Gray welcomes Central Primary School’s commitment to achieving integrated status

Alliance representative Lauren Gray has welcomed Central Primary School’s decision to move towards becoming an integrated school. The news was announced this week, after the principal and board took the step of balloting parents after they detected interest in integration among the school community. The parents voted to move to Integrated Status. Lauren said: “It’s […]

Listen to NI Business not DUP on catastrophe of no deal, says Farry

Speaking ahead of a crucial week in Parliament around Brexit, Alliance Party Deputy Leader Stephen Farry MLA has stressed the need for a positive decision aimed at bringing certainty and stability – ideally through a People’s Vote – adding a no deal situation would be a catastrophe for Northern Ireland. Acknowledging the renewed warnings of […]

Armstrong celebrates #BalanceforBetter this International Women’s Day

Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has praised the efforts of women in politics across Northern Ireland in keeping dialogue open between all parties. Celebrating International Women’s Day, Kellie – the newly elected Deputy Chair of the NI Assembly Women’s Caucus – said that while today places a focus on women, it’s the ongoing work of women […]

JJ Magee must clarify his comments, says McAllister

Alliance Councillor Nuala McAllister has said Councillor JJ Magee must clarify his views on crimes carried out by the IRA, after an online exchange appeared to suggest he did not. Nuala said: “In a week where victims’ issues are so prominent it is extremely disturbing that any Councillor would be so careless in an exchange […]

Alliance Seeking Assurances around Local Post-Primary Transfer

A local Alliance Party delegation this week met with the Permanent Secretary of the Department of Education, Derek Baker, and senior officials to discuss preparations for the post-primary transfer in North Down this year and a range of other education issues. The delegation comprised Stephen Farry MLA, Kellie Armstrong MLA, Chris Lyttle MLA, Cllr Karen […]

Cancer strategy development welcome but long overdue, says Bradshaw

Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has welcomed the announcement a new cancer strategy for Northern Ireland is to be commissioned but added it is long overdue. Cancer charities and health officials have been told by the Department of Health to plan for the strategy, which will identify new ways of to advance cancer care. […]

Muir welcomes Council moves to address impact of new Road Closure legislation

Ards and North Down Alliance Councillor Andrew Muir has welcomed the decision reached at the Council’s Environment Committee on March 6, to set aside funds to help local community and voluntary groups to overcome the effects of new and much criticised Road Closure legislation. Commenting on the decision, which is subject to ratification by full […]

Secretary of State now needs to show actions and not just words, says Long

Alliance Leader Naomi Long MLA has said the Secretary of State has to now show “actions and not just words” to restore confidence in her, after she apologised for her comments around legacy. The apology followed Karen Bradley’s statement yesterday, in which she said killings by the police and military during the Troubles were not […]

Secretary of State comments unwarranted and unjustifiable political interference, says Long

Alliance Leader Naomi Long MLA has said comments by the Secretary of State represent an “unwarranted and unjustifiable act of political interference” in the justice system, and undermine the rule of law, after she said killings at the hands of security forces during the Troubles were not crimes. Speaking in the House of Commons today, […]

Bradshaw demands Secretary of State guidance on cancer treatment contingency plans

Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has demanded the Secretary of State publish detailed guidance on contingency plans for the treatment of cancer after March 29. The Royal College of Radiologists has said hospitals will likely experience delays to cancer testing and treatment, with possible delays for some drugs used to detect cancer if there […]