“The party will continue with the work in progress to ensure upfront delivery..”
The BBC reports the resolution passed by the DUP’s ruling executive on the St Andrews Agreement [not yet online online here] and, like the Sinn Féin motion passed by their Ard Chomhairle, it’s neither ‘yes’ nor ‘no’ but ‘maybe’. The ‘maybe’ relates directly to the issue of policing Updated
The DUP said: “As Sinn Fein is not yet ready to take the decisive step forward on policing, the DUP will not be required to commit to any aspect of power sharing in advance…”
From the BBC report
The DUP said: “As Sinn Fein is not yet ready to take the decisive step forward on policing, the DUP will not be required to commit to any aspect of power sharing in advance…”
It said it recognised that other aspects of the British and Irish governments’ proposals for achieving devolution “required more work”.
“The party will continue with the work in progress to ensure upfront delivery by government and republicans,” the DUP said.
“The party officers will pursue all the remaining issues and report back before the central executive committee, which is the only body that can take a binding decision, considers the matter.
“The DUP reiterates the need for the government to deliver on the outstanding issues presented to it by the party.”
It’s interesting to note the comparison the BBC makes between the DUP resolution and the SF motion
The statement fell short of an outright endorsement of the two prime ministers’ plan for reviving power sharing.
Sinn Fein this week gave its qualified support to the St Andrews road map.
I’m not convinced that there is justification for the apparent discrepancy in descriptions of the two statements.
ANYway.. it leaves only 1 day to do it.. So, expect ambiguity to take over..
Adds The DUP statement on the St Andrews Agreement
“The DUP in keeping with the outcome of its consultation process wants to build on the areas of progress made at St Andrews whilst recognising that other aspects of the proposals require further work. The Party will continue with the work in progress to ensure up front delivery by Government and republicans. The Party Officers will pursue all the remaining issues and report back before the Central Executive Committee, which is the only body that can take a binding decision, considers the matter.
The DUP reiterates the need for the Government to deliver on the outstanding issues presented to it by the Party.
The DUP holds to its long standing position that there can only be an agreement involving Sinn Fein when there has been delivery by the republican movement, tested and proved over a credible period, in terms of support for the PSNI, the Courts and the rule of law, a complete end to paramilitary and criminal activity and the removal of terrorist structures.
The refusal by Sinn Fein even to begin giving support to the PSNI, the Courts and the rule of law has clear adverse implications for the timetable laid out at St Andrews. Indeed, republicans are retreating to their pre St Andrews position.
The Government stressed, before, during and after the St Andrews talks that the twin pillars for agreement are DUP support for power sharing and Sinn Fein support for policing. Clearly as Sinn Fein is not yet ready to take the decisive step forward on policing, the DUP is not required to commit to any aspect of power sharing in advance of such certainty.”
It always amazes me how the DUP prepare statements BEFORE these big set piece meetings. Makes a mockery of thier “democratic” credentials by stifling any debate. Nil Desperandum?
Whilst the DUP have made a statement not much different than Sinn Fein’s they’ve completely messed up its presentation.
Neither no or yes, what the feck is that?
Watch what happens now. Sinn Fein will be seen as giving a conditional yes but the DUP a potential no.
Stupid stupid.
statements issued in advance; fixed consultation processes withthe grass roots;private meetings of the party executive filtering down to the embership; leading liberal members making all the media running (Jeffrey and Arlene the new Dermot and Gimp)…..
it’s deja vu all over again!!!
“it’s deja vu all over again!!!”
But without the large hardline party sitting waiting to gobble up the votes. So, can anything happen other than a split?
Unfortunately the unionist population did give the DUP a pretty convincing mandate. It is as though, mesmerised by the headlights of Paisley’s posturing, we have not so much “lions led by donkeys” as rabbits led by jackasses.
Rory
By and large the unionist population is pretty relaxed over StAA, assuming it is as the DUP say.
Sure not happy about some elements but not about to take to the streets over it either. Its realpolitik and the unionist populous seem, by and large, to be be grunting a bit, nodding their heads and returning back to their remote controls and dinners.
the voters have detached from the political process, they have little faith in their politicians, there-in lies the danger for the DUP, if they piss about to long they may feel the backlash come the election, remember, Churchill won the war, was loved by the people and lost the election!
Huff huff huff,the dupers strike another blow for intransigence.