SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood has today (Monday) written to the British Prime Minister demanding that representation on the Joint Ministerial Council be expanded for parties in Northern Ireland given the current political stalemate at Stormont and the “unique” challenges posed by Brexit.
He said: “It is utter madness that while the Brexit negotiations are taking place, the voice of the majority of people in the North of Ireland who voted to remain is silenced.
“With the Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) set to meet next month, I’ve written to the British Prime Minister today, to demand that in the absence of an Assembly and an Executive, representation must be given to all five major parties in Northern Ireland.
“It is simply not acceptable that the DUP are the only party representing the views of the North in Westminster as the EU Withdrawal Bill makes it way through the House of Commons.
“Those views are not representative of the majority of the people who live here.
“The promise of greater involvement of the devolved administrations has not borne fruit. The SDLP is clear, consultation with Arlene Foster will not cut it.
“The British Government cannot ignore the will of the people here who voted to remain.
“While the DUP betray the will of the North by backing up the Tory hard Brexit and Sinn Fein abdicate responsibility by failing to stand up and fight the British Government in Westminster, we are demanding a seat at the table.
“Brexit is a real threat to our way of life on this island. Any suggestion of any border here must be resisted. The challenges we face here are unique and deserve careful consideration.
“If the British are sincere in their efforts to find a resolution to the challenges that face this island, they cannot and must not, be allowed to do that without working with those of us who understand the dangerous reality that Brexit will bring. With the next round of Brexit talks this month and the EU summit taking place in October there is no time to waste.
“While we in the SDLP are working with Labour and the SNP in Westminster, as well as with our colleagues in Europe and Ireland, the British Government needs to get it’s head out of the sand to start real meaningful engagement with all parties here in the North.
“A seat at the JMC would be a start,” added the Foyle MLA.
