Final election debate for NI leaders
The leaders of Northern Ireland’s four main political parties have taken part in a final televised debate less than 36 hours ahead of the General Election.
DUP leader Peter Robinson, Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams, Sir Reg Empey of the UCUNF and the SDLP’s Margaret Ritchie faced questions from a studio audience in a BBC debate chaired by Mark Carruthers.
The fragile state of the economy, expenses scandals and electoral pacts were all on the agenda.
But it was over security fears and the controversial question of whether the army should return to the streets that most sparks flew.
Sir Reg Empey stressed that “renegade IRA elements are active” and pointed to recent activity in south Armagh and Newtownhamilton as evidence.
He added: “Where does the army sit in all of this?
“The answer is – if it’s needed, it should be here.”
When asked if that was a position he agreed with, Gerry Adams insisted: “Not at all”.
He hit back at the UUP leader, saying: “Reg was a practising politician in the 1970s – he wants to repeat all of those mistakes again?”
For Peter Robinson, it is “not a matter of whether Gerry Adams says yes or no”. He said that it was up to the PSNI Chief Constable to make that call and added: “If he believes the army is necessary, then we’ll support him in bringing the army into Northern Ireland – it will be a security decision, it will not be a political decision.”
But Margaret Ritchie maintained that she “didn’t think the army is the answer” and said that while the dissident threat had to be dealt with, she would not support the army’s return – “not under any circumstances”.
The debate came on the day a newspaper poll was published which suggested the fight between the DUP and Sinn Fein to come out as the top party is too close to call – with just one percent between them.
The SDLP appears to be holding its party share compared to the last election, according to the Belfast Telegraph survey. But it also shows a five percent drop in support for the UUP compared to the last election.
This year’s election is poised to be the closest in a generation and with the countdown on until polling stations open, there is still a lot to play for on the campaign trail in Northern Ireland’s 18 constituencies.
