Northern Ireland

Election Platform: Naomi Long Alliance Party leader

Naomi Long at the  Alliance Party Manifesto laynch in the Park Avenue Hotel Belfast Picture By Hugh Russell.
Naomi Long at the Alliance Party Manifesto laynch in the Park Avenue Hotel Belfast Picture By Hugh Russell. Naomi Long at the Alliance Party Manifesto laynch in the Park Avenue Hotel Belfast Picture By Hugh Russell.

ANGER. Frustration. Concern.

They are just three of the emotions we've heard from voters so far as we chat with them on the doors during this general election campaign.

People are angry about Brexit. Whether they voted Leave or Remain, they see the current situation as far from what was promised in 2016. People are frustrated by the stagnation they see at Stormont. They also see the growing crisis in our health service, our schools and our infrastructure. People are concerned about the climate crisis: they see time running out to take effective action on that too.

People have had enough and rightly so.

Alliance shares that anger, that frustration, and that concern. However, while it would be easy to simply give up or give in to a counsel of despair which says nothing can change, instead we are directing that negative energy into positive action for change. In this election, Alliance are offering hope, not fear.

Because better is possible and this election is your opportunity to demand it.

That’s why we are fielding candidates in all 18 constituencies. We are offering every voter across Northern Ireland a positive choice. It is an opportunity to vote for something not just against someone.

It is an opportunity to vote for those who will go to Westminster and vote to fight the devastation that Brexit, particularly a no-deal Brexit, will bring, while leading the calls for a People’s Vote, a vote with Remain on the ballot paper.

It is an opportunity to vote for those who have developed workable solutions to the Stormont stand-off and the reforms to ensure any new assembly is sustainable, while bringing parties to the table in an attempt to break the logjam.

It is an opportunity to vote for those who are not just calling just for strong words on the climate emergency, but who will commit to the immediate actions required to protect our planet.

It is an opportunity to vote for those who not only aspire to a shared future, but who are working together now - with shared values and vision – and delivering a shared present with a united community.

In May this year, people from right across our community came together to elect more Alliance councillors in more areas than before. Only weeks later, they came together once again to elect the first ever Alliance MEP. As a community, when we come together, work together and vote together, we can make change happen. When you vote Alliance, you get Alliance.

Brexit is not a green or orange issue and Alliance is not a green or orange party.

So, if you are angry, frustrated, concerned – if you have had enough of Brexit and talk of a hard border, of a dormant Stormont, of the politics of fear and smear, of division and deadlock; if you believe like we do that better is possible.

Then channel those feelings and on December 12, demand better. Vote Alliance.