Eastwood: Parties must prepare for compromise

SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP has said that parties must enter negotiations this week prepared for the compromises necessary to restore power sharing institutions almost three years after their collapse.

Talks will resume at Stormont this Thursday, January 2, 2020 in a bid to finally restore the Stormont Executive and Assembly.

If the talks fail, British Secretary of State Julian Smith will call fresh Assembly elections.

Said the Foyle MP: “Later this week, after months of talking about partnership and compromise in TV debates and newspaper articles, political leaders have the opportunity to show that it wasn’t just talk.

“For almost three years we have been without a government to deal with hospital waiting lists, pay parity for healthcare workers, the funding crisis in our schools and the welfare cliff edge about to hit tens of thousands of families.

“It’s time to get back to work.

“The SDLP has made compromise proposals already.

“With less than two weeks to secure a resolution, all parties must be prepared to stretch themselves in the substantial common interests of all our communities.”

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