SDLP to 'hold Labour to account' over NI promises

The Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) leader has vowed to hold any new Labour government to account over the promises it has made to the people of Northern Ireland.

Colum Eastwood said he has been "let down" by Labour in the past and will "hold the party's feet to the fire" to ensure it delivers on pledges over repealing controversial legacy legislation.

Mr Eastwood also attacked Sinn Féin for believing it can go "with a begging bowl" to London and expect to get the finances it needs to meet public service demands.

He was speaking at the launch of the SDLP's general election manifesto in Londonderry on Wednesday.

The party is fielding candidates across all 18 constituencies.

It is defending two seats in Foyle, where Mr Eastwood was elected in 2019, and also South Belfast where Claire Hanna is the outgoing MP.

The SDLP is also targeting South Down where its Stormont assembly member Colin McGrath is hoping to reclaim what was once a solid seat for the party.

In its manifesto, the party pledged to cut hospital waiting lists and reform the Stormont institutions.

On legacy, Mr Eastwood said his party had secured the pledge from Labour to ditch the controversial Legacy Act introduced by the Conservatives.

"We have a relationship with Labour as they are our sister party, but we know Labour governments have a tendency to let us down so we are going into this with our eyes wide open," he said.

"The reality is if you are not there in Westminster, you don't count"

The SDLP leader also said he did not "trust" Sinn Féin's Finance Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald to secure the money needed to protect public services.

"Going to London with a begging bowl is not going to work," he said

He added the health care systems are now past the point of collapse, and that families are struggling to pay for care.

"I know people in Derry who have gone to their local credit union to get a loan out to pay for private health care because they have given up on the health system," he said

Pledges in the SDLP manifesto include:

• Reduce hospital waiting lists with additional investment in health
• Repeal the legacy act
• Improved funding model for Northern Ireland
• Campaign for an independent environmental protection agency
• Reform devolved institutions

• One hundred and thirty six candidates to run in NI
• A simple guide to the 4 July general election
• Northern Ireland's key election battlegrounds
• Who is standing in the general election in NI?