Political leaders cannot keep telling people on hospital waiting lists, public sector workers who need a fair pay deal and everyone who relies on public services to keep waiting for a deal, the SDLP has said after concluding its involvement in talks at Hillsborough.
The SDLP says it will form an Official Opposition to challenge and change politics at Stormont and has engaged with everyone in the talks in line with its key priorities to restore the Executive, rescue public services and reward workers forced out on strike with a fair pay deal.
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood has called on Executive parties to now close the deal with the British Government and restore the democratic institutions at Stormont.
Said the Foyle MP: “Over the last number of days the SDLP has made our position clear to the Executive parties and to the British Government.
“The Executive should be restored without delay, we need an immediate plan to rescue public services and deal with the waiting list crisis and public sector workers forced out on strike should be offered a fair pay settlement now.
“No political leader can honestly say to people waiting for hospital treatment or to nurses and teachers demanding a fair wage that they have to keep waiting.
“It is now up to the Executive parties to close the deal with the British Government and prepare to restore power sharing.
“The SDLP will form an official Opposition to the new Executive.
“It will be our job to challenge and change the old Stormont politics.
“It’s right therefore that we are now withdrawing from the Hillsborough process to give the Executive parties the space they need to do the deal.
“People have waited long enough.”
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