursday the 18th of May, is “an incredibly important” one. “Voters need to have people on the ground who are working in their communities and for their communities,” Mr McGrath said. “Hugh has already proved himself in the last four years of council, delivering real and tangible results for his constituents, and I look forward to seeing him returned to Council. “At only 20, Will may well be our youngest candidate this year, but he already has proved his capacity to address local constituents’ concerns. “An integral part of SDLP Youth and Chair of Queen’s University Belfast, he is incredibly capable, vibrant and brings a real energy to the party and his community and I wish them both well in this forthcoming election.” Cllr Gallagher said he is “absolutely delighted” to have been selected once again to represent the SDLP in an election for the district council. “It has been an incredibly busy four years but I have done my utmost to represent the needs of all in Slieve Croob,” said Cllr Gallagher. “Whether that has been through my work on the Castlewellan Forest Park regeneration, addressing planning concerns in Dundrum, being a voice for men’s health matters on council or addressing the need for council to promote coastal sports. “There’s so much more I am looking forward to doing if I am returned to council and that is a message which I will be bringing to the voters ahead of the 18th of May.” Fellow Slieve Croob SDLP candidate Will Polland said he is very proud to have been selected by the party to run in the upcoming poll. “It is clear that people need representation on their local council for a variety of issues and I look forward to being that voice for people in Slieve Croob,” he said. “I’m very aware of the issues our young people are facing, and how stopstart politics has failed us for too long. “Something needs to change. “I think that politics needs more young voices and that is what I want to do. “I’m really looking forward to the campaign and with the support of people in Slieve Croob, representing them on Newry, Mourne and Down Council.”