Long welcomes naming of new leisure centre

Alliance Councillor Michael Long has welcomed the decision to name the new East Belfast leisure centre Lisnasharragh Leisure Centre. After a DUP proposal to keep the location’s name as the Robinson Centre was defeated at today’s Belfast City Council Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, Alliance proposed an immediate renaming, going against Sinn Féin’s proposal to […]

Blair pays tribute to pig farm campaigners after application deferral

Alliance Environmental spokesperson John Blair MLA has paid tribute to campaigners opposed to the expansion of pig farms in Newtownabbey after an application to build more was deferred by the local Council. Mr Blair spoke against the proposed pig farm at a meeting of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council on Monday night. He has consistently […]

Reforming the Petition of Concern mechanism key to unlocking the potential of devolution, says Bradshaw

Reforming the Petition of Concern (POC) mechanism is key to unlocking the potential of devolution, Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw has said. Ms Bradshaw said while the mechanism was an important tool in protecting minority rights, in practice it had often been used to block the delivery of rights, while frustrating progress. She added Alliance had […]

Alliance meets Roads representatives over safety concerns in Ards

Alliance Alderman Alan McDowell and Kellie Armstrong MLA have this week met with Department For Infrastructure Road Service representatives and the PSNI to discuss mounting road safety issues on the Movilla Road and the Bowtown Estate. Attended by representatives from all parties, the cross-party meeting highlighted a desire to see the current 40mph limit reduced […]

Dickson expresses shock after murder investigation launched

Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has expressed his shock after police launched a murder investigation following the discovery of a man’s body in Co Antrim. The deceased was found in his home on the Church Road in Glenwherry around 1pm today (Tuesday). It is understood he had been shot and had been discovered by a neighbour. […]

Blair questions whether Sinn Féin can remain on Chief Constable interview panel

Alliance Policing Board member John Blair MLA has questioned whether Sinn Féin can remain on the interview panel to appoint a new Chief Constable after Mary-Lou McDonald said she didn’t believe George Hamilton’s replacement should come from within the current PSNI leadership. The Sinn Féin president said she didn’t have confidence in the current leadership […]

Alliance slams Sinn Féin council boycott

Councillor Michael Long, Alliance Group Leader at City Hall, has slammed Sinn Féin for boycotting the Council’s Budget Panel and Party Group Leaders’ Forum after having lost a series of votes on the City Hall grounds issues in recent weeks. The Committees are attended by group leaders and give them an opportunity to discuss issues […]

McCaw hits out at those behind racist posters

Alliance Councillor Chris McCaw has hit out at those behind racist posters which have been put up in Portrush. The posters were displayed around the Girona Avenue area of the town, with Councillor McCaw saying their appearance was “disgusting”. “It is clear these posters and their underlying message are trying to sow division among people […]

Flybmi announcement ‘more than a warning sign over Brexit’ says Armstrong

Alliance Infrastructure Spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA has said Flybmi’s announcement that it has gone into administration should be more than a warning sign over the continued ambiguity around Brexit. The airline announced on Saturday night it had ceased operating, cancelling all flights with immediate effect, citing rises in fuel and carbon costs and uncertainty over […]

Moore asks for investigation into possibility of cycle path for town

Alliance Sperrin candidate Scott Moore has asked for an investigation into the potential for a cycle path through Strabane. The proposed path would run along the length of the Derry and Melmount roads via the town centre, providing a safe space for local people living near the arterial roads in the town to travel to […]