Alliance condemns racist graffiti attack on Co Armagh family

In response to a graffiti attack targeting a young family in Forkhill, Alliance activist Jackie Coade said: “I am heartbroken for a family having to wake up to this and outraged at those who think it is okay to target others with racially motivated hate slogans. “It is extremely disappointing to see this kind of […]

Wilson: Department’s response to bridge strikes is ‘underwhelming’

Alliance Councillor Scott Wilson has criticised the Department of Infrastructure’s response to concerns over bridge strikes on the Ballysallagh Road as ‘underwhelming’. The Bangor West Councillor was speaking after correspondence revealed the Department was more set on blaming “driver error” for a number of bridge strikes – arguing they had taken all preventative measures available. […]

Armstrong calls for suspension of universal credit here

Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has called for the roll-out of universal credit here to be suspended due to a lack of clarity around planned mitigation measures. She was speaking ahead of the Department for Communities’ planned phased launch of universal credit, which is due to begin on September 27. It is designed to replace six […]

Armitage hits out at those behind racist graffiti

Alliance Councillor David Armitage has hit out at those behind racist graffiti at a community centre in East Belfast. The culprits also left a pig’s head and daubed swastikas on the wall of Inverary Community Centre in the early hours of Saturday morning. It follows recent racist graffiti written on walls in Dunraven Avenue and […]

Farry says Prime Minister’s speech a missed opportunity

Alliance Brexit spokesperson Stephen Farry MLA has said the Prime Minister’s speech around the transition period following Brexit was a missed opportunity. Dr Farry was speaking after Theresa May set out proposals for a two-year transition after March 2019, with the UK still retaining access to existing EU markets and paying into the EU budget. […]

Renovations will make City Hall more family friendly, says O’Neill

Alliance Councillor Sian O’Neill has said plans for a new family room in the East Wing of Belfast City Hall demonstrates the Council’s commitment to providing a family friendly environment. The Councillor for Ormiston – who is herself a young Mum – welcomed the plans after the latest Strategic, Policy and Resources committee gave the […]

Alliance backs public call for two language officers

Alliance Councillor Michael Long has welcomed the creation of two language officers for Belfast City Council, after a consultation showed the majority of the public favoured that approach. The consultation, which started in May, found the favoured option amongst the citizens of Belfast was for an Irish language officer, alongside an additional officer for other […]

Armstrong calls for clarity around road safety in wake of budget news

Alliance Infrastructure spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA has called for clarity from the Department for Infrastructure, after it announced its maintenance work budget was due to run out next month. The £43 million is used to resurface roads and fix potholes, however the Department has announced it is almost done, months before the end of the […]

Alliance in talks with Border Communities Against Brexit

Alliance representatives have met with the Border Communities Against Brexit campaign group to discussion opposition to a hard border in the wake of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. The delegation consisted of Deputy Leader and Brexit spokesperson Stephen Farry MLA, as well as party representatives from constituencies along the border. He said it was […]

Bradshaw joins protest to stop ‘rape clause’ in Northern Ireland

Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has attended a rally calling for the overturn of the so-called ‘rape clause,’ which effectively sees new claimants having to prove a child has been conceived via rape if they wish to claim tax credits for more than two children. The South Belfast MLA joined the protest at the […]