UUP 'out of touch with working class'
The Ulster Unionists were today accused of being out of touch with the needs of working class Protestants after it called on the British government to boost loyalist confidence by ending concessions to republicans.
Sinn Féin Assembly member Kathy Stanton criticised the UUP after it also argued Northern Ireland Office Criminal Justice Minister David Hanson should compel community restorative justice groups in nationalist areas to work directly with the police as another confidence building measure.
The proposals were made in a letter by UUP leader Reg Empey to Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain.
The former Stormont Economy Minister also pressed for adequate core funding for schools in loyalist areas and a proper resolution of the issue of contentious marches.
Ms Stanton argued: “Some of the proposals in this document from the UUP were clearly dreamed up by people completely out of touch with the reality within working class communities or by people trying to use those communities to advance a political agenda.
“People need to ask the question of the UUP just how the British government changing its approach to community restorative justice schemes in nationalist areas tackles deprivation within the loyalist working class, as appears in their proposals, or ending what they describe as concessions to republicans.
“If the UUP were serious about this issue then they firstly would robustly deal with the issue of unionist paramilitary drug dealing and activity by the very gangs they sit alongside on the Loyalist Commission.
“Or they could move away from trying to play the sectarian card when putting forward proposals on tackling deprivation and poverty.”
Sir Reg’s letter to Peter Hain also called for more speedy decision-making, noting the West Belfast and Shankill Taskforce’s recommendations had taken four years to implement.
The East Belfast MLA also urged the British government to set a limited period for the development of sites made available for sale by the Housing Executive to ensure neighbourhoods did not fall into decline.
Ulster Unionist Assembly member Michael McGimpsey also urged the government to be more open and transparent in its approach towards loyalist communities.
The South Belfast MLA said: “We need to take a leaf from Big Brother – not George Orwell’s Big Brother but the TV show.
“The public, at every stage, should be able to see what is going on and what is being decided upon in their name.
“They need to be involved, consulted and made to feel like stakeholders in their own future.
“The best way to invest in loyalist areas is to invest in our children. Tackling educational disadvantage is key.”
Ms Stanton said all political parties should tackle deprivation and poverty wherever it arose.
The North Belfast MLA said: “Deprivation and poverty undoubtedly exists in unionist working class communities, as it does in nationalist and republican working class communities.
“This disadvantage will not be tackled by political parties attempting to approach the issue along sectarian and partisan lines.”
