Anna Lo MLA said: “I think the comments from Mike Nesbitt show just how much he supports the idea of a Shared Future. He may claim that he is a firm supporter of it but I would question this from what he said ahead of the Twelfth of July parades.
“In a Shared Future, one side’s culture does not have to be diminished for the benefit of another group. I want to work for a society where we can respect everybody’s culture and history.
“I think Nesbitt does not fully understand what a shared future is or what it would mean for Northern Ireland. When he became leader he tried to claim that he would be everything to everybody, but this press release shows that when push comes to shove, Mike Nesbitt and the UUP have not changed from being a party that would like to hark back to the time before power sharing.
“I think that after this, Nesbitt can no longer be viewed as being a firm supporter shared future.”
ENDS
UUP Press Release 11th July 2012
Continued attempts to erode Protestant and Unionist culture – Nesbitt
Ulster Unionist Party Leader Mike Nesbitt has requested an urgent meeting with the Parades Commission to attempt to progress a change in recent nonsense Commission decisions.
Mr Nesbitt said: “I am astounded at the decisions taken by the Parades Commission in relation to Ardoyne and Crumlin for the Twelfth. For years there have been demands by republican groups to engage in dialogue, which has been backed up by Parades commission determinations which are critical of no dialogue. However when dialogue is offered in areas like Portadown and rejected by republicans there is no recognition given by the authorities to this.
“I do not understand the logic of the Parades Commission determinations in relation to Ardoyne and Crumlin as there is no practical opportunity to implement the Ardoyne ruling and no practical reason for the Crumlin decision.
“While not a debate for now it is imperative that any replacement for the Parades Commission will not make a bad situation worse and ensure that it is easier for people and groups with no real complaint to act against the Loyal Orders parades.
“Why is it that determinations come down on the side of those who have created violence in the past or threaten the most violence at this time?”