Politicians all "hot air" on tackling segregation

12.00.00am GMT Wed 26th Apr 2006

Young Alliance Chairman Ian James Parsley has said a Community Relations Council (CRC) report showing the advantages of mixing across the religious divide among young people merely proves what is already obvious - now is the time to act.

Responding to the CRC's Youth Life and Times Survey, the North Down Councillor stated: "Frankly I am fed up reading reports showing that social integration of 'Protestants' and 'Catholics' is a good thing. That much has been clear for centuries.

"If a conference hosted by Nationalists earlier this week had been any fuller of hot air, the attendees would have choked on it. But yet not a single proposal - not one - was presented as to what policies and social changes are really required to tackle segregation and sectarianism. It is an utter disgrace.

"It is time we stopped talking about sharing our future, and started acting. Reports and conferences hosted by other political parties and agencies are very good at identifying the problem - yet only the Alliance Party is prepared to present any of the solutions.

"Instead of all this top-down doctrine from agencies which cannot deliver and politicians who will not deliver, it is time for a liberal approach which brings down the barriers to integration, rather than forcing people into it against their will.

"This means tough choices on promoting integrated schools over segregated ones, shared leisure facilities over divided ones, and de-segregated social housing over separate estates for Catholics and Protestants. That means crushing the public-sector comfort zone and implementing performance targets for public servants while freeing up those wishing to create wealth through private enterprise. That means abolition of the 'Quango State' and its replacement by government through individuals capable of leading communities, not pandering to the lowest common denominator.

"The ultimate choice is simple - do we stick with the current party set-up and continue to endure a sectarianized future, or do we get rid of the staid sectarian parties of yesteryear to enjoy an integrated future where people can live their lives free from sectarian squalor and where political choices are based on philosophy rather than tribe. If we want the latter, we need political leaders prepared to act to break the 'Sectarian Consensus' through which inadequate people hold on to power."

ENDS