Commenting on Ian Parsley’s defection to the Conservative Party, Alliance Party Leader David Ford said:

“I am very disappointed at this news because I believe that Alliance remains the only party totally committed to a shared future in both word and deed.

“Whatever they may say about creating a shared future, UCUNF is still a sectarian group. There are huge contradictions between the delusions of some Conservatives that think they are anti-sectarian, and the 1950s-style bigotry still coming from Ulster Unionists elements. I fear Ian will find this contradiction more and more difficult to live with as time goes on.

“He has left a promising political career to stumble down a blind alley. It is sad to see an up and coming politician move to a marginal party with minimal prospects.”

 

 

It's time for a new voice - It's time for YOUR voice

Former Alliance Youth chair, Cllr Ian Parsley has been selected as the Alliance Party’s candidate for the European Parliament election to be held on June 4th 2009.

Speaking to Alliance Youth on Friday 27 February, Ian said:

We are proud to call Northern Ireland our home, and we are deeply ambitious for it. That is why we have set our on a campaign where you can replace the politics of fear with the politcics of hope.

This campaign is about improving our engagement with Europe, not by rolling over to every ‘directive’ making us work for Europe, but by directing Europe to work for us. It is about improving our economic prospects, not by going to Brussels with a begging bowl, but by regulating to defend our small businesses and charities against the arrogance of the big banks. It is about improving our environmental future, not through fines and scare tactics, but through determined promotion of our local communities.

That is why this is a “unity” campaign – proud to be Alliance, but also proud to reach out beyond it. So if you are as ambitious for Northern Ireland as we are, and you want to pledge yourself to replacing the politics of fear with the politics of hope, come and join us.

Over the next few months we look forward to working with Cllr Ian Parsley in the lead up to the election on June 4th.

Contacting Ian is easy: 
email him on yourvoice@allianceparty.org
If you are on Facebook, join his page here.