Northern Ireland

Some prize quotes from the Stormont election

DUP leader Arlene Foster launches the partys manifesto in the Stormont Hotel Picture Mal McCann.
DUP leader Arlene Foster launches the partys manifesto in the Stormont Hotel Picture Mal McCann. DUP leader Arlene Foster launches the partys manifesto in the Stormont Hotel Picture Mal McCann.

Here is a collection of some of the more memorable quotes from Stormont's snap election campaign:

"If you feed a crocodile it will keep coming back for more." - DUP leader Arlene Foster on resisting Sinn Fein demands for an Irish Language Act.

"See you later alligator." - Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams' response.

"I will be transferring from my Ulster Unionist votes to the SDLP." - Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt pledging to support a nationalist candidate with his second preference vote.

Mike Nesbitt, the Ulster Unionist leader has denied he made a mistake by saying he intends to give the SDLP his second preference in the Assembly election.
Mike Nesbitt, the Ulster Unionist leader has denied he made a mistake by saying he intends to give the SDLP his second preference in the Assembly election. Mike Nesbitt, the Ulster Unionist leader has denied he made a mistake by saying he intends to give the SDLP his second preference in the Assembly election.

"We are not going to try and convince people to vote beyond us." - SDLP leader Colum Eastwood declining to reciprocate Mr Nesbitt's pledge.

"I confirm that I will be advising my supporters to give their second preference vote to the only other unionist candidate standing in the constituency." UUP veteran Danny Kennedy, one of many party colleagues who refused to follow their leader's lead.

"The lothario of Northern Ireland politics." - Alliance leader Naomi Long claiming the UUP had a long history of courting other parties.

"If you vote for Mike, you will get Michelle, that's the reality." Mrs Foster claiming the UUP strategy would only benefit Sinn Fein northern leader Michelle O'Neill.

"People voted for you the last time and they got Martin McGuinness, and he wrote your resignation letter." Mr Nesbitt's comeback, noting how Mr McGuinness's resignation forced Mrs Foster from her job as first minister.

"Everybody has a right to remember their dead no matter who you are or what your political perspective is." Mrs O'Neill addressing a controversy around her attendance at a commemoration for four IRA men.

Michelle O'Neill addresses a crowd at Clonoe Church in Coalisland
Michelle O'Neill addresses a crowd at Clonoe Church in Coalisland Michelle O'Neill addresses a crowd at Clonoe Church in Coalisland

"We were delighted we were able to raise that amount of money." DUP MP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson after revealing that a little-known business group called the Constitutional Research Council bankrolled the party's £425,000 pro-Brexit campaign in the EU referendum.

The pro-Brexit ad that appeared in the Metro newspaper
The pro-Brexit ad that appeared in the Metro newspaper The pro-Brexit ad that appeared in the Metro newspaper

"I've man flu." Mrs Foster at the DUP manifesto launch, where she cited ill health as the reason for not fielding media questions.

DUP leader Arlene Foster launches the partys manifesto in the Stormont Hotel Picture Mal McCann.
DUP leader Arlene Foster launches the partys manifesto in the Stormont Hotel Picture Mal McCann. DUP leader Arlene Foster launches the partys manifesto in the Stormont Hotel Picture Mal McCann.

"There can be no return to the status quo." Mrs O'Neill's oft-repeated warning that change is needed before Sinn Fein returns to Stormont Castle.

"I wouldn't care what sort of situation I face as long as I'm out of Europe." DUP man Nelson McCausland in a debate on the potential impact of Brexit on Northern Ireland.

"Devolution belongs to the people - it should not be removed because some parties are not capable of the challenge and the compromise of being in government." Colum Eastwood, making the case for a clear out at Stormont Castle.

"Drain the swamp." Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) leader Jim Allister borrowing a Donald Trump phrase to call for a major Stormont shake-up.

"We are the only party not expected to lose seats in this election." Green Party leader Steven Agnew.

"I am thinking Moy Park would be a good example." People Before Profit leader Eamonn McCann identifying the major poultry producer as one of the companies his party would like to nationalise.

"What about a wee bit of respect, Michelle?" Arlene Foster chiding Mrs O'Neill for interrupting her during a televised leaders' debate.

"What about some respect for the public, Arlene." Mrs O'Neill's retort.

Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill and DUP leader Arlene Foster
Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill and DUP leader Arlene Foster Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill and DUP leader Arlene Foster