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.”

After our involvement last year, Alliance Youth will be taking part in the nineteenth Belfast Pride Parade on Saturday 1 August.

We look forward to as many of our supporters and members joining us! We are meeting outside McHugh’s bar near Custom House Square at 1pm.

If you can go please let Conrad know on 07917153163.

Saturday 14 March, saw an enthusiastic group of Alliance Youth activists descend on Holywood for a day of surveying.

We met at the Maypole and headed up Church Road to the left and to the right. Many surveys were returned, and it was great to be out and about with European candidate, Cllr Ian Parsley.

We are already looking forward to next month’s action day in Lisburn, but before that there are further events to come.

Following the news that two military personnel are dead and four other men including two civilians are in a serious condition after an attack on Massereene Army base in Antrim last night, Alliance Youth has condemned the actions of the few who are responsible.

An Alliance Youth spokesperson said: “Although no one so far has claimed responsibility, it is inconceivable that it was carried out by anyone other than dissident republicans. 

“It is important that this attack does not destabilise the political process and the peace settlement that we have. It is essential that the whole community in Northern Ireland comes together and we urge anyone with information about this attack to contact the Police.”

 

 

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.