The potential to normalise politics

The Workers Party has welcomed the formation of an initial opposition by the Ulster Unionist and the SDLP but has warned that it must urgently pursue a radical agenda to differentiate it from the DUP / Sinn Fein Coalition.

The formation of an opposition at Stormont has the potential to normalise politics in Northern Ireland.

However,  it will be meaningless unless it challenges the DUP and Sinn Fein’s position on the major democratic, social, economic and political issues which are holding back progress in Northern Ireland and which are consigning us to be an 19th century society.

At a minimum the new opposition should immediately demonstrate its intentions by setting out a programme of legislation designed to address

The introduction of a Bill of Rights                             

An integrated, secular education system

Legislation to secure a woman’s right to choose

A programme for universal childcare               

A public housing programme

Civil Marriage Equality

The reinstatement of the Civic Forum

An end to fracking

The removal of the Blood Ban on gay men

Lowering the voting age to 16