UUP PARADES SPOKESMAN WISHES LORD ASHDOWN WELL AFTER MEETING
Ulster Unionist Parades Spokesman Michael Copeland met today with Lord Ashdown and his strategic review of parading body. The meeting was held at the request of Lord Ashdown and was designed to update political parties on the progress of his task.
In a statement Mr Copeland said,
“Lord Ashdown’s review body has been deliberately constructed to include within itself the diverse opinions regarding parades which are evident in wider society. They have thus far managed to operate by consensus and have produced initial findings that reflect that fact. The key to the success or failure of any future proposals will lie with the inclusion and proper consultation evidenced the early stages of this process and the ability of those parties to reflect the goodwill evident in Lord Ashdown’s team.
This must, at this stage, be encouraging as it stands in stark contrast to the dictatorial bunker mentality evidenced by the current and former Parades Commissions. All right thinking people must wish Lord Ashdown and his team well. The proof of the pudding however will be in the eating.”