'Newtownabbey is still in the dark old years of sectarian politics'

I am sick listening to the DUP trying to justify the action they took in again grabbing senior positions in the council and attempting to justify this by saying they do share. Despite the number of times they say this the facts speak for themselves.

Sine this council was elected in 2005 there have been a total of 68 positions to be filled, including Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Chair and Vice-chair of the standing committees. These have been allocated as follows: DUP 53, UUP 6 Independent Unionist 4, Alliance 4, Independent 1. If, as the DUP say, positions had been allocated on a proportionality basis the result would have been: DUP 32, UUP 16, Independent Unionist 5, Alliance 8, SDLP 3, Sinn Fein 2, Independent 2. Clearly the DUP, by grabbing 21 positions more than they were entitled to, have frozen out non-Unionists councillors. What is the next lie they will spin to try and justify these facts?

I have been inundated with contacts by phone calls, emails and in face-to-face conversations with constituents, and others from outside the borough, who cannot believe that Newtownabbey is still in the dark old years of sectarian politics, when those involved in Stormont seem to have moved on. My response to them is that nothing has changed here in Newtownabbey. But the opportunity for people to have a positive impact on bringing change will be next year at election time - remember how your local representatives voted at the AGM of Newtownabbey Council in 2010, come out and vote for a change and move away from sectarian politics.

In effect the DUP have voted their members extra money. If you question DUP councillors about this, be prepared for 'it was nothing to do with me', 'I didn't agree with what happened', 'If I had my way it would have been different' - one wonders if they are delusional!'

Councillor Billy Webb (Alliance).