Alliance slams UUP hypocrisy over centre-ground coalition

2.34.33pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 23rd Apr 2007

Alliance Party Chief Whip Kieran McCarthy MLA

Alliance Party Chief Whip Kieran McCarthy MLA has stated that the Ulster Unionists showed hypocrisy in stating that they want to form a coalition against DUP/Sinn Fein yet decided not to go into opposition in the forthcoming Assembly. He stated that Alliance is the only alternative and only opposition to the tribal Executive. He went on to say that if there was ever to be any centre ground coalition, the Ulster Unionists must end their links to the representatives of loyalist paramilitaries.

Kieran McCarthy MLA said: "The Ulster Unionists demonstrated total hypocrisy in saying they want to form a centre-ground axis against DUP and Sinn Fein, because they chose to join the Executive instead of going into opposition.

"The trappings of Executive power were too much for the Ulster Unionists and they could not resist them.

"Its time that the Ulster Unionists demonstrated principled leadership instead of simply talking about it. They try to talk a good game but always fail to deliver.

"The Ulster Unionists have a lot of work to do before we would consider forming a centre-ground coalition with them and the SDLP. Before any such matter can even be considered, the Ulster Unionists must end their link to the PUP.

"Alliance is the only alternative to tribalism and only Alliance will give local people a strong and constructive opposition group. We will hold the Executive to account and help deliver a fair deal across the board for local people."

ENDS