Long says that UUP inconsistency means segregation for all of us

Alliance Deputy Leader Naomi Long MLA has challenged the UUP to clarify their position on the cost of segregation and a shared future. She has specifically asked if they accept that £1bn is spent annually on segregation and this issue needs to be tackled. She has further asked them to spell out how they intend to deliver on their manifesto pledges, if they refuse to tackle the cost of segregation. Her comments follow the UUP’s reticence in an Assembly debate last week to commit to fully-ending segregation.

The East Belfast Assembly Member said: “Ulster Unionists wish to deny that £1 billion is wasted every year on segregation. If that is the case, where are their figures to back up their opinions?

“How do the UUP intend to raise the money necessary to implement pledges within their election manifesto? The public has a right to know.

“We were the only party to produce costed pledges within our manifesto, and make it clear that dealing with segregation was part of the overall package to deliver this. We are clear that we can make savings within the budget to improve public services, by removing the Berlin Wall of segregation which exists locally, and we are committed to starting work on this enormous challenge.

“Having critiqued our proposals, it is fair to ask the UUP if they have any commitment to a shared future or any proposals for delivering the commitments they made in the election, or if, like their election slogan ‘for all of us,’ their policies and manifesto are superficial wish-lists from a party without the vision or direction to deliver anything substantive.

“Local people need clarification from the Ulster Unionists on whether they actually want to end segregation at all.”

ENDS