The SDLP election slogan is 'Stronger'. Quite simply, we
are. We have a stronger record of delivery in local government than any
other party across all the council areas. We have a proud record of
representation and hard work in local constituencies. We have fought
long and hard for equality and rights for all.
We continue to stand strong in our opposition to violence,
intimidation, criminality and paramilitary behaviour. Indeed, many of
our representatives have suffered because of this, but no amount of
intimidation can prevent the SDLP from campaigning for justice and
standing up for human rights.
In recent weeks, we have been witnessing the power of decent
people taking a stand for democratic standards and we urge people to
help keep on the positive pressure by returning a strong vote for the
SDLP.
Seven years ago the people of this country voted for a new future.
The failure, however, of Sinn Féin and the unionists to work
inclusively and to deliver what was set out in the Agreement has
resulted in political instability, wasted opportunities and increasing
polarisation.
The democratic will of the people of Ireland, both Nationalist
and Unionist, as expressed in the Good Friday Agreement, has been
thwarted and the hopes of the people have been betrayed.
Devolved institutions have collapsed. Tribalism and
sectarianism have worsened, not lessened. Intransigence and voting for
the hard-line parties has led us into a political dead-end.
We continue to live with direct rule ministers squeezing
education budgets and pushing ahead with water charges – despite the
evident public opposition – and taking decisions that have no basis in
local need.
The SDLP want a social democracy where people can be Nationalist, Unionist or neither as they choose.
We want an Ireland truly united by consent; a society where
people live in partnership, equality and mutual respect, where
paramilitarism and its associated criminality is not tolerated.
This is what we have always stood for and our record shows
it. The SDLP has never made claims that we cannot support; the SDLP can
be, and always could be, trusted on our word.
We are telling people that to vote for anyone else is to stay
stuck in a rut. We are telling people that to stay at home will change
nothing and is likely to result in more of the bickering, intransigence
and self-serving nature we have of the two extremist parties, who have
failed to reach agreement and who have failed to deliver.
The SDLP have a better way to a better Ireland. We continue to
stand strong for agreement between all the people of this island as the
only path to a positive peace; we continue to stand strong for
inclusive democracy and a lawful society; we continue to stand strong
for a positive and peaceful future.
