
SDLP Continue to Move Away from Grassroots with Vote for Queen’s Jubilee, Whilst Sinn Féin Look On…
On foot of votes at Derry & Strabane Council, Aontú Deputy Leader & Cllr for Mid Ulster Denise Mullen has hit out at the embrace of the British monarchy by the SDLP and the abstention of Sinn Féin at the Derry & Strabane Council vote on the motion.
Cllr Mullen: “It is puzzling how on the 50 the Anniversary of the Bloody Sunday Massacre by the British Parachute regiment, SDLP Cllrs at Derry & Strabane Council voted for a motion for Derry to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of the British Monarch. This is the same monarchy that has occupied Ireland for over 900 years and which honoured the perpetrators of Bloody Sunday.
“Even more inexplicably, Sinn Féin abstained on the motion at council. Yet at Mid Ulster Council, Aontú was supported by the SDLP and Sinn Féin in opposing attempts to honour the British monarch. Why are the SDLP and Sinn Féin celebrating the Queen in one county, but then opposing the monarchy in the next? Forget operating on a 26 and 6 county basis, both are operating on a county-by-county basis.
Aontú is an Irish Republican Party. We believe that no one should have an hereditary right to power. We believe that all citizens are born equal and that achievement society should be on the basis of merit and character. We understand that we share this island with a substantial number of people who do look to the British Monarch as their leader. And we respect that. In a pluralist society is completely acceptable that there are a plurality of views. Reconciliation, respect and peaceful coexistence do not mean that we have to dress up in each other’s political clothes."