SDLP rule out co-operation with Sinn Féin
The SDLP today ruled out cooperation with Sinn Féin while a top unionist called for greater efforts to combat republican political ambitions.
After prominent SDLP member Declan O'Loan caused a storm by effectively proposing a merger with Sinn Féin, his leader Margaret Ritchie has again ruled out such a move.
This came as Ulster Unionist Danny Kennedy told an Orange Order event that his party should cooperate with the DUP to halt Sinn Féin's growth.
Mr Kennedy said: "Unionism must challenge the Sinn Féin agenda and to do this effectively it must stand together instead of pursuing the negative and ultimately unproductive politics of division.
"Unionist disunity has been Sinn Féin's opportunity. Sinn Féin has successively inflicted serious damage on both main unionist parties and on their leaderships.
"It is time for unionism to come together and work together." Calls for unionist unity have grown after Sinn Féin topped the poll in both the European and general elections.
It was the first time republicans emerged as the party with the largest share of the vote in the history of the North, and underlined Sinn Féin's chances of leading the Assembly poll next May.
Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness already shares the Office of First Minister and deputy First Minister with DUP leader Peter Robinson.
But if Sinn Féin emerges as the largest party in the Assembly election, it could see the party score a symbolic victory, with Mr McGuinness possibly moving from the deputy First Minister's role into that of the First Minister.
Unionists have considered how to avoid the development and today Mr Kennedy repeated calls for unionist cooperation which stopped short of a full merger between the UUP and DUP.
He said if the Conservatives could work closely with the Liberal Democrats to form a government at Westminster, the unionist parties could also work together at Stormont.
He added: "This model - the concept of a coalition of unionist parties - may be a more productive route for us to follow in that it allows the parties to retain their separate, distinct and historic identities while working together for the good of unionism and the union."
He added: "As the good book says, it is good for brethren to dwell together in unity. That unity must be a unity which threatens our political enemies without needing to concern our political friends."
On Friday, SDLP leader Margaret Ritchie announced that she had lifted Declan O'Loan's suspension from party ranks over his nationalist unity call.
But in a weekend speech to party members, she ruled out any cooperation with republicans.
"I can see no credible argument for closer ties with Sinn Féín," she said.
"A closer tie with Sinn Féin leading to a single nationalist party is a step beyond the pale for me.
"It is unacceptable because quite apart from the huge difference in our backgrounds, history and political philosophy, we actually have very little in common.
"Yes we are both nationalist parties who believe in Irish unity.
"Yes many of our members are of the same religion and have similar cultural interests - but there it really does end. We are fundamentally different on everything else."
Meanwhile, Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams told a republican commemoration that his party was working constructively to heal the wounds of the past and build a new future, including through the power-sharing Assembly.
He added: "Republicans want to work in partnership, as equals, with unionists in building a better society and future for our children.
"One of the biggest challenges Irish republicans face is persuading unionists that their future is a shared future with the rest of the people of this island.
"For them, as well as for nationalists, Irish unity and independence and a new relationship of mutual respect as equals with Britain, offers the best hope for the future."
