Alliance Lisburn South representative Stephen Martin addressed the recent Alliance Party Conference on the issue of shared future. Stephen Martin, who is also the Party’s Policy Convenor, proposed a motion calling on the Office of First Minister & Deputy First Minister to provide a substantial re-draft of the Draft Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration.
Stephen Martin told Conference ” Alliance has always had ‘the vision thing.’ We are the shared future party but we do not own that vision. It is a vision we want everyone to passionately support and use to bring down and all the barriers that have prevented us from unlocking our full potential.
“The debate around shared future may to some seem a bit abstract, but division costs every one of us in Northern Ireland a massive amount of money every year. We all know a family member, a friend or a neighbour that has been hit hard by the downturn. Northern Ireland wastes money on separate services for the sole reason that politicians are afraid to show real leadership in advocating the benefits of tackling segregation and improving shared opportunities.”
Latest Alliance recruit, Harry Hamilton seconded the motion which was carried unanimously.
ENDS