David Ford: Looking to end "stagnation"

Alliance Party leader David Ford said a vote for either of the main unionist parties in Northern Ireland is "a mandate for stagnation".

His comments came in the wake of comments from Ulster Unionist MP David Burnside, who suggested that there could be a realignment in unionism in the medium term.

"David Burnside effectively admitted yesterday that there is now no difference between the unionist parties," said Ford.

"Both have had their chance to deliver stability. Both failed.

"They seek a mandate for stagnation, we seek a mandate for progress.

"An Alliance vote is a vote for the restoration of local decision-making and a united community in South Antrim delivering better health services, better policing and better transport facilities."

Ford is standing in the South Antrim constituency held by Burnside in 2001 with a majority of 1,011 over the DUP's Reverend William McCrea.

The Alliance Party leader will be hoping that the 3,393 votes the party secured in the constituency in the 2003 assembly elections will lead to a strong showing on May 5.

The Alliance Party is a non-sectarian party that calls for co-operation between Nationalist and Unionist communities and power-sharing. It is aligned with the Liberal Democrats.