“I hope the future is one where we never again have to go begging a British government for the crumbs of their table”, said Pat Cullen recently, expressing the wish to leave the Union and achieve a United Ireland. We are delighted therefore to confirm the Sinn Fein MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone as a speaker in our debate. The Union isn’t working: How can we exit?
Here is a bit of brief background on Pat. She was born in Carrickmore, County Tyrone, the youngest of seven children to farmer Paddy McAleer and his wife, Annie. The decision of the eldest sister to become a nurse inspired Pat to follow the same career. Her brother and four of her five sisters all became nurses. Pat’s other sister had a learning disability, which prompted Pat to study mental health nursing.
She worked as a community nurse in West Belfast during the Troubles before joining the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) in 2016. She rose to become General Secretary and Chief Executive of the RCN in July 2021. In 2023, Pat was described by the New Statement as ”one of the UKs most prominent Trade Union leaders” in their list of the most powerful left-wing figures of the year, above many elected politicians.
In May 2024, she stepped down from her role at the RCN in order to stand as a candidate for Fermanagh and South Tyrone. On 4 July she was elected as Sinn Fein MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone. Like all Sinn Féin UK MPs, she follows an abstentionist policy and has not taken her seat in Westminster.
Pat was recently asked if she could look 10 years into the future what would she hope to see?
“I would like to see us using the next years preparing the groundwork for referendums and that we see these held within the next 5-6 years. In 10 years’ time, I believe I will be living in a new and united Ireland that is a better place for everyone, in charge of our own decisions for everyone that calls the Island their home. I yearn for the day we are no longer depending on a British government who has no interest in the prosperity of our people. I bear the scars of trying to negotiate with the British government for a fair pay deal for frontline nurses and witnessed on a daily basis their lack of interest, compassion or respect for working class people. I hope the future is one where we never again have to go begging to a British government for the crumbs of their table”.
The Union isn’t working: How can we exit?
Wednesday February 11th, 7.15pm, Portcullis House, Bridge Street, London SW1 2LW. The building is next to Big Ben.
Speakers invited – SF, SNP, Plaid Cymru and Kevin Meagher. Admission Free. Everyone is welcome.
To Register – email name(s) to [email protected] .
“I hope the future is one where we never again have to go begging a British government for the crumbs of their table”, said Pat Cullen recently, expressing the wish to leave the Union and achieve a United Ireland. We are delighted therefore to confirm the Sinn Fein MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone as a speaker in our debate. The Union isn’t working: How can we exit?
Here is a bit of brief background on Pat. She was born in Carrickmore, County Tyrone, the youngest of seven children to farmer Paddy McAleer and his wife, Annie. The decision of the eldest sister to become a nurse inspired Pat to follow the same career. Her brother and four of her five sisters all became nurses. Pat’s other sister had a learning disability, which prompted Pat to study mental health nursing.
She worked as a community nurse in West Belfast during the Troubles before joining the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) in 2016. She rose to become General Secretary and Chief Executive of the RCN in July 2021. In 2023, Pat was described by the New Statement as ”one of the UKs most prominent Trade Union leaders” in their list of the most powerful left-wing figures of the year, above many elected politicians.
In May 2024, she stepped down from her role at the RCN in order to stand as a candidate for Fermanagh and South Tyrone. On 4 July she was elected as Sinn Fein MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone. Like all Sinn Féin UK MPs, she follows an abstentionist policy and has not taken her seat in Westminster.
Pat was recently asked if she could look 10 years into the future what would she hope to see?
“I would like to see us using the next years preparing the groundwork for referendums and that we see these held within the next 5-6 years. In 10 years’ time, I believe I will be living in a new and united Ireland that is a better place for everyone, in charge of our own decisions for everyone that calls the Island their home. I yearn for the day we are no longer depending on a British government who has no interest in the prosperity of our people. I bear the scars of trying to negotiate with the British government for a fair pay deal for frontline nurses and witnessed on a daily basis their lack of interest, compassion or respect for working class people. I hope the future is one where we never again have to go begging to a British government for the crumbs of their table”.
The Union isn’t working: How can we exit?
Wednesday February 11th, 7.15pm, Portcullis House, Bridge Street, London SW1 2LW. The building is next to Big Ben.
Speakers invited – SF, SNP, Plaid Cymru and Kevin Meagher. Admission Free. Everyone is welcome.
To Register – email name(s) to [email protected] .