Menu
31/05/2002
SDLP support Sinn Féin’s bid for Belfast mayorship
The SDLP has welcomed the Alliance move today to back Sinn Féin’s bid for the mayorship of Belfast.
Speaking after the Alliance announcement at the Europa today Margaret Walshe of the SDLP said the party had always supported the principle of inclusion at all government levels.
“The SDLP has supported the principle of inclusion of both political traditions in all council posts from committee places to the position of Lord Mayor,” she said. “The SDLP has in the past and will this year support Sinn Féin for Mayor. In the coming years the parties of the council must establish council pacts so tat election to Mayor and other positions is not a barter but is agreed by all parties.”
The Alliance Party has only three councillors in Belfast, but they hold the balance of power between nationalists and unionists at City Hall.
In a news conference on Friday, the party said it believed it was the right decision to make.
The leader of the Alliance grouping on the council, David Alderdice, said they had agreed to come out in favour of Mr Maskey after a lot of “soul-searching”.
Belfast City Council will meet to vote on the lord mayorship next week.
Unionist parties account for 25 of the 51 councillors, while the nationalist SDLP and Sinn Féin have a combined total of 23.
In the face of unionist opposition, the party’s three votes will be crucial in determining if Mr Maskey succeeds at Wednesday’s council meeting.
(AMcE)
Speaking after the Alliance announcement at the Europa today Margaret Walshe of the SDLP said the party had always supported the principle of inclusion at all government levels.
“The SDLP has supported the principle of inclusion of both political traditions in all council posts from committee places to the position of Lord Mayor,” she said. “The SDLP has in the past and will this year support Sinn Féin for Mayor. In the coming years the parties of the council must establish council pacts so tat election to Mayor and other positions is not a barter but is agreed by all parties.”
The Alliance Party has only three councillors in Belfast, but they hold the balance of power between nationalists and unionists at City Hall.
In a news conference on Friday, the party said it believed it was the right decision to make.
The leader of the Alliance grouping on the council, David Alderdice, said they had agreed to come out in favour of Mr Maskey after a lot of “soul-searching”.
Belfast City Council will meet to vote on the lord mayorship next week.
Unionist parties account for 25 of the 51 councillors, while the nationalist SDLP and Sinn Féin have a combined total of 23.
In the face of unionist opposition, the party’s three votes will be crucial in determining if Mr Maskey succeeds at Wednesday’s council meeting.
(AMcE)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
11 May 2011
UUP 'Emergency' As Council Seats Declared
All 582 seats have been declared in the elections to Northern Ireland's 26 councils. The first result emerged less than an hour after counting commenced on Monday morning.
UUP 'Emergency' As Council Seats Declared
All 582 seats have been declared in the elections to Northern Ireland's 26 councils. The first result emerged less than an hour after counting commenced on Monday morning.
06 August 2008
'Joint' Bid To Recall Assembly Possible
A top Ulster Unionist member has come out in support of an SDLP call to convene a special meeting of the Stormont Assembly. The UUP's Deputy Leader Danny Kennedy has admitted his party share SDLP concerns over what they are calling "a growing crisis at Stormont".
'Joint' Bid To Recall Assembly Possible
A top Ulster Unionist member has come out in support of an SDLP call to convene a special meeting of the Stormont Assembly. The UUP's Deputy Leader Danny Kennedy has admitted his party share SDLP concerns over what they are calling "a growing crisis at Stormont".
06 December 2012
Ford Calls For Condemnation Of Flag Violence
Alliance Party Leader David Ford has called on the Assembly to show it is united in its opposition to violence over the union flag vote at City Hall. The call follows an escalation of attacks on Alliance offices and representatives.
Ford Calls For Condemnation Of Flag Violence
Alliance Party Leader David Ford has called on the Assembly to show it is united in its opposition to violence over the union flag vote at City Hall. The call follows an escalation of attacks on Alliance offices and representatives.
04 December 2024
Sinn Féin And DUP Accused Of 'Protecting The Status Quo'
Sinn Féin and the DUP have been accused df wanting to maintain the status quo to "serve their own ends". SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA made the comments after a meeting of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee (AERC) at Stormont on Tuesday morning.
Sinn Féin And DUP Accused Of 'Protecting The Status Quo'
Sinn Féin and the DUP have been accused df wanting to maintain the status quo to "serve their own ends". SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA made the comments after a meeting of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee (AERC) at Stormont on Tuesday morning.
05 June 2002
Maskey poised to become Belfast’s First Citizen
Belfast City Council is poised to elect its first republican lord mayor this evening. A decision by the moderate Alliance Party to support Sinn Féin’s representative for Laganbank Alex Maskey means that Sinn Féin should have enough votes to secure the post of First Citizen.
Maskey poised to become Belfast’s First Citizen
Belfast City Council is poised to elect its first republican lord mayor this evening. A decision by the moderate Alliance Party to support Sinn Féin’s representative for Laganbank Alex Maskey means that Sinn Féin should have enough votes to secure the post of First Citizen.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy. Also mainly dry at first this evening but then occasional outbreaks of rain developing overnight. Light southwest winds, and staying mild. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
