Best New Year’s present for NI is to restore and reform Stormont says Long
The best New Year’s present for the people of Northern Ireland would be a restored Assembly and Executive, Alliance Leader Naomi Long MLA has said.
Mrs Long said the priority for everyone as we reach 2023 should be reform of the institutions to ensure no one single party can collapse them and engage in “ransom politics” again.
Mrs Long said: “As we approach the start of a new year, we remain in the midst of a cost-of-living and cost-of-doing business crisis the likes of which most of us have never experienced.
“That is being compounded on a daily basis by the absence of an NI Assembly and functioning Executive.
“To engage in ransom politics while many people are unable to feed their families or heat their homes is completely scandalous.
“Whilst an Assembly and Executive can’t solve all of those problems, it is the difference between being able to do something, as opposed to nothing, to help those in need.
“Democracy has been repeatedly subverted by single parties over the years, so when the institutions return, we must ensure that is unable to happen again.
“Alliance has outlined a number of reforms which could be made to not only secure their return in the short-term, but ensure they are not held hostage every time the DUP or Sinn Féin decide not to participate.
“We are in an unprecedented period of uncertainty.
“People made their voices heard in May 2022 and it is crucial that is respected.
