Politics

Sinn Féin and SDLP clash over abstentionism

John O'Dowd said the north's MPs made no difference at Westminster. Picture by Hugh Russell
John O'Dowd said the north's MPs made no difference at Westminster. Picture by Hugh Russell John O'Dowd said the north's MPs made no difference at Westminster. Picture by Hugh Russell

THE prospects of any informal electoral deal between Sinn Féin and the SDLP looked extremely unlikely last night as the parties clashed over abstentionism.

Former education minister John O'Dowd defended Sinn Féin's policy of not taking its seats at Westminster.

He claimed the SDLP were "deluding themselves and trying to delude the electorate" by arguing that MPs can make a difference for the north.

"The SDLP have been taking their seats at Westminster for decades and they still can not point to any situation where they have affected substantial change to the British government's policies," the Upper Bann MLA said.

Mr O'Dowd accused the SDLP of fielding "spoiler candidates" in constituencies it could not win, citing North Belfast and Fermanagh-South Tyrone.

"Sinn Féin aren’t intending to waste our time at Westminster speaking to empty chambers when the north is discussed."

But SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan defended his party's attendance at Westminster.

"SDLP MPs have stood strong with Labour MPs, SNP MPs, Plaid Cymru MPs and others to defeat austerity at Westminster," he said.

"While Sinn Féin MPs were sitting at home, we defeated proposals to extend the bedroom tax to people with disabilities who use a spare room to store wheelchairs."

Mr McCrossan said if Sinn Féin was serious about maximising anti-Brexit representation, the party should "stand down their own candidates in favour of people who can take the fight to the Tories".