Long submits Westminster motion in tribute to Jimmy Ellis

East Belfast MP Naomi Long has submitted a House of Commons motion paying tribute to the late actor Jimmy Ellis. Mr Ellis, who famously lived in Park Avenue in Mrs Long’s constituency, died on Saturday aged 82. He was best known for roles in Z-Cars and the ‘Billy’ television plays alongside Kenneth Branagh. With tribute […]

Dickson: DUP actions will not stop DSD committee inquiry

Alliance Social Development spokesperson, Stewart Dickson MLA, has criticised the DUP members of the Social Development committee, whose continued interruptions during an evidence session into the Spotlight allegations, forced the meeting to be adjourned. The Social Development Minister was giving evidence as part of the committee’s inquiry into the allegations raised by Spotlight last year. […]

Alliance colleagues go head to head for the Schools’ Cup Final

Alliance East Belfast MLAs, Judith Cochrane and Chris Lyttle, will be cheering on their former schools at the Schools’ Cup final on Monday. Judith is a past pupil of Methodist College who will be playing Chris’ former school Sullivan Upper. Attached photo of Judith and Chris with their school scarves. Judith Cochrane MLA said: “Methody […]

Alliance selects Lisburn and Castlereagh candidates

The Alliance Party has announced its Lisburn and Castlereagh candidates for the upcoming local council elections, set to be held on May 22, this year. Sitting Councillors will be joined by a host of new faces as the group aim to achieve the highest number of elected representatives for the new Lisburn and Castlereagh Council. […]

Long calls for action on racism and xenophobia

Naomi Long MP has called on the Government to do more to combat racism and xenophobia following a series of racially motivated attacks in her East Belfast constituency and racist abuse directed at her colleague, Anna Lo MLA. Alliance MP Mrs Long highlighted the dangers of inflammatory and unbalanced debate around immigration and European Union […]

Clarke condemns security alert in Newcastle

Alliance Councillor Patrick Clarke has condemned those behind a suspicious object discovered in Burren Meadow estate in Newcastle in the early hours of Wednesday morning. The alert – which has since been declared a hoax – led to local residents having to evacuate their homes, taking refuge in the Newcastle Centre. Councillor Patrick Clarke said: […]

Long calls for specific ovarian cancer awareness campaign

Alliance MP Naomi Long has called for a targeted ovarian cancer awareness campaign to be launched in Northern Ireland. East Belfast MP Mrs Long was speaking after the launch of a report into ovarian cancer at Westminster by Ovarian Cancer Action, timed to coincide with Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. The report seeks to get widespread […]

Lo: We must increase the drawdown of EU funding

Alliance South Belfast MLA, Anna Lo, has said that Executive Departments must work together to increase the level of EU funding that we drawdown. She was speaking in an Assembly debate on this issue. Anna Lo MLA said: “Northern Ireland as a region has benefited substantially from EU Structural Funds such as the European Regional […]

Hendron welcomes resurfacing scheme for Cyprus Avenue

Alliance Councillor Maire Hendron has welcomed a £220,000 resurfacing scheme for Cyprus Avenue. The DRD Minister announced the plan on Tuesday and the scheme is set to get underway next week, aiming to improve both the footpath and road. Councillor Maire Hendron, Group Leader on Belfast City Council, said: “I am delighted to welcome this […]