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Expenses fallout may deliver poll boost for SDLP, claims Allister

By Noel McAdam

Unionist outrage over the deepening MPs’ expenses scandal could help the SDLP regain their European seat, hardline incumbent Jim Allister has claimed.

The Traditional Unionist Voice leader fears the political fallout from the barrage of allegations could assist the SDLP’s Alban Maginness to win back the seat held for so long by former party leader John Hume.

Mr Allister believes the prospect of nationalists taking two of the three seats — the other going to Sinn Fein’s Bairbre de Brun — is growing.

“It’s a concern that I have. I don’t think the SDLP has the strength to take the seat by themselves but there is a fallout from the expenses mess,” he said.

“Unionists are more likely to be offended by these scams. The unionist community is disgusted by the expenses abuses and I can see unionists who cling quite properly to the work ethic deciding that they will stay away from the polls. We are seeing an element of that on the doorsteps.

“Nationalists, on the other hand, glory in Sinn Fein MPs ripping off the British Government. There is a danger, then, that the SDLP could slip into a second seat as a result of unionist abstentions,” Mr Allister argued.

“If that were to happen, the responsibility would rest with the DUP, who are the politicians locally who have put expenses at the heart of the loss of public confidence in politicians.”

As he visited Ballyclare yesterday as part of a province-wide canvass, the former DUP MEP said he was encouraging voters not to stay at home come June 4.

His prediction came as the DUP continued its criticism of their former colleague — including the issue of expenses. Strangford MLA Simon Hamilton said: “(Mr Allister) went on radio and said he gets no allowance for food — this is demonstrably untrue.

“Now he is attacking me for asking about his travel expenses.

“Mr Allister is clearly spooked by the concept of accountability. He is happy to lob questions at other people but is running away from questions about himself. He can run but he cannot hide.”

Belfast Telegraph

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