It appears that the UUP's confusion over health spending has now infected its water charges policy. UUP Deputy leader, John McCallister, on the Nolan show backed the introduction of water charges as a means to boost health spending. He highlighted a UUP 2007 manifesto pledge for a £100 water charge (if Direct Rule had implemented water charges by the time devolution was restored):
"• Capping the Direct Rule Administration’s introduction of water charges at a maximum of £100 – prohibiting any rises while the Assembly and Executive devise a fairer, more sustainable alternative."
Leaving aside the manifesto pledge being conditional on them already being introduced and presented as a temporary measure, the recent policy paper of the UUP was more circumspect on the issue:
the Ulster Unionist Partyrecognises the serious financial difficulties families are facing across Northern Ireland and recognisethat households are on average paying £160 per year servicing water charges through their rates. Wetherefore call upon the Minister for Regional Development to lay out the facts and options open to theNorthern Ireland Executive with regards to water charges – focusing on the potential increase in costto the average household in Northern Ireland if they were to be introduced. The Ulster Unionist Partyfirmly believes that an informed and time-bound debate must take place and that if water charges are
the Ulster Unionist Partyrecognises the serious financial difficulties families are facing across Northern Ireland and recognisethat households are on average paying £160 per year servicing water charges through their rates. Wetherefore call upon the Minister for Regional Development to lay out the facts and options open to theNorthern Ireland Executive with regards to water charges – focusing on the potential increase in costto the average household in Northern Ireland if they were to be introduced. The Ulster Unionist Partyfirmly believes that an informed and time-bound debate must take place and that if water charges are
"...the Ulster Unionist Party recognises the serious financial difficulties families are facing across Northern Ireland and recognise that households are on average paying £160 per year servicing water charges through their rates. We therefore call upon the Minister for Regional Development to lay out the facts and options open to the Northern Ireland Executive with regards to water charges – focusing on the potential increase in cost to the average household in Northern Ireland if they were to be introduced. The Ulster Unionist Party firmly believes that an informed and time-bound debate must take place and that if water charges are
Meanwhile John McCallister's comments led to UUP Councillor Ronnie Crawford to call for his Deputy Leader to be:
"sacked or hanged"
2 comments:
This blog certainly ain't into unionist unity! Nothing too opportunistic?
The disunity on display is within the UUP itself.
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