Belfast News: The Lady's Not For Turning

SDLP leader Margaret Ritchie has described Sammy Wilson's Budget which is endorsed by both the DUP & SF, as indistinguishable from what a direct rule administration would have implemented. Whilst describing it as 'lazy and unimaginative', the SDLP's formal response warns it could cost 9,000 jobs.

The budget, which will face its final vote in March, 'must be improved' before the SDLP can support it and as tensions at Stormont grow, there are questions regarding whether the UUP will support it amid claims that they and the SDLP are undermining the executive from within.

Mrs. Ritchie, now dubbed the 'Iron Lady' of Northern Ireland politics, appears in no mood for u-turns, stating, 'We are absolutely duty bound to use the budget, our only real economic lever, to rebalance and stimulate the economy with a focus on job creation.'

With the public consultation over, more than 4,000 responses received, it falls to the final vote of the Executive on the budget plans.

Editorial

Unfortunately, the Northern Ireland Assembly appears to many people to be an expensive way of doing precious little and is even recognised by our own politicians as being of little more benefit than direct rule. The sad thing is that the two main parties don't appear capable of change, there appears no desire to think outside the box, with public suggestions and proposals, ignored and not given the courtesy of even a response.

Few members of the public ever take part in these types of consultations, believing their views will simply be ignored and that it is just Stormont going through the motions. If any of the draft budget proposals are known, then it is the plastic bag tax of 15p, now opposed by activists and businesses alike. In principle, it could reduce the number of bags used, however in practice it could leave the company picking up the tab, for many may simply refuse to pay the tax but still purchase the products and replace them, un-bagged back into the trolley, which would make theft / loss prevention across all main stores a nonsense. 

It would appear this budget could be remembered for all the wrong reasons, but its by no means in the bag! 

Last Updated: 21st February 2011