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08/11/2011
SDLP Boss Slams Lack Of Political Progress
The SDLP's new leader, Dr. Alasdair McDonnell has again slammed a lack of political progress at the Stormont Executive.
In his address to 50 former members of the Irish Parliament and Senate in Stormont last night he said that 13 years on from the Good Friday Agreement, there is political stability but no real political progress.
The South Belfast MP (pictured here) said: "We must face up to the reality that the Agreement has reached a road block.
"Stability is important but it's simply not enough and we have to realise that the Agreement will not deliver further normalisation or any sort of normal politics."
He tackled both Sinn Fein and the DUP and suggested they "may have kept most of its 'letter' but have totally emasculated its spirit, and torn out the heart of reconciliation".
He added that some parts of NI are more divided and separate than ever before.
"This is borne out by the fact that there were just nine so-called 'Peace Walls' when the first ceasefire came in. Now there are around 50," he added.
"This is not the kind of society I want to bequeath to my children and under my leadership the SDLP is going to do something about it.
"The vision of the founding fathers of the SDLP was of a reconciled people living in a united, just and prosperous New Ireland.
"That is our vision too, but it is not just some pious aspiration for a distant future," he said, concluding: "It is a place we firmly intend to go, where I intend to lead the SDLP."
(BMcC)
In his address to 50 former members of the Irish Parliament and Senate in Stormont last night he said that 13 years on from the Good Friday Agreement, there is political stability but no real political progress.
The South Belfast MP (pictured here) said: "We must face up to the reality that the Agreement has reached a road block.
"Stability is important but it's simply not enough and we have to realise that the Agreement will not deliver further normalisation or any sort of normal politics."
He tackled both Sinn Fein and the DUP and suggested they "may have kept most of its 'letter' but have totally emasculated its spirit, and torn out the heart of reconciliation".
He added that some parts of NI are more divided and separate than ever before.
"This is borne out by the fact that there were just nine so-called 'Peace Walls' when the first ceasefire came in. Now there are around 50," he added.
"This is not the kind of society I want to bequeath to my children and under my leadership the SDLP is going to do something about it.
"The vision of the founding fathers of the SDLP was of a reconciled people living in a united, just and prosperous New Ireland.
"That is our vision too, but it is not just some pious aspiration for a distant future," he said, concluding: "It is a place we firmly intend to go, where I intend to lead the SDLP."
(BMcC)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
