Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has asked for urgent clarification after a Conservative MEP made reference to unionists being “prepared to fight” to remain in the UK.David Campbell Bannerman tweeted saying: “The unionists in 1913 were prepared to fight Britain to stay in the United Kingdom through the Ulster Volunteer Force. They have asserted their rights […]
Alliance Education spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has said only a Bengoa-style review of the education system here is urgently needed, after it was revealed the system was “coming close to a tipping point”. The claim was made by Comptroller and Auditor General Kieran Donnelly in a report into the financial health of schools. It found […]
Alliance Brexit spokesperson Stephen Farry MLA has said people need to be “calm and measured” in their language around the proposed Brexit backstop.Dr Farry was speaking after the DUP’s Nigel Dodds said discussions on the backstop was “now clearly turning into a battle for the union itself”. “Now is the time we must all stand […]
Alliance Carrick Castle candidate Lauren Gray has said this week’s by-election is an opportunity for the people of the area to have their say on the type of politics they want.Lauren said the positive leadership shown by Alliance was reflected in the support she had received from locals throughout the by-election campaign. “Throughout this entire […]
Alliance Councillor Karen Douglas has condemned an attack on a man in the Lismore Avenue area of Bangor. The man, believed to be in his 40s, was attacked in the early hours of Saturday morning by four masked men wielding hammers. Councillor Karen Douglas said: “This was a disgusting attack and must be condemned by […]
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has welcomed the announcement cannabis-based medicinal products will be made available in Northern Ireland on the same basis as in the rest of the UK from next month. Doctors here will be able to prescribe cannabis products to patients from November 1, the Department of Health confirmed. “It makes […]
Alliance Communities spokesperson Trevor Lunn MLA has said the Government has let down working parents by ending the Childcare Voucher Scheme. Mr Lunn said last week’s closure of the scheme to new applicants showed the Government did not listen to evidence showing working parents would be disadvantaged through its closure. “Many local parents use the […]
Alliance Chief Whip Kellie Armstrong has said today’s Ashers judgement does not “provide an excuse for discrimination” for businesses after the Supreme Court ruled in its favour.Ms Armstrong was speaking after the bakery firm won its appeal over a previous ruling that its refusal to make a cake backing marriage equality was discriminatory. “Alliance’s preference […]
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has said there is a need to incorporate mental wellbeing into all aspects of everyday life. The South Belfast MLA was speaking on World Mental Health Day. She said mental health was often “the poor relative” in the health system. “Mental health conditions affect around one in four people […]
Alliance Brexit spokesperson Stephen Farry MLA has expressed deep concern after the Brexit Secretary made repeated references to the proposed Brexit backstop being temporary or time-limited. Dominic Raab was speaking during a statement to the House of Commons. Dr Farry said it was at odds with prior commitments made by the UK Government in the […]