McNulty explains Opposition decision

New MLA for Newry and Armagh Justin Mc Nulty has said that the decision by the SDLP to go into opposition is the right one at the right time and has released a statement.

The MLA says that it wasn't an easy decision entering into opposition particularly for a Nationalist party in the North. Commenting he said "Since partition, our community was long denied power in this very building and therefore we have long been in opposition. That memory runs deep but those were different days and this is a different Ireland.

"'Equality provisions and protections for both communities are now enshrined and guaranteed by international treaties and by two governments. Power-sharing between Unionism and Nationalism remains locked in. The days of sectarian majority rule are now gone and will never return."

Mr Mc Nulty added "We a made a clear promise to the public that we would enter into negotiations on the Programme for Government and, if we were not happy that that Programme would deliver, we would consider opposition.

'We have tried to negotiate a progressive programme for change on their behalf. Over the last two weeks, we have put in the hard yards by putting in the hard work. We have not rushed to judgement.

After a long two weeks, despite our best efforts, it has become clear that our ambition for a full Programme for Government which meets the needs of our people will not be matched by the document currently constructed by the DUP and Sinn Féin. We fear that its inherent vagueness will fall far short of what is required.

'Our ambition sought to implement specific policies which were designed to stop the continuing tide of emigration, to invest in our young people and their education, to protect our elderly, to spread wealth and opportunity across the whole region and to build a modern, prosperous economy.

'A new and refreshed SDLP team, which I am delighted to be part of,  will now tirelessly hold this government to account. We will offer constructive criticism and offer a progressive alternative to government."