SDLP criticised as flags, images and rubbish are prohibited from bonfires
Mid Ulster DUP councillor, Paul McLean has accused the SDLP of ‘trying to out-green and outflank Sinn Fein’ after party members accepted and passed a Sinn Féin amendment to their motion on the contentious issue of bonfires.
The original motion, which was tabled by SDLP’s Christine McFlynn at this month’s meeting of the Mid Ulster Council on Thursday evening, had called on the council to ‘strongly oppose’ the illegal burning of tyres on bonfires.
However during the meeting, Sinn Féin’s Cathal Mallagan proposed that rubbish, flags, election posters and images of individuals, should also be prohibited. Speaking to Derrynow.com, Councillor McLean stated that whilst his party had no issues with the thrust of the motion in requesting the council to work with the various agencies to dis-encourage the use of tyres on bonfires, it was a ‘foolish’ move for SDLP.
He said: “It was somewhat foolish for the SDLP, knowing full well that Sinn Féin would grasp the opportunity to make further restriction and exploit this issue for their own political ends. “However it was more surprising when the SDLP abandoned their own motion and fully supported Sinn Féin’s amendment.
“In introducing the motion, we heard placid words from the SDLP that they were ‘not being sectarian’ and that they were ‘not trying to stop anyone from celebrating their culture’ yet they did a backward summersault and again we witnessed that their actions speaks louder than their words,” added Mr McLean.
The Magherafelt man continued: “Unionists once again witnessed first-hand a combined effort by republicans/nationalists to eradicate, erode and remove our Unionist and Loyalist culture by placing restrictions upon us. In other words - you may celebrate, however you do it with our consent.
“If the SDLP were genuine about the environment then why wait until the beginning of the loyalist cerebrations to bring such a motion and then why support Sinn Féin’s amendment when they would have had enough votes between the UUP, DUP and themselves to have their motion carried,” added Paul.
He added: “The SDLP’s group leader, Tony Quinn expressed anger at my comments however his actions over the past number of months are best likened to a ‘snake in the grass’ approach, smooth, slimy, placid words, but venom in the action as he continues to lead his SDLP colleagues in blatant republican actions trying to out-green and outflank Sinn Féin.
“Unionist councillors have been continually working with our various community groups, encouraging them to celebrate our Orange and Loyalist culture with safety and the environment in mind,” concluded councillor McLean.