Speaking after being selected by the North Belfast Alliance Association, Councillor McAllister said she intended to help the area prosper by promoting “the good side” of North Belfast, something other parties were too busy arguing to do.
“We need to see the revitalisation of North Belfast,” said Councillor McAllister, who was elected to serve the Castle ward in the 2014 local government election.
“The main block to achieving that is the other parties. We have seen a carve-up in this constituency between the DUP and Sinn Fein, who are happy to divide areas between orange and green. The UUP didn’t care enough about North Belfast to even run here during the last election, while the SDLP are too busy infighting to concentrate on the bigger picture.
“I want to challenge the sectarianism and lazy politics that have blighted North Belfast. Now is the time to do that. We need to show our good side – the community spirit, the growing businesses and the thriving cultures.
“Alliance Ministers have carried out good work in North Belfast – from increasing educational opportunities to opening so-called peace walls. I want to continue that and I am confident the people of North Belfast will help me do that if they vote for me to be their MLA.”