War of words as electoral pact chances evaporate

A bitter war of words between nationalist parties in Northern Ireland intensified today as the chances of an electoral pact at the next general election virtually evaporated.

Sinn Fein and the SDLP yesterday failed to strike a deal during talks over putting forward an agreed candidate to contest some of the most vulnerable unionist-held seats.

Sinn Fein chairman, Mitchel McLaughlin, accused the SDLP of failing to add any ideas to his party’s outline for an electoral strategy over the next ten years, which could see nationalists winning 11 of the 18 seats for Northern Ireland at Westminster.

But the SDLP’s Alex Attwood today insisted no real reason had been given for changing his party’s electoral strategy.

The SDLP chairman also took a swipe at Sinn Fein’s refusal to take its seats at Westminster.

"Sinn Fein outlined no credible argument as to how replacing unionist MPs who are essentially absentee, had failed to deliver for constituencies, was going to be improved by other MPs who are also absentee and would not deliver for constituencies," he said.

But Mr McLaughlin replied that 3% attendance by the SDLP’s three MPs during the last term of Westminster showed this was a "red herring".

Tensions between the two parties have been running high since SDLP Agriculture Minister Brid Rodgers announced her plans to stand for election in the West Tyrone constituency.

Mrs Rodgers, who represents Upper Bann in the Northern Ireland Assembly, will now mount a strong challenge to Sinn Fein vice-president Pat Doherty’s plans to take the seat from sitting Anti-Good Friday Agreement Ulster Unionist MP Willie Thompson.

Conceding that an electoral pact was now unlikely, Mr McLaughlin insisted that as the Assembly member for West Tyrone Mr Doherty was at a distinct advantage.

The Foyle Assembly member said: "Brid Rodgers will need a map and a driver to take her into that constituency and she will also have to deal with the contradiction of being an elected representative for a totally different constituency."