SDLP: do they like us or hate us?

Lagan Valley Alliance MLA Trevor Lunn has asked the SDLP to choose whether they like or hate Alliance, given the ridiculously mixed messages coming from them in recent weeks. Alasdair McDonnell said he wanted to see Alliance, SDLP and the UUP working together, then Margaret Ritchie said she would leave the Stormont Executive if Alliance took up the Justice Ministry portfolio.

Trevor Lunn MLA said: “The SDLP currently appear all over the place. One moment, Alasdair McDonnell is calling for co-operation between his party, Alliance and the UUP, then Margaret Ritchie is refusing to sit in the Executive with any Alliance Justice Minister.

“Alasdair’s comments suggest a more friendly approach, but Margaret’s appear very tribal. If Margaret were to become SDLP leader we would like her to clarify her comments because they do not fill us with confidence that she will engage in constructive politics.

“The SDLP are sending out very mixed messages. They are almost in as much of a mess as the Ulster Unionists, and we have no intention of coming to the rescue of either party.”