UUP To Form Official Opposition At Stormont

The Ulster Unionist Party is to form the first Official Opposition within the Northern Ireland Assembly, Leader Mike Nesbitt has confirmed.

Mr Nesbitt made the announcement to the Assembly today, 12 May.

Mr Nesbitt said: "On Tuesday, it became clear the Programme for Government will not be finalised until the end of the year, seven months away. On that basis, our primary test of whether it is a progressive Programme for Government, has failed.

"Our second test was whether we sensed a will to collectively deliver the Programme and that has also failed, as it is clear the DUP and Sinn Féin will retain joint ownership of the Programme for Government.

"Given the evidence that little is about to change, and we face another five years of DUP / Sinn Féin carve up and mutual veto, we are convinced the right thing to do for the country is to forego our entitlements in government and establish an Official Opposition, to both scrutinise the work of the next Executive and offer the electorate something different next time around."

The SDLP is still undecided about whether or not to join an opposition.

(CD)