Ritchie Says Cameron Speech Was Dog Whistle Politics

South Down MP Margaret Ritchie (SDLP) has said David Cameron’s speech to the Conservative Party Conference shows a party out of touch with people in Northern Ireland. Ms Ritchie said: “David Cameron’s speech was dog-whistle politics from a Prime Minister who is totally out of touch with the reality for most people. This speech was aimed squarely at potential Tory voters in key marginal constituencies in England and to woo back those who are flirting with UKIP but it will do nothing for people in the north of Ireland. “He announced a series of unfunded tax breaks, which according to the IFS will primarily help those on middle and higher incomes. Cameron’s tax cuts are worth over two-thousand pounds for most of the top 10 per cent earners and nothing for the lowest earners according to the Social Market Foundation. “These Tax cuts will also cost twice the amount George Osborne claims he will save from his benefits freeze. It is clear where this government’s priorities lie and who will suffer the most from another Tory government. “I am also concerned about the commitment to abolishing the Human Rights Act and can have no faith given this government’s appalling record on providing a much-needed Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland. “This is a British Prime Minister who is sleep-walking the UK out of the EU – a move that could have disastrous implications for Northern Ireland. The Tory party are being led down a blind alley by Nigel Farage – a leader whose party doesn’t have a single MP.”