![\"\"](\"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/2.41368974.jpg\")
Fianna F\u00e1il leader Miche\u00e1l Martin has joined SDLP leader Colum Eastwood on the campaign trail in Derry.<\/p>\nFianna F\u00e1il leader Miche\u00e1l Martin has joined SDLP leader Colum Eastwood on the campaign trail in Derry.<\/p>\n
The Foyle constituency is expected to be one of the tightest races at next week\u2019s General Election, as Mr Eastwood challenges incumbent Elisha McCallion of Sinn F\u00e9in.<\/p>\n
Addressing a business breakfast at the Bishop\u2019s Gate Hotel in the city, Mr Martin said he was happy to be in Derry to support Mr Eastwood.<\/p>\n
He described the poll as a \u201ccritical election for the future of Northern Ireland\u201d.<\/p>\n
Mr Martin said since the last Westminster election in 2017, which saw ten pro-leave DUP MPs, seven Sinn F\u00e9in MPs who do not take their seats in the House of Commons and one independent elected, Northern Ireland has \u201ceffectively been denied a voice when its future has been at stake\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven worse, one minority view has been allowed to dominate and frankly distort discussions about the fundamental issue of Northern Ireland and Brexit,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd of course, for nearly three years the democratic institutions of the peace settlement have been suspended. With schools and hospitals left to cope with cutbacks, and all public services under pressure, the people of Northern Ireland have had no route available to them to argue or vote against these cuts.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Martin also criticized the ongoing collapse of devolved government, blaming both the two governments as well as the largest parties, the DUP and Sinn F\u00e9in.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe policy of the two governments to basically step back from Northern Ireland and give it less attention failed completely, as it was always going to do,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
The Fianna F\u00e1il chief praised Mr Eastwood and the SDLP for \u201cbeing true to the spirit of the founders and leaders of a party which has always been defined by putting the people before politics\u201d.<\/p>\n
Mr Martin and Mr Eastwood also took part in meetings with Foyle Port and the Ulster University before canvassing in the city.<\/p>\n