European Election Candidate – Alex White

Name: Alex White

European Constituency: Dublin

Preferred pronouns: He/him

Party: Labour Party

Have you held a previous elected position? Yes: County Councillor, Senator, TD, Cabinet Minister

What are your reasons for running?

I have a clear vision for Dublin – where everyone has a secure home, where we cherish our precious environment, and where citizens have a real say in how their city develops. Europe can help us realise this vision.

What parliamentary group will you sit with in the EP and why?

Socialists and Democrats (S&D). The Labour Party is a founding member of Party of European Socialists (PES) which brings together the Socialist, Social Democratic, Labour and Democratic Parties from all over the European Union and Norway.

What do you think are the biggest issues facing young people in Ireland and what do you intend to do about them?

Climate change is the single biggest issue facing humanity. Young people in Dublin and across Europe are showing real leadership on this issue and are demonstrating extraordinary commitment to address the issue. 

Read my full vision for Dublin here. 

What will you do to ensure funding for opportunities for young people (e.g. Erasmus & Youth Employment Initiative) is increased in the next Multi-annual Financial Framework?

An important part of the PES manifesto is campaigning for reform of the Erasmus + programme, so that it can, in the future, apply to secondary school and vocational training students. We in the Labour Party are campaigning to support reinforcement of Erasmus 2021-27 and seek for it to benefit people from all social backgrounds by extending it to all post-secondary education, training and apprenticeships.

Any other comments?

The European elections in May 2019 will be the opportunity to change Europe. Globalisation, climate change, growing inequalities, the digital revolution, migration, agriculture transformation and security threats are the new challenges of our society. The status quo is not an option to face the new challenges, and nationalist illusions are dangerous. To regain confidence, and take back control over our future, radical change is necessary. Europe needs a deep review of its policies to really protect and promote a good life for all. It must guarantee citizens’ wellbeing and social-ecological progress. As Socialists and Democrats (S&D), we want to propose a new Social Contract for Europe.