Nicola Grant Workers Party Regional Spokesperson calls for a root and branch reform of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Ms Grant commenting on the flurry of political parties acknowledging that the Stormont government is clearly not fit for purpose. Said sadly I doubt that the root and branch reforms needed for transparency, openness, accountability, and citizen focused policy will not be on the check list of many of our political leaders and their respective parties. The workers party has consistently called for changes to how the Stormont Executive and the Assembly operates supposedly on behalf of the entire population of Northern Ireland.

Mandatory Coalition has been an absolute disaster and has failed in all of its obligations to those who worked hard to achieve a yes vote for the Good Friday Agreement and worked in good faith , in the hope that the “peace dividend” often spoken about, would provide life chances, opportunities, and prosperity . Especially for those communities who were marginalised, suffering from poverty, isolation, multiple deprivations, lack of housing and well paid employment , that was prevalent throughout working-class areas.

After nearly three decades the lives of working class families have steadily declined on all levels, and this can be attributed to the failure of our elected representatives to deliver on the promises made to their constituents. The constant secrecy surrounding the decision making process at Stormont has turned into a conspiracy of silence on the part of elected representatives and civil servants. The lack of freedom of information is scandalous, as is the lack of legislation going through the Assembly.

Where is the bill of rights, the anti-poverty strategy, the Good Jobs bill, and all the other promises in manifesto’s that have never been delivered on. Tinkering with the structures and processes will not deliver the changes needed to ensure transparency, openness, accountability, and a people first culture that has long been absent from our political system of government.