The SDLP has been criticised after dividing in the Assembly over the
Executive's three-year programme for government - and signalling it will
also oppose the Budget.
The party's MLAs voted with Alliance against the programme.
But the
sole SDLP Minister Margaret Ritchie voted to support it and the plan was
approved overall by 60 votes to 24. If she had voted with her party, the
Social Development Minister would have been in breach of the Ministerial
Code, potentially plunging the power-sharing administration into crisis.
But despite drawing the ire of other Executive parties, former Finance
Minister Mark Durkan's party is still poised to vote against the
accompanying Budget proposals today.
The party says too many
questions remain unanswered over water reform, there is no mention of the
crucial replacement for the 11-plus as well as continued pressures on the
health budget and the lack of a children's fund.
But sources have
also insisted there is no question of the party pulling out of the Executive
to form a more official opposition with Alliance.
North Down DUP
MLA Peter Weir said the SDLP had performed a "complete U-turn" and
it was "ludicrous" for Mrs Ritchie to have supported the two
programme for government documents without party backing.
"If
I was Margaret Ritchie I would be getting worried that my colleagues were
deserting me and effectively hanging me out to dry with the electorate,"
he said.
Alliance leader David Ford argued: "The logic of the
SDLP's position is that they should now pull out of the Executive."
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