Royal College of Nursing Head Steps Down to Run for Sinn Féin in UK General Election

The head of the Royal College of Nursing, Pat Cullen, has made a bold move by stepping down from her position to run for Sinn Féin in the upcoming UK general election. Cullen, who has been the general secretary and chief executive of the RCN since 2021, is seeking the Irish republican party’s nomination to stand as their candidate for the Fermanagh and South Tyrone constituency.

In a statement, Cullen expressed her decision to enter the political arena, stating, “After much consideration, I have decided that now is the right time for me to step forward into the political arena to champion the issues and opportunities for the community I love, and that is what I am fully determined to do.” She emphasized the importance of supporting better funding for public services and rejecting years of Tory cuts.

Cullen, who grew up in County Tyrone in Northern Ireland and qualified as a registered nurse in 1985, has a strong background in nursing, having held senior roles within the field before joining the RCN in 2016. Her announcement has sparked discussions and speculation about the upcoming election, especially in the Fermanagh and South Tyrone constituency.

Sinn Féin’s decision not to field sitting MP Michelle Gildernew in the constituency has opened up opportunities for new candidates like Cullen to make their mark. The deadline for candidates to submit nomination forms in Northern Ireland is approaching fast, with the general election scheduled for July 4th. It will be interesting to see how Cullen’s entry into the political arena will impact the race and the issues at stake for the community she aims to represent.