Functioning political institutions should be the norm, not the exception, says Long, ahead of restoration anniversary.

Having functioning political institutions for a year is welcome, but should be the norm rather than the exception, Alliance Leader Naomi Long has said.

Political Reform Naomi Long

The East Belfast MLA was speaking ahead of the first anniversary of the restoration of the Assembly and Executive following the most recent political impasse. She said that despite the last year, the threat of collapse remained in our politics.

“The fact that the institutions remain functioning after a year is, of course, welcome but it speaks to how dysfunctional the institutions are that it's treated as a notable occasion, rather than the norm, as it would be in most other parts of the world,” said Mrs Long.

“Over the last year, Alliance has been leading change. Our Ministers have introduced two significant pieces of legislation and have shaped and delivered major policy interventions on key issues like Domestic and Sexual Abuse and tacking pollution and climate change.

"Alliance MLAs have also been bringing forward Private Members' legislation on animal welfare, flag regulation, improving services for disabled people, supporting social economy and much more.

 

“All of that is welcome progress, but the sad reality is the institutions are as stable today as they were the day before the last collapse. That ongoing instability has caused immeasurable damage, not only to public confidence, but also to our public services, finances, and right across our community, and much of the last year has been about trying to catch up and repair the damage.

“People here deserve better than having their politics and their future held to ransom. Alliance will continue to advocate for reform of our institutions to end ransom politics and the harmful cycle of crisis and collapse for good.”