SDLP Slams SF Electoral Pact Plan

The SDLP has rejected an electoral deal with Sinn Fein in two of the North's most hotly contested Parliamentary constituencies.

Gerry Adams wrote to Margaret Ritchie yesterday proposing a pact in Fermanagh/South Tyrone and Belfast South.

Ms Ritchie rejected the offer, lambasting it as sectarian.

She told Mr Adams: "I was disappointed to receive such an approach given the fact that both of our parties have roundly condemned as sectarian/tribal, the recent unionist electoral pact in this election."

The DUP and Ulster Unionists have agreed on a single pro-Union candidate in Fermanagh/South Tyrone in a bid to oust the sitting Republican MP.

"I believe that both my party and yours described the pact as ‘sectarian’," the SDLP leader wrote in a letter to Mr Adams.

"I believe it is important now to be principled and consistent. Co-operation between our parties or an electoral pact – whatever description you choose – would put my party and yours in precisely the same place as the DUP and UU/Tories."

She said Martin McGuinness's Assembly speech about delivering the Sharing and Integration strategy earlier on Tuesday conflicted with the views expressed by the Sinn Fein President last night.

Republican MPs' decision not sit in the Commons in Westminster also proved a sticking point for the SDLP leader.

"At a time when we are facing cutbacks and the possibility of a hung or tight Parliament it is even more crucial that our communities are represented fully. Abstentionism works to the disadvantage of people in need," she said.

Ms Ritchie also cited Sinn Fein's failure to back the appointment of a Nationalist Justice Minister on Monday.

"Your party has acted with unionism to deny Nationalists an extra seat at the Executive table to which they were entitled through the Good Friday Agreement, the democratic will of the people of Ireland," she told Mr Adams.

"Nationalists are now under-represented in Government, courtesy of Sinn Fein."

The SDLP leader went on to criticise Sinn Fein's endorsement of the new super council boundaries.

However, she added: "We are of course prepared to meet with your party, or any other party, so we can discuss face-to-face delivering for people at Westminster, how we can do more on jobs and the economy, and how we can build a shared future."

(PR/BMcC)