SDLP Humbug - Lord Kilclooney
“The SDLP policy document for a United Ireland is all words but no realism. It is the work of political amateurs.
“ ‘We are 100% for a United Ireland’ they say. ‘We reject Gerry Adams when he says ‘that Unionist consent for a United Ireland’ would be required.’ Of course, this is simply the SDLP waving the green flag before an election in an attempt to portray themselves as better Republicans than Sinn Fein. It is a laughable exercise and it is unrealistic.
“Most European politicians debate the economy of their countries, but the SDLP fail to make any reference as to how a United Ireland could be financed. Their silence on this important issue is deafening.
“Northern Ireland benefits from a net transfer of £4 billion per year by being part of the United Kingdom. In a United Ireland, the 4 million southern Irish would have to provide this £4 billion to simply maintain the current level of public expenditure in Northern Ireland. This means a contribution of £1,000 per man, woman and child in the Republic, to be sent each year to Stormont. This makes a United Ireland an economic impossibility unless there is to be mass emigration by the poorer section of the Northern Ireland population.
“Now we know, the SDLP have conveniently ignored the economic implications of a United Ireland. Please SDLP – less green flag waving and some economic sense for a change.”