Sean Burns

Seán Burns is a 22 year-old trade unionist and socialist activist from South Belfast.

Announcing the party’s call for votes at 16, Seán said:

Young people – Protestant, Catholic and neither – will be hit hardest by the austerity policies of the Green and Orange politicians. Despite the supposed economic recovery, around one in five young people are unemployed. Many are being forced to leave in search of jobs and education. The Stormont politicians are mortgaging our futures as they give ever more handouts to the fat cats. Meanwhile, they are holding back progress on marriage equality and the right to choose. The political establishment can only offer a future of division, discrimination and poverty. That’s simply not good enough. Young people must have a say. That’s why Labour Alternative is demanding the right to vote for 16 and 17-year-olds.

Seán’s Record:

  • As part of a campaign against cuts to the Education Maintenance Allowance, Seán participated in a protest which disrupted Assembly proceedings and occupied the Department of Employment & Learning headquarters
  • A member of Unite the Union’s Irish Youth Committee, the largest trade union in Britain and Ireland
  • Helped organise the major Rally for a Future in Ballymena in response to threatened manufacturing job losses
  • Organised the March for a Future across the Shankhill-Falls peaceline in opposition to education cuts and unemployment
  • A committed campaigner for LGBT rights, Seán spoke alongside prominent activists like Peter Tatchell and Mike Jackson of Lesbians & Gays Support the Miners (featured in the movie Pride) at last summer’s Fight4Equality festival in Belfast