Alliance representatives have welcomed money for a city deal for the Belfast region but added the Chancellor is ignoring the elephant in the room over Brexit. Councillor Peter McReynolds and Stephen Farry MLA were speaking after Chancellor Phillip Hammond announced the Budget. The city deal will mean £350 million of funding, however, it is less […]
Alliance Councillor Gavin Walker has again urged Ards and North Down Council not to ignore Brexit, after the Council consistently overruled his attempts to ensure the area was prepared. Speaking after the latest full Council meeting, Gavin said from refusing to form a Brexit committee to mitigate the impact on the borough, to being one […]
Alliance Rural Affairs spokesperson John Blair MLA has said there needs to be a focus on the future of the fishing industry here to ensure those involved aren’t punished by Brexit.Mr Blair was speaking after receiving a briefing on the consultation on the Fisheries Bill by the Northern Ireland Office. “Under the current system, the […]
Alliance Brexit spokesperson Stephen Farry MLA has said while aspects of the proposed backstop could be applied UK-wide, at its core it must remain open-ended. Dr Farry was responding to the Prime Minister’s statement to the House of Commons on the EU Council Summit last week. He said: “Alliance’s preference continues to be a People’s […]
Alliance MLA John Blair has said it is “laughable” to suggest a second EU referendum would result in a bigger majority for Leave, after the Secretary of State said it would be the case.Mr Blair was speaking after Karen Bradley made the remarks in an address at the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly in London. Mr Blair, […]
Alliance Brexit spokesperson Stephen Farry MLA has said he is disappointed further progress has not been made on the proposed backstop during negotiations between the UK Government and the EU.Dr Farry added he was further disappointed the Prime Minister refused a joint meeting request with the local Remain parties, including Alliance, over Brexit. “It is […]
Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has asked for urgent clarification after a Conservative MEP made reference to unionists being “prepared to fight” to remain in the UK.David Campbell Bannerman tweeted saying: “The unionists in 1913 were prepared to fight Britain to stay in the United Kingdom through the Ulster Volunteer Force. They have asserted their rights […]
Alliance Brexit spokesperson Stephen Farry MLA has said people need to be “calm and measured” in their language around the proposed Brexit backstop.Dr Farry was speaking after the DUP’s Nigel Dodds said discussions on the backstop was “now clearly turning into a battle for the union itself”. “Now is the time we must all stand […]
Alliance Brexit spokesperson Stephen Farry MLA has expressed deep concern after the Brexit Secretary made repeated references to the proposed Brexit backstop being temporary or time-limited. Dominic Raab was speaking during a statement to the House of Commons. Dr Farry said it was at odds with prior commitments made by the UK Government in the […]
The DUP’s stance on Brexit is endangering the Northern Ireland economy, Alliance Deputy Leader Stephen Farry MLA has said.Dr Farry was speaking after Arlene Foster met with EU Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier. He said the DUP was not representative of Northern Ireland on the issue. “The DUP is not representing this region’s economic and political […]