Beggs hits back at DUP/SF United Front against Opposition
Responding to attacks from Sinn Fein and the DUP in the press today surrounding on-going Ulster Unionist discussions on a form of opposition, East Antrim MLA and Finance spokesman Roy Beggs said in a statement,
”Nothing stands still in politics. Ulster Unionists are pleased that the local ministers are taking local decisions. We have taken our ministerial seats and have honoured our election commitment to join the executive.
But we must always strive to improve local accountability. Ulster Unionist will be reviewing our options in light of the decisions that are made by the Executive and the behaviour of other ministers. Opposition is a real option that must be considered in the future. In addition, there is an Assembly review process underway so changes are likely to happen.
Who would have thought the DUP and Sinn Fein would be working so closely together that their leaders are commonly known as “the Chuckle Brothers”. Who would have thought that a Sinn Fein Minister would be able to regularly read out the answer to DUP supplementary answers to which he should be unaware of?
Who would have thought that an SDLP minister, disappointed with the lack of progress by the UDA in ending their illegal activity would have been subject to such abuse by the DUP?
Would it not be even healthier if the electorate had a clear choice in the future with a government and official opposition parties? It would be possible to agree new arrangements whereby the electoral could have a choice between the chuckle brothers who look after their narrow party self interests and those who are content to work together for the betterment of all of NI. With political maturity the option of voluntary coalition would be possible. I am content that at present that the UUP should remain in the executive but we must review this situation in light of the behaviour of both the DUP and SF.
We should be dealing with real political issues. For example how will the recently announced budget effect the under funding in Children’s Services within the NHS. Children services in NI are 30% under funding compared to the rest of the UK. A recent report highlighted that our local Homefirst funding for Children’s services was the lowest of any health region within NI.
Why has the funding for OFMDM continued to increase at a higher rate than health? Is it because the Chuckle Brothers Ian and Martin now control OFMDFM. Would we not be better letting all our children get a better start to life by diverting the increased funding to children’s services? That’s what real politics should be about.”