|HOMEPAGE | NEWS | WORLD SERVICE | SPORT | MY BBC||low graphics | help|
|You are in: Vote2001: Northern Ireland|
Tuesday, 22 May, 2001, 14:15 GMT 15:15 UK
Seven seats prediction by SDLP
Northern Ireland's largest nationalist party the SDLP has launched its election manifesto.
Party leader John Hume said his party was working harder than any other party to"adhere to the terms of the Good Friday Agreement".
Referring to the years of the Troubles, he said that after decades of violence the opportunity for peace offered by the Agreement could not be wasted again.
Deputy leader Seamus Mallon predicted his party could increase its parliamentary seats from three to seven.
He said the extra seats could be South and North Belfast, West Tyrone and Fermanagh South Tyrone.
Mr Mallon also criticised those who he said were semi-detached from the Agreement: "People are tired of being held hostage, they are tired of those who are half in, half out."
Agriculture Minister Brid Rodgers, standing in West Tyrone, delivered part of the manifesto via videolink from her office.
She said her canvassing so far had shown that people were "sick of the narrow, self-serving policies of some parties" and fed-up with their slogans.
She said: "Representation is not about shouting, it is about doing"
The SDLP manifesto calls for the abolition of the 11-Plus and it wants GP fundholding replaced with a more accountable modern system.
It calls for shortages in the health service to be addressed and greater resources for primary health care.
Alban Maginness, who is the SDLP candidate for North Belfast, said the party wanted to see emergency legislation on terrorism abolished and enhanced powers for the Human Right's Commission.
The manifesto also calls for a £5 minimum wage, new laws against racial harassment, the establishment of an envronmental agency and more efforts for energy recovery.
On Europe Mr Hume said the SDLP was the only party which had built links with sister parties right across the EU.
The SDLP slogan is "It's working, let's keep building." The party is contesting all 18 constituencies.
08 Mar 01 | Facts
The peace process 1998 - 2001
15 Mar 01 | Key People
John Hume: SDLP leader
08 Mar 01 | Party Policies
SDLP: The peace process
12 Mar 01 | Parties
Social, Democratic and Labour Party
22 Mar 01 | Party Policies
22 Mar 01 | Party Policies
SDLP: Transport and Environment
15 Mar 01 | Party Policies
SDLP health policies
|^^ Back to top
VOTE2001 | Main Issues| Features | Crucial Seats | Key People | Parties | Results & Constituencies | Candidates | Opinion Polls | Online 1000 | Virtual Vote | Talking Point | Forum | AudioVideo | Programmes | Voting System | Local Elections
Nations: N Ireland | Scotland | Wales
To BBC News>> | To BBC Sport>> | To BBC Weather>>