SDLP to press for referendum on a united Ireland

THE SDLP will seek a referendum on a united Ireland within the lifetime of the next Assembly, the party vowed yesterday.

Mark Durkan’s party said in its 33-page Northern Ireland Assembly Election manifesto it would press for a date for a referendum in the forthcoming review of the Good Friday Agreement.

Mr Durkan said the SDLP was “a progressive social democratic party” determined to tackle “conflict, division and poverty” and “deliver peace, equality and justice”.

In a foreword to the document launched in Belfast, he said: “As a positively nationalist party, we make clear our commitment to achieving a united Ireland in which the key features, rights and protections of the Agreement will endure.”

The SDLP vowed to:

Campaign vigorously for a Yes vote in a referendum on Irish unity, engaging with the unionist community to persuade them of its merits.

Expand and develop North-South co-operation across all government departments as well as an all-Ireland strategy for tackling racism, an all-Ireland charter of rights and effective incitement to hatred laws.

Resist in the review of the Good Friday Agreement any attempts to renegotiate it. The party will also propose a duty of service on parties to fully participate in and operate the power-sharing executive and North-South Ministerial Council, preventing the blocking of nominations to cross border meetings.

Argue for the transfer of policing and justice powers to one department at Stormont within two years.

Oppose efforts to put MI5 in the lead in intelligence-gathering and insist it must remain in the police, where it can be scrutinised.

Defend 50/50 recruitment quotas for Catholics and Protestants joining the police.

Create an all-Ireland Criminal Assets Bureau and compile an all-Ireland sex offenders register.

Involve trade unions, businesses and the voluntary sector in a social partnership with the Executive agreeing a five-year programme for government.

Campaign for Northern Ireland’s entry to the eurozone.

Support free nursing and personal care for the elderly.

Create an all-Ireland transport and infrastructure body to develop air and sea ports and economic corridors.