The Alliance Party has written to the Secretary of State to express its continued support for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, and its disgust at the attempts by former commissioners, certain academics and nationalists politicians to discredit it. Party Justice Spokesperson, Stephen Farry commented: “Alliance continues to have full confidence in the work of […]
Alliance Councillor Naomi Long has called for the removal of paramilitary flags across East Belfast after a dispute over flags was blamed for loyalist violence in the area last night. Condemning the violence, Cllr Long said that it was time that all paramilitary territorial markers were removed to reduce tension in East Belfast. Cllr Long […]
East Belfast Alliance Councillor Naomi Long has called for paramilitary organisations to remove Confederate flags that have been illegally erected on lampposts in parts of east Belfast. Cllr Long said that a number of Confederate flags – often associated with racism in the USA – have joined illegal displays of paramilitary flags in the area. […]
ALLIANCE has accused the SDLP of trying to undermine the Agreement, after the nationalist party said Northern Ireland elected representatives should have a postal ballot to elect representatives to the Republic’s Seanad. Alliance Leader David Ford said: “The SDLP’s proposals for representation from Northern Ireland in the Seanad drives a coach and horses through the […]
Castlereagh Alliance Councillor Michael Long has called for changes to the planning process to make it more accountable and better reflect public opinion. Cllr Long was speaking after the Planning Appeals Commission’s recent decision to approve a planning application for a bookmaker’s shop at 43 Rosetta Road despite massive local opposition. Cllr Long said: “Alliance […]
Introducing Hate Crimes legislation into Northern Ireland sooner rather than later would ensure that those behind attacks on members of ethnic minorities get stiffer sentences, an Alliance Councillor has said after a racist attack on a Muslim family in Portadown. Councillor Tom Ekin, whose South Belfast constituency has suffered a number of recent race-related attacks, […]
by David Ford, Leader of Alliance There are two common views on the Agreement which are still heard after five years. The first is that everything is still dreadful and it is all the fault of the Agreement. The second is that everything is now perfect under the Agreement, once we just tidy up a […]
“Residents of South Belfast will no doubt be puzzled to see from a leaflet recently delivered throughout the constituency that Monica McWilliams is campaigning for free personal care for the elderly.” “They may be interested to discover that Ms McWilliams actually voted against the introduction of free personal care for older people on June 24 […]
East Belfast Alliance Councillor, Naomi Long, has expressed her disappointment that the mobile phone mast at the junction of Cairnburn Road and Old Holywood Road will not be relocated to Belmont Park. Following a campaign by local residents and political representatives to have the mast re-sited within Belmont Park and screened from public view, local […]
ALLIANCE Education Spokesperson Eileen Bell has said that future transformation of two North Down schools to integrated status shows that parental support for integrated education is on the rise. Parental ballots at Groomsport Primary and Glencraig Primary showed unanimous support for the two schools to transform to integrated status. Mrs Bell, who is a former […]