Sectarian parties have final opportunity to prove sectarian political system can work - Parsley

10.41.40am GMT Mon 6th Nov 2006

Chair of Young Alliance, Ian James Parsley

The Alliance Party's youth wing has said the process outlined in the St Andrews' deal is the sectarian parties' final chance to prove themselves able to govern Northern Ireland.

Speaking after a meeting of the Young Alliance Executive in Antrim, Chairman Ian James Parsley stated: "What little detail we have of the St Andrews' deal seems the precise opposite of what we in the Alliance Party have stood for since 1970. Where we seek power-sharing, we have power-dividing. Where we seek collective accountability, we have tribal carve-up. Where we seek power given to the people, we have it taken away and placed with bureaucrats. So it is up to the sectarian parties to prove this kind of carve-up can work in theory, let us see them in practice.

"The choice we have is between being a testing ground for British ministers, or a testing ground for 'post-it note government' by ministers with sectarian power bases who do not even communicate directly with each other. Neither fills us with any confidence.

"But as democrats we believe what the people voted for in the 2003 Assembly election must be seen in practice. The legislators elected three years ago must be given the chance to legislate. The sectarian parties have to prove that not only can they wave flags, chant slogans and moan about the past, but that they can deliver on health, education and

infrastructure. If and when they fail, the people of Northern Ireland must cast their judgement. That is what democracy is about.

"The only thing certain about St Andrews is that this is last-chance saloon for the sectarian parties. We have tried every combination of sectarian parties, and if sectarian politics cannot now deliver genuine and stable devolved government, then it is time for the alternative.

"We stand ready to lead the case for that alternative."

ENDS