SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MLA today urged the Secretary of State to bring parties together for an inclusive talks process facilitated by an independent chairperson.Speaking after meeting Karen Bradley, he said: “I met with the new Secretary of State and, of course, wished her well in her new position.
“We had a constructive discussion about the way forward.
“Unfortunately, there’s no honeymoon period with this job though and I pressed Karen Bradley on the urgent need for a new, inclusive talks process facilitated by an independent chair immediately.
“There is no time left to go through the same failed process between two parties and cross our fingers, hoping things will be different.
“Nowhere is the urgency more clear cut than in our hospitals and schools where frontline staff, patients, parents and pupils are enduring the brunt of the pain because of a failure of politics.
“That must be a basis for dialogue.
“The DUP and Sinn Féin can no longer abdicate their responsibility and they can no longer be allowed to veto dialogue between all parties.
“The process of disempowering people, on Brexit, on our health service, on schools and on public services, that has taken place over the last twelve months must come to an end.
“All parties must be prepared to come to the table now to seek a resolution to these challenges.
“After a year of stalemate, everyone must be focussed on restoring power to people here.”
