An Alliance Party has called for Government and political parties to respect the independence of the International Monitoring Commission (IMC), and called for it to be allowed to do its job without interference. Speaking after leading a delegation to meet the IMC this afternoon [Wed 11th], Alliance Party Leader, David Ford stated: “Although the recent […]
Former Belfast Lord Mayor Tom Ekin has said it is time political leaders took responsibility for leading, citing Israel Prime Minister Ariel Sharon as an example. The Balmoral representative stated: “As an Alliance councillor I can vouch for the benefits of constructive talk. People from both side of the community will not let me down […]
Alliance Leader David Ford has said that the Government’s withdrawal of legislation dealing with on-the-runs must mean an end to all side deals. He stated: “This murky side deal goes back to the Weston Park talks five years ago, and has rightly resulted in complete failure. The lesson the Government must learn from this is […]
Alliance Culture Spokesperson, Alderman Kieran McCarthy MLA, has welcomed comments by Minister of State David Hanson saying that funding should be measured by the outcomes delivered from it, rather than the total amount given out. He said, however, that achieving this would require a fundamental change of culture within Government. The Strangford Assembly member stated: […]
Alliance Assembly member Naomi Long said today that people were rightly fed up with the stop-start political process, and said that a consistent effort needs to be made by local politicians and the Government to restoring the Assembly on a firm footing. The East Belfast MLA stated: “The definition of a fool is someone who […]
An Alliance Party Delegation has met with Assistant Chief Constable, Judith Gillespie, head of the Criminal Justice Division of the PSNI, to discuss the current draft Community-based Restorative Justice Protocols. It was clear that the new protocols will involve fundamental changes to the policies and practices of all existing schemes. Alliance believes that the current […]
Alliance Higher Education Spokesperson Naomi Long has condemned attacks on Catholics at BIFHE’s Tower Street campus, saying they are completely counterproductive and show an unwillingness to deal with fairness and integration in higher education. The East Belfast MLA stated: “I utterly condemn threats made against Catholic students going about their normal business an the Tower […]
Alliance Energy Spokesperson Séan Neeson has launched the party’s latest energy policy document at Carrickfergus Leisure Centre. Speaking at the event, the East Antrim Assembly member stated: “The key to a successful energy policy is similar in fact to a successful social policy — it must be based on genuine diversity. Problems such as those […]
Alliance Party Leader David Ford has expressed disgust at recent media speculation that the Secretary of State is about to table legislation to enable him to assume enabling powers regarding the transfer of policing and criminal justice, in the absence of any discussions among local parties. Notably, the Government seems set to act in a […]
Reacting to the Secretary of State’s latest threats concerning the restoration of the Assembly, Eileen Bell said that she feels Mr Hain needs to think before he speaks. Once again we see the Secretary of State using the carrot and the stick, the carrot for the extremist parties at every available opportunity, and the stick […]