After thanking members and candidates for the hard work and dedication that led to the party achieving its best election result since 1987, Anna led delegates in a moment’s silence in memory of those who lost their lives in Wednesday’s attack on Westminster.
She said: “This is a difficult time globally for politics. But our democratic values should be what define us as a society.
“Whatever your views on politics, we should all be able to agree that we resolve our disputes peacefully; through elections, through debate and discussion and through the changing of minds.
“Alliance has always striven for that democracy. For us, the existence of power-sharing democracy is a vital part of that peace.
“Whatever happens in the coming days, democracy and peace must underpin politics here in Northern Ireland. That has to be our aim.”