Speaking after giving evidence to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee on the issue, he said the Secretary of State should convene a process of all-party talks focused on institutional reform. 

“A generation ago, the people of Northern Ireland were promised government which could deliver for everyone in our society. Since then, the Assembly has been collapsed for almost half of its life, and is too often characterised by dysfunction, deadlock and delay,” he said.

“People are disillusioned with politics and Alliance shares that frustration. Our plans for democratic renewal would ensure no single party can collapse Stormont or hold the business of government to ransom. 

“Removing those vetoes would make the institutions more stable, accountable, democratic and able to deliver progressive change. 

“Four out of the five main parties have now articulated the case for change. The Secretary of State must now recognise the groundswell of support for reform, and convene all-party talks without delay.”