Ford labels Unionist forum as ?tribal?

The leader of the Alliance party David Ford MLA has said that Parties should be working on a cross-community basis and not on a cross-unionist basis.

Reacting to the joint Unionist statement from the DUP and UUP, Mr Ford hit out at he termed was parties working in ?tribal blocks?.

?The only solution to deliver a shared future must come from a consensus from all groups and not from parties working in different tribal blocks. We will not achieve anything if the Unionist Parties put forward their demands on behalf of one section of the community and thus turning the debate into one in which issues are won or lost for different sections,? he said.

?What we need to do is to reach agreement on these issues for all sections and not just one grouping.

?At the weekend I wrote to all Party Leaders proposing that a leaders meeting take place which I am glad is happening on Thursday. This is a far better way to resolve difficult issues such as flags, parading and community relations. It will be very hard to reach consensus if parties revert back to their tribal silos.

?Solutions to these issues can only be found on a cross-community basis, not on a cross-unionist basis.

?The Alliance Party will continue to work on behalf of all people and I would urge Unionist Leaders to move away from just working for one group. I would remind Peter Robinson that he is the First Minister for Northern Ireland and not just the unionist community. Mike Nesbitt has previously said that he wants to work for everybody, and yet he is prioritising only one section of the community.?

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, gave his reaction:?I am looking forward to meeting with the other party leaders on Thursday, when we can discuss the current issues affecting us all. We need to move forward on all these issues jointly and on the basis of equality.

?I also call on Unionist leaders to recognise that they need to do more to bring to an end these UVF organised protests and violence.?

TUV leader Jim Allister said: ?Of course, unionists should co-operate in defence of the Union and in thus a serious forum could have a role. However, with the assault on our Unionist culture rooted in the empowerment of IRA/Sinn Fein, TUV expectations will be limited in respect of a forum initiated by those who sustain McGuinness and Co at the top and heart of government.

?This empowerment of Sinn Fein is the fountain head of the constant flow of concessions.

?A forum turning a blind eye to the source of the problem and the anti-democratic nature of the present Stormont structures is unlikely deliver a meaningful and lasting advance for unionism.

?TUV has positive proposals on the flags issue and will canvass support for definitive progress both within any forum and wider afield.

?TUV will evaluate its ongoing involvement in any forum subject to its product.?

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