We hear a lot of discussion about the need for political leadership, but precious little evidence of it from those who claim the biggest electoral mandates. Leadership is all about taking people to where they are reluctant to go, but are happy when they get there. Leadership requires courage and risks unpopularity. Leadership, in short, […]
As adverts are published for members of the new Policing Board, Alliance Leader David Ford has attacked Ministers for an ‘apartheid approach’ to governing Northern Ireland. David Ford said: “Anyone who responds to the current adverts will find that Ministers do not want the best people on the Policing Board. Instead, applicants will be judged […]
Alliance Local Government Whip Stewart Dickson has angrily slammed the UK Government as it announced proposals to raise the pension age to 67. The Carrickfergus Alderman stated: “These proposals amount to nothing other than punishing the poor. “In general working people in deprived areas do not live as long. These proposals will simply deny them […]
Alliance Sports spokesperson Michael Long has queried Government proposals on the size of the new stadium for Northern Ireland. The Castlereagh Councillor stated: “A lot of the debate on the new stadium is missing a central issue, namely the capacity. Regardless of where it goes, frankly I see little chance of a 42,000-seater being filled […]
Alliance Party Leader David Ford heads a delegation to London tomorrow [Wed 16th] to meet Westminster parliamentarians. They will discuss constructive amendments to the bill, focusing on three issues: the guaranteed safe return home of innocent exiles to their home communities, the requirement that beneficiaries of the legislation appear before court in person, and consideration […]
Speaking before travelling to Westminster to brief members of both Houses of Parliament on the dangers of the Government’s plans for dealing with paramilitary fugitives from justice, Alliance Leader David Ford has emphasised that Parliament can defeat the current plans. He will call on both Conservative and Liberal Democrat members to vote down the current […]
Alliance sports spokesperson Michael Long has called on rugby and soccer authorities in Northern Ireland to act quickly to ensure the construction of a new stadium and the participation of Belfast in the 2012 Olympic games. The Castlereagh Councillor stated: “2012 offers a tremendous tourism and leisure opportunity for Belfast, with the UK hosting the […]
Alliance Assemblyman Kieran McCarthy today called for parties to start acting responsibly on financing better public services, including an improved roads infrastructure. The Ards Alderman stated: “No one doubts that the state of our roads is deteriorating. However, it is not enough for public representatives simply to call for ‘more money’. Tough decisions need to […]
Alliance Castlereagh Councillor Michael Long said today that attacks in Northern Ireland’s hospitals this weekend show that a review of how we keep nurses and other health professionals safe is long overdue. Cllr Long, himself a health professional, stated: “I am disgusted by attacks on staff and property at the Ulster Hospital and elsewhere in […]
Alliance Party Justice Spokesperson Stephen Farry has queried how Government legislation on paramilitary fugitives can possibly be deemed to apply to the security forces. Cllr Farry stated: “The Government claims that the legislation it published on Thursday applies to the security forces equally. Yet it is very difficult to see how this is. “Section 1(1) […]