SDLP is criticised after vote
Belfast Telegraph
29 January 2008
By Noel McAdam
The SDLP has been criticised after dividing in the Assembly over the Executive’s three-year programme for government - and signalling it will also oppose the Budget.
The party’s MLAs voted with Alliance against the programme.
But the sole SDLP Minister Margaret Ritchie voted to support it and the plan was approved overall by 60 votes to 24. If she had voted with her party, the Social Development Minister would have been in breach of the Ministerial Code, potentially plunging the power-sharing administration into crisis.
But despite drawing the ire of other Executive parties, former Finance Minister Mark Durkan’s party is still poised to vote against the accompanying Budget proposals today.
The party says too many questions remain unanswered over water reform, there is no mention of the crucial replacement for the 11-plus as well as continued pressures on the health budget and the lack of a children’s fund.
But sources have also insisted there is no question of the party pulling out of the Executive to form a more official opposition with Alliance.
North Down DUP MLA Peter Weir said the SDLP had performed a “complete U-turn” and it was “ludicrous” for Mrs Ritchie to have supported the two programme for government documents without party backing.
“If I was Margaret Ritchie I would be getting worried that my colleagues were deserting me and effectively hanging me out to dry with the electorate,” he said.
Alliance leader David Ford argued: “The logic of the SDLP’s position is that they should now pull out of the Executive.”
