Swann reveals plan for ‘positive’ unionism
PRO-LIFE campaigners have accused the SDLP of “a grotesque attack on free speech and unborn babies”.
It comes after the party suspended three Belfast councillors for failing to support a motion which alleged women were being harassed outside abortion advice clinics.
The trio was disciplined for refusing to follow the party line and back calls to end anti-abortion campaigners approaching women as they visited the Marie Stopes centre in Belfast.
Those suspended are SDLP NEW Ulster Unionist leader Robin Swann will today spell out his vision for a more “non-threatening, positive” unionism.
Mr Swann is the sole candidate at the party’s annual general meeting where his nomination to replace Mike Nesbitt will be ratified.
After five years as leader, Mr Nesbitt resigned on the day of the last Assembly election vote count when the UUP fell from 16 seats to 10, down from the third largest to fourth largest Assembly party.
After emerging as the lone nominee, Mr Swann has maintained a low public profile.
He has been involved in the ongoing Stormont negotiations, where the party’s main spokesman has been Fermanagh-South Tyrone MP Tom Elliott. Meanwhile last night, Sinn Fein repeated warnings that Northern Ireland faces yet another election as crisis talks to restore Stormont head into their final week.
The five main parties were locked in discussions yesterday — though the signs emerging were pessimistic. MLAs normally take Fridays to focus on their individual constituencies but teams from the DUP, Sinn Fein, SDLP, Ulster Unionists and Alliance remained in meetings with the British and Irish governments.
Sources last night said contacts would be maintained over the weekend. From Monday there are effectively five days left to try to reach agreement.
Secretary of State James Brokenshire said he will make a call on the state of negotiations over the Easter weekend — April 15 and 16.