Workers’ Party statement on collapsing of  the Northern Ireland Assembly

Commenting on the collapse of the Northern Ireland Executive and the calling of an Asembly election for March 2nd, the Workers’ Party have issued the following statement:-

‘This election is unnecessary and  will solve nothing unless people use it to pass judgement on all the parties in Stormont’, the Workers Party has said.

‘The two Executive parties, in particular, have been irresponsible, arrogant and contemptuous. Returning them to power to do the same thing again makes no sense at all.”

“There needs to be a root and branch reform of the Assembly structures. At a minimum we need the introduction of voluntary coalition or majority rule, the abolition of community designation requirements and the removal of the Petition of Concern mechanism. “

“Many of the outstanding requirements of the Good Friday Agreement which have been deliberately set aside must be introduced if devolved government is to continue to function. These would include a Bill of Rights, Integrated Education and the establishment of a Civic Forum.”

“What this election does offer is a chance for people to consider a socialist alternative. An alternative  to political irresponsibility, arrogance, sectarianism and the Executive’s agenda of welfare cuts, lower corporation tax, zero hours contracts, attacks on workers’ rights, social backwardness and of course privatisation of public services .”

“That is the message that the Workers Party will be delivering and the choice we will be presenting to the electorate.”

“The Assembly parties will trade on sectarian fears and tribal instincts to maximise their votes. We have seen what that produces.”

“They need to be told that  they‘ve had their day”