‘Budget crisis created by British government austerity agenda’ – Murphy
Sinn Féin’s Conor Murphy has said the budget crisis facing the Executive was created by the austerity policies of the British government at Westminster.
Speaking to Newry Times, Murphy said, “It is rich for David Cameron to call on the political parties to implement the Stormont House Agreement when his government shifted the goalposts enormously by announcing plans for £25 billion in further public spending cuts.
“These cuts were not part of any agreement. The Tories have no mandate in the north for their devastating cuts agenda. David Cameron is not a neutral observer in this. The crisis the Executive is facing has been created by the austerity policies of the Tory government at Westminster.
“This is compounded by the partisan role of the British government and David Cameron’s willingness to engage with the DUP and UUP while refusing to meet with Sinn Féin.”
Murphy called on parties here to unite to fight austerity. “The austerity policies of the Tory government with their cuts to public services have created political instability and have the potential to undermine the peace and political processes
“There is still work to do to consolidate the peace process and the approach of this British government is not helping. The British Treasury has signalled that further budget raids are likely. Any discussion on a budget has to recognise that.
“We have been repeatedly asked Theresa Villiers for a breakdown of those proposed cuts and thus far we have not received an answer. The reality is that if we agree a budget – fantasy or otherwise – it could be further undermined by in-year cuts imposed by the British treasury.
“There is money in the system to protect the most vulnerable in our society. Instead however, the Tory cabinet of millionaires in London is choosing to spend up to £23billion on nuclear submarines and giving tax breaks of £14 billion to landlords while tax evasion still runs at £30 billion.
Murphy added, “That is money that could be spent on core frontline public services such as health, education and welfare. What is required is a united effort from the Executive parties to challenge the austerity agenda of the Tory government to protect the most .”
Short URL: https://newrytimes.com/?p=51320
Posted by Newry Times News
on Jun 9 2015. Filed under Politics.
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