Not the most auspicious of defections (are any of them, ever? – Ed), nor an auspicious date to be forced into one by your own hand. But Ian Parsley writing on his logo-less but still Alliance-liveried blog give his reasons for jumping ship in some detail and length…
Far from negating my commitment to the causes the Alliance Party believes, my move should be seen as an attempt to drive forward those values. Without the party’s work, in which I have played a small part, on the promotion of issues such as integrated education, costs of division and shared neighbourhoods, it is unlikely the prospective next UK Government would be making any of these issues a priority. I understand that many in the Alliance Party will not share my preference for a Conservative Government after the next General Election, but I trust they will recognise the value of having many core Alliance issues placed high on its agenda for Northern Ireland after it.
Fine sentiments, but not likely to be shared by his former party colleagues and friends…
One more report on the defection of one of Northern Ireland’s few recognised Up and Coming politicians to come later tonight…
Mick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty
Discover more from Slugger O'Toole
Subscribe to get the latest posts to your email.
