The Assembly elections may have been cancelled but that didn't stop the SDLP faithful from turning up today to exercise their democratic rights.
In the Edge bar on the banks of the Lagan, theparty held a mock election complete with polling booths, ballot papers andsealed boxes to demonstrate its opposition to Tony Blair's decision to suspendthe vote.
Party leader Mark Durkan said the event was aimed at reflecting thefrustration felt by the community at large at not being able to vote onpolicies that matter.
"Tony Blair may have been able to prevent us from making our votes counttoday but he isn't going to prevent us from making our voices heard," he said.
Mr Durkan in his speech to party representatives said the choice was betweenperpetuating outdated enmities and developing new partnerships.
"The time has come to get on with implementing the Agreement properly.
Pulling together to draw community forward to a compassionate society, to pullemployment forward with a competitive economy and to pull public servicesforward with badly needed and well-targeted investment.
"Instead we have the tug of war where problem posing parties pull againsteach other in ways that only tether us all to the contention and tension of thepast," he said.
Those turning up to vote today were able to select from a list not of theusual political parties but of a range of issues from Equality and Human Rightsfor all, Equal access to high quality Education and Partnership Government.
The list also included more sinister candidates such as Intransigence,Paramilitarism and Sectarianism, which not surprisingly received no votes.
Speaking at the event were representatives of the business, community andvoluntary sectors and the trade unions. All expressed their anger at the loss ofthe power-sharing government at Stormont.
Mary Black, chair of the Community Foundation Northern Ireland said thesuspension of the devolved institutions was a blow to the whole community, notjust elected representatives.
Nigel Smyth, Chief Executive of the CBI said the business community was veryconcerned at what the marching season could have in store, particularly in thecurrent political vacuum.
Patricia McKeown of UNISON said the suspension of devolution had beendangerously counterproductive, adding that Direct Rule ministers wereunaccountable to the public for their actions.
Christine Patterson of Save the Children Fund said the Northern IrelandAssembly had just begun to consult with young people when the suspensionoccurred.
She called for a Bill of Rights that included clear and distinctchildren's rights.
PA