SDLP Unity 'U-Turn' Sees MLA Shunned

There's embarrassment today after a leading north Antrim SDLP politician was forced to withdraw a call for nationalist unity - before being shunned by his own party this afternoon.

Commenting on the issue and subsequent withdrawal of a press statement by North Antrim MLA Declan O'Loan yesterday an SDLP spokesman said this afternoon: "Following a meeting with leader Margaret Ritchie this morning the party whip has been removed from Declan O'Loan until a future date, to be determined by the party leader."

Mr O'Loan will now not be able to go to meetings of the party's Assembly group or vote with them.

The MLA's original comments were seen as a dramatic response to ongoing work for unionist unity at polling time, with the prominent SDLP figure saying that a united nationalist party was needed to counter any united unionist party.

In his statement - not issued through the party press office - he even said he had discussed the idea with the 'grassroots members' in north Antrim and claimed that it was very strongly supported.

But he then withdrew the original statement saying it "does not represent established party policy".

The MLA - whose wife is a former NI Police Ombudsman - issued a two-paragraph withdrawal after his call for the formation of a single nationalist party provoked a furious reaction from party colleagues.

Just before the general election, the SDLP rejected an electoral deal with Sinn Fein in two of Northern Ireland's most hotly contested Parliamentary constituencies.

SF President Gerry Adams wrote to Margaret Ritchie proposing a pact in Fermanagh/South Tyrone and Belfast South, but Ms Ritchie rejected the offer, lambasting it as sectarian, despite the DUP and Ulster Unionists having agreed on a single pro-Union candidate in Fermanagh/South Tyrone in an (unsuccessful, but close-run) bid to oust the sitting Republican MP.

The Sinn Fein policy not to sit in the Commons in Westminster also proved a sticking point for the SDLP leader.

Sinn Féin Spokesperson John O'Dowd commenting on the removal of the party whip said: "The SDLP leadership fears a discussion on nationalist unity or cooperation.

"Sinn Féin does not see the need for a single nationalist party but would not fear a debate around common purpose and objectives with other nationalists and republicans.

"The SDLP action today exposes that party leadership's identity crisis.

"It would appear from comment by other grassroots SDLP members that there is a wish for democratic debate within that party about its future direction," he said, going on to allege that SDLP leader Margaret Ritchie took action against Mr O'Loan after she herself had just come from Westminster having 'affirmed her allegiance to the British Monarch'.

"The SDLP leader's actions over the last two days would point to them now being a Monarchist party," he claimed.

Meanwhile, a single unionist party is needed to maintain the union.

That's according to the head of the Orange Order, Grand Master Robert Saulters who has said there was "too much division".

"We will continue to dilute the union if we fight and bicker among ourselves," said Mr Saulters.

He was also speaking in north Antrim at the reopening of Lavin Orange Hall, which has been rebuilt after it was destroyed by an arson attack in July 2006.

See: SDLP Slams SF Electoral Pact Plan

(BMcC/GK)