Extract from Statement by Seamus Mallon (SDLP), 26 April 2005

Extract from Statement by Seamus Mallon, former deputy leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) (1979-2001), and SDLP MP for Newry and Armagh (1986-2005), (Tuesday 26 April 2005)

"This is a crucially important election. We are at a watershed in terms of the political future of the island. The outcome of this election will set the agenda for a considerable time.

Will the kind of politics that we have seen now for some time continue? Or will we give people some hope that the future can be better?

There has been a manipulation of people. People need to shout a bit more about the Balkanisation of the North. That is what Sinn Fein and the DUP offer. We have to stop it. People of integrity don’t want that and should not allow themselves to be led down those lines. No electoral mandate can be used to justify this.

People in this election need to work for a North that has a decent peace and is not Balkanised. We have to avoid two parties rooted in sectarian power. Parties who have worked politics based on half truths, the threat of violence and a Stalinist approach.

I am convinced that we can put hope back into the political process. I am convinced that it can be done."