WESTMINSTER ELECTIONS: NORTHERN IRELAND:ALLIANCE WILL offer "a radical and visionary agenda for progress and prosperity" in opposition to other parties who are "focusing on tribal pacts and games", leader David Ford has said.
Launching the party’s manifesto in East Belfast yesterday, the Minister for Justice outlined a package of economic reforms mixed with a policy drive to reduce sectarian division in Northern Ireland. The party estimates that about £1 billion is wasted annually because of community division.
Mr Ford criticised parties “trying to create tribal constituency stitch-ups” and claimed the biggest issues on the doorsteps were jobs and public services.
The manifesto claims that society in the North is burdened with the costs of sectarianism, the economy is underdeveloped and the education system is in chaos.
Alliance says it offers the best alternative to “the divisive politics of unionism and nationalism”.
Mr Ford said the Westminster election was the first in a generation that was called against a background of a fully functioning Stormont Assembly and Executive and it fell to Northern MPs to fight for the best possible deal from the British government for the region.
He said the party would advocate a “Green New Deal” to make Northern Ireland a world leader in sustainability and create a green economy taskforce. This would push for renewable energy production and boost the construction industry through a home insulation scheme.
Alliance will also campaign for a reduction in corporation tax to levels closer to those in the Republic.
It says it will work to “rebalance” the local economy, allowing for the primacy of the market, but balancing that with government and public concern for social justice.
The manifesto claims that Northern Ireland is among nine UK regions that are net recipients of state funding. Only three areas contribute to the Treasury.
Mr Ford warned: “If David Cameron has his way, massive problems are about to hit our public services and our economy. Alliance will safeguard and reform vital frontline services. We simply cannot allow David Cameron’s slash and burn policy to be implemented as it will decimate our economy.”
Successful Alliance candidates who are also Assembly members will stand down from Stormont, Mr Ford said. He also said his party would press for reform of the Westminster expenses scheme and work “to rebuild confidence in politics”.
He claimed credit for the adoption by the Stormont Executive of a community relations strategy, but stressed that the electorate had a real decision to make in next week’s election.
“They need to decide whether they will vote for a party that focuses on real issues or one that obsesses about which flag flies over this area.” He added: “They need to choose between a united community or a carved-up Northern Ireland.” Referring to the campaign in East Belfast by Alliance deputy leader Naomi Long, he said the party had “the best chance in a generation” of winning a Westminster seat at DUP leader Peter Robinson’s expense.
In other constituencies he said there were “real signs of growth for this party”.
Ms Long refused to be drawn on which Westminster party she would support in the event of a parliament with no overall majority, claiming she would strike the best deal for East Belfast.
Alliance Manifesto Main Points
- Oppose steep cuts in the UK annual grant to Northern Ireland.
- Address the £1 billion costs of a divided society.
- Advocate a Green New Deal to boost construction and renewable energy sectors.
- Reform Assembly voting and Westminster expenses scheme.
- Press for Stormont to have tax-raising powers and cut local corporation tax.
- Rebalance local economy to develop the private sector.
- Protect public services and push for social justice.
- Advocate PR for Westminster and a written UK constitution.