North's public 'ready to back new political alternatives'

The North's public is angered by the Westminster expenses scandal and is ready to back new political alternatives, the Alliance Party said today.

The party’s European election candidate Ian Parsley produced an action plan calling for greater financial transparency in politics.

And despite the bookies placing him as a longshot in the June 4 poll, he used his manifesto launch today to claim more and more people were backing his campaign.

“This is a positive campaign – one which enhances our opportunities in Europe, which rewards those acting responsibly, and which promotes Northern Ireland as a home to conservation, eco-tourism and the green economy,” he said.

“Most of all, I am pledged to give people a voice at the heart of Europe.

“In recent times the public has been angry with politicians over expenses and bankers over bonuses.

“I want to make Europe work more effectively for Northern Ireland – by promoting politics based not on fear but hope, by standing up for our small businesses against the excesses of the big banks, and by leading by example on making MEPs more accountable and transparent on expenses.”

On the battle to seize one of the North's three MEP seats, he added: “More and more people are turning to this campaign as a campaign which will promote not just the politics of hope, but also the politics of basic honesty.

“In this time of political disenchantment, it is time to wipe the political slate clean.”