SDLP to vote against New Budget - BBC

[factual]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7214391.stm

The SDLP are to vote against Sinn Féin/DUP budget.

This is pure sour grapes. Sinn Féin has secured key funding in the budget

This is a positive outcome of the DUP/SF partnership in the Six Counties.

Key achievements include

1. a shared and better future for all is based upon equality, fairness, inclusion and the promotion of good relations – consonant with Sinn Féin's policy of outreach to unionists.
2. a commitment to the social economy
3. Addressing poverty, disadvantage and exclusion
4. Disability – SF secured an acknowledgement that people with a disability still face major barriers and these barriers must be removed.
5. Gender Equality Strategy will work towards the total elimination of the gender pay gap.
6. Regional Disparity – SF will work to ensure that we deliver a more balanced regional outcome
8. Equality into Action

More can be seen here:

http://www.anphoblacht.com/news/detail/23723

Bad, negative politics from the SDLP that sends a message of desperate opportunism rather the principle.

[Keith-M]

The SDLP surely cannot remain inside the executive and vote against its budget. Who gets their seat?

[factual]

The SDLP surely cannot remain inside the executive and vote against its budget. Who gets their seat?

They can legally. But is it honourable?

[rockyracoon]

That's politics. With SF/DUP voting numbers, unless their respective back benches defect, I assume the budget will pass. At this point, if SF were to say a crow is black, the SDLP would argue it white. The SDLP is fighting for its political existence. We just have to expect they will try to make political capital out of any opportunity they can. Would you expect less from your own party?

[factual]

That's politics. With SF/DUP voting numbers, unless their respective back benches defect, I assume the budget will pass. At this point, if SF were to say a crow is black, the SDLP would argue it white. The SDLP is fighting for its political existence. We just have to expect they will try to make political capital out of any opportunity they can. Would you expect less from your own party?

I think it is rather churlish of the SDLP considering they are members of the Executive - having their cake and eating it sends out mixed messages.

[Keith-M]

The SDLP surely cannot remain inside the executive and vote against its budget. Who gets their seat?

They can legally. But is it honourable?

It's beyond ridiculous, and once again proves how nonsensical the consocial model in NI really is.

[Limerick Lad]

At last the signs of normal democratic politics in Northern Ireland.

[factual]

At last the signs of normal democratic politics in Northern Ireland.

[rockyracoon]

All politics are churlish. It's every party for itself. This bit of play acting on the part of the SDLP puts them in the media spot light and portrays them as standing up against the big boys. Let's face it, the SDLP are fighting for their very existence, as I stated before. They, like so many parties, have a policy deficit in these days of homogenous politics. One of the very few ways they can get themselves in the spotlight is to act as spoilers. They hope the ailing economy can only get worse, and they can stand up at the next election and say: I told you so - didn't we oppose the budget which created this mess. [Sure they have the supreme masters of churlish politics backing them now.]

[factual]

All politics are churlish. It's every party for itself. This bit of play acting on the part of the SDLP puts them in the media spot light and portrays them as standing up against the big boys. Let's face it, the SDLP are fighting for their very existence, as I stated before. They, like so many parties, have a policy deficit in these days of homogenous politics. One of the very few ways they can get themselves in the spotlight is to act as spoilers. They hope the ailing economy can only get worse, and they can stand up at the next election and say: I told you so - didn't we oppose the budget which created this mess. [Sure they have the supreme masters of churlish politics backing them now.]

Your parenthetical remarks make me wonder who they are taking orders from ....