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S. E. A. Statements

Sinn Fein guilty of collusion---McCann

Eamonn McCann, Socialist Environmenmtal Alliance candidate in Foyle, speaking at anti-water charges meeting in St. Joseph's Community Centre, Galliagh, Thursday evening, February 22nd.

Thursday 22nd February 2007

Sinn Fein is warning people on the doorsteps that if they get back into government they will behave the same way the SDLP did in the 1970s.

They are telling people to be obedient to the British government and pay their water charges---or else they'll end up like the rent and rates strikers on the 1970s.

But Sinn Fein expects to be back in an Executive in a few weeks. So what they are saying is that, in office, they will treat people who refuse to pay water charges the way the SDLP treated rent and rates strikers in 1974.

In effect, all four main parties have done a deal with the Government on water charges. Some of them still have the brass neck to go out in public with placards complaining about collusion. They are up to their armpits in collusion, especially on water charges. As they go around canvassing, they are trying their best to undermine the non-payment campaign. Their aim is to get people to accept water charges in principle. They hope that in return for this service, Peter Hain will give them a few concessions on phasing in the charges.

The bottom line is, they are helping this unprincipled Government to impose an unfair and undemocratic tax on the people of Foyle and every other constituency. The only constructive way to vote against water charges is to vote for candidates who support non-payment.

We give notice to Sinn Fein and all the other conservative parties that we fully intend to defeat water charges, and that in the course of carrying this fight forward, we will face up to them just as we are facing up to Peter Hain and the NIO.

The SEA is asking for first preference votes against water charges. If people want to indicate their choice between the other parties, they can do this with the other preferences. But to vote against water charges, vote SEA number one.





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