Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Time to take on the loyalists - SDLP
I'm pleased to hear that senior SDLP representatives plan on meeting with government ministers, police chiefs and political leaders in coming days in a cross-community effort to put a stop to a wave of attacks on nationalist homes and Catholic churches.
"The SDLP has published concrete proposals for defeating loyalist violence and putting the loyalist paramilitaries out of business. We are the only party to have done so, but it is now time for others to come on board. With the feud in Belfast and this thuggish rampage across Antrim it is very clear that these gangs are putting it up to the lawful community, and we must take up the challenge. Violent loyalism can be defeated by stern police action, by removing their criminally acquired assets which fund the lavish lifestyles of the brigadiers, and by denying them the cover of spurious ceasefires," said the SDLP's Deputy Leader Dr Alasdair McDonnell.
I agree with Alasdair McDonnell and applaud the SDLP's efforts. It is apparent however that the unionist politicians need to do more. The DUP and the UUP, as well as the PUP, have more influence than the SDLP ever will.
Unionists have shown that they can tackle Republican violence. Now let's see them tackle Loyalist violence.
"The SDLP has published concrete proposals for defeating loyalist violence and putting the loyalist paramilitaries out of business. We are the only party to have done so, but it is now time for others to come on board. With the feud in Belfast and this thuggish rampage across Antrim it is very clear that these gangs are putting it up to the lawful community, and we must take up the challenge. Violent loyalism can be defeated by stern police action, by removing their criminally acquired assets which fund the lavish lifestyles of the brigadiers, and by denying them the cover of spurious ceasefires," said the SDLP's Deputy Leader Dr Alasdair McDonnell.
I agree with Alasdair McDonnell and applaud the SDLP's efforts. It is apparent however that the unionist politicians need to do more. The DUP and the UUP, as well as the PUP, have more influence than the SDLP ever will.
Unionists have shown that they can tackle Republican violence. Now let's see them tackle Loyalist violence.
# posted by United Irelander @ 12:39 AM 
© 2008 United Irelander.
