THE British Labour Party's election manifesto generated mixed reaction from parties in Northern Ireland.
The SDLP leader, Mr John Hume, described it as a "strong encouragement" to all parties to reach agreement. "The Labour Party is making it clear, as the Tory Party has already done, that North and South, to sort out their differences and reach agreement. And whatever shape that agreement takes, they will legislate for it.
"In other words, they are making very clear that the traditional reasons given by the IRA no longer exist, that the British have no interest of their own in remaining in Ireland and that they will respect any agreement self determined by the people of Ireland North and South", Mr Hume said.
However, the DUP criticised the Labour Party for "mimicking the failed policies of a treacherous "Tory government". The party's deputy leader, Mr Peter Robinson, said: "The message behind the Labour manifesto section on Northern Ireland is that they no longer need proclaim a policy in favour of a united Ireland by consent, as they have replaced it by adopting the Conservative government's policy of a united Ireland by stealth and in stages."
Republican Sinn Fein described the manifesto as "unacceptable". Its president, Mr Ruairi O Bradaigh, said that the peace process had "relieved pressure" on the British Labour Party, which "had even withdrawn its gesture to work for a united Ireland by consent".