UUP Candidate Accuses SDLP of "building a country Stalin would be proud of"

UUP MP Candidate u/FPSLover1 accused the Social Democratic and Labour Party of "building a country that Stalin would be proud of" during a campaign event in Belfast

In what was another sound defeat for respect and tolerance in a power-sharing society, fears over the UUP’s objectivity regarding Northern Ireland have been further stoked as MP Candidate u/FPSLover1 referred to the SDLP’s goal for Northern Ireland as wishing “to turn the country into something that Stalin would be proud of, destroying the economy and Britain's livelihood”. Not only was this sung aloud by the candidate but similarly handed out on printed lyric sheets as they attempted to force a sing-song atmosphere in the centre of Belfast. Something that is a well-documented fact, as only being possible on the 12th.

Initially, the UUP escaped the lion-share of controversy following the collapse of the Northern Irish Executive as the First Minister u/BoredNerdyGamer chose instead, to direct his ire at the Government and the Liberal Democrats. However, attention was inevitably turned back in their direction as two former First Ministers, including the second longest serving UUP FM, penned articles expressing disappointment at the UUP’s seeming inability to separate their duties to Westminster and their duties to Northern Ireland.

When questioned briefly at his home in Newtownards, SDLP Leader u/BoredNerdyGamer iterated that:

“...It is immensely disappointing to see a party that has pledged so much to the peace process, label myself and my colleagues with such baseless and frankly insulting rhetoric. All to get a reaction. This isn’t England, branding your opponent a communist isn’t good enough here, there are deeper forces at play and if the UUP can’t recognise this, they quite simply don’t deserve your vote.”

This was made, perhaps ironically, even more apparent when it appears that the UUP Candidate failed to recognise that Solidarity does not run in Northern Ireland, instead… the Social Democratic and Labour Party run in their place and observe their whip. Granted, a small discrepancy to some but a larger to the people of Northern Ireland.

There is certainly an argument to be made that the election of an SDLP MP would advance the cause of the Solidarity Party at large but it should still remain clear to voters that the SDLP’s primary concern is the well-being, advancement and prosperity of Northern Ireland. It was only last term that incumbent MP (and returning candidate) u/ABrokenHero promised to exclude herself from any parliamentary proceedings that did not have any bearing on the interests of her constituents, whilst in contrast, the UUP MP chose to support a Brexit deal that subverted the democratically elected Northern Irish Executive and led directly to the collapse that currently lies at the feet of this Government, and inevitably the next.

Whilst one does take a General Election campaign with a little more of a pinch of salt than one would take with an Assembly Election. The rhetoric coming from the UUP’s campaign coupled with their record for representing Westminster’s interests over Northern Ireland, will likely strike a difficult chord with Northern Irish voters in current this political climate, with pre-election polls showing a growing discontent with the incumbent party that will likely have been exasperated by their part in the recent Executive collapse. It’s not unthinkable to believe that an exhilarated nationalist vote partnered with a bashed and ashamed unionist vote, will see the long-held UUP constituency seat of Northern Ireland fall this time, to the SDLP.

It should also be noted that the next Government will more than likely involve the Conservative Party and this same government will be immediately met with the challenge of compromise with the Nationalist community of Northern Ireland in order to resume proceedings at the Executive. Regardless of the failure of their predecessors, the Government of the time will not only have to explain their role as Opposition in the Executive Collapse but also justify labelling the First Minister in-exile as a coward, opportunist and now an authoritarian communist. Something which may be difficult given that u/BoredNerdyGamer and other senior members of the SDLP are likely beyond bemused at this point of the crisis.

First Minister in-exile u/BoredNerdyGamer branded the rhetoric as "baseless and frankly insulting"

The people of Northern Ireland now have a choice ahead of them, a party which has put principles and people before Westminster politics or an incumbent who will resort to petty name-calling. We know our answer and as a result, the Parliamentary Issue officially endorses u/ABrokenHero for the Northern Ireland seat.

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- Authored by Bryan N. Gaskin on behalf of the Parliamentary Issue