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Talks intensify at Stormont over anti-Brexit axis ahead of Westminster poll

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood: "From the beginning of her tenure as British Prime Minister she has shown very little but disinterest and disdain for this place.. Picture by Hugh Russell
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood: "From the beginning of her tenure as British Prime Minister she has shown very little but disinterest and disdain for this place.. Picture by Hugh Russell SDLP leader Colum Eastwood: "From the beginning of her tenure as British Prime Minister she has shown very little but disinterest and disdain for this place.. Picture by Hugh Russell
By John Monaghan

TALKS are set to intensify at Stormont today over the possibility of an electoral pact between pro-Remain parties ahead of June's Westminster poll.

With the countdown on to the snap election on June 8, parties are coming under increasing pressure to set out their stall on plans to fight Northern Ireland's position post-Brexit.

Sinn Féin said last week that it was interested in forming a "progressive alliance" to fight against a hard Brexit.

However while the UUP and DUP are expected to agree a pact to maximise the unionist vote, Alliance is still resisting calls to form an anti-Brexit axis.

Writing in today's Irish News SDLP leader Colum Eastwood urges Alliance to form a pact "to ensure that the pro-remain majority of Northern Ireland is reflected in this election".

The SDLP leader also said he was in favour of having the SDLP, Sinn Féin and Green candidates step aside in East Belfast to leave the way clear for Alliance leader Naomi Long.

Deputy leader Stephen Farry however said the party had adopted its stance because pacts "don't work" and are "fundamentally anti-democratic".

His comments came as Green Party leader Steven Agnew, who has already indicated he is willing to join a coalition, said he would hold further meetings with all 'anti-Brexit' parties this week before setting out his party's position.

He said for "a pact to go ahead it is essential that it goes beyond the boundaries of nationalism and unionism."

The DUP and Ulster Unionists are also expected to meet today to discuss the possibility of unity candidates. The UUP has already indicated it will step aside in three of the 18 Westminister constituencies.

Meanwhile Arlene Foster is set to meet Irish language groups this week. The DUP leader will meet with west Belfast-based Pobal and other groups. The meetings come after Mrs Foster said she wanted to meet Irish speakers to "respect and better understand" the language and culture.

The move marked a shift in the DUP's stance after the party leader said in February that the party would never support an Irish language act.