The Lagan Valley MLA was speaking after the latest meeting of the Assembly Executive Review Committee (AERC), which showed support for her proposal to explore next steps in the establishment of a Citizens’ Assembly.
Ms Guy said: "Alliance has led the campaign on calling for reform of our institutions, and after hearing expert evidence from the AERC Committee yesterday (7 October), it is evident that our institutions can no longer remain stuck and refusing to change.
“While we’ve enjoyed relative political stability since the restoration of government, the concern remains that Sinn Féin and the DUP have no intention of giving up their ability to collapse the institutions at their will, despite, clear public appetite for change.
“During yesterday’s committee, it was evident that no single party can be expected to implement reform of our institutions. That’s why Alliance has proposed the establishment of a Citizens’ Assembly to give time and space for civic conversations on this issue, outside of the political arena.
"Our Assembly and Executive need to change and adapt to meet the needs of the public, but we are bound to a system that benefits vested interests, and we need to do better.
“I am very glad there was agreement from the Committee in support of looking at how a Citizens' Assembly could be established. A Citizens’ Assembly could provide much needed momentum and confidence that change is welcomed and, more importantly, needed. It would provide a chance for a representative group of our population to be heard in detail on reform proposals and allow parties to better understand what changes are backed by the public.
“Making these institutions work better for people couldn't be more important. People here deserve better than having their politics and their future held to ransom, and Alliance will continue to be the advocate for reform."
Ms Guy said: "Alliance has led the campaign on calling for reform of our institutions, and after hearing expert evidence from the AERC Committee yesterday (7 October), it is evident that our institutions can no longer remain stuck and refusing to change.
“While we’ve enjoyed relative political stability since the restoration of government, the concern remains that Sinn Féin and the DUP have no intention of giving up their ability to collapse the institutions at their will, despite, clear public appetite for change.
“During yesterday’s committee, it was evident that no single party can be expected to implement reform of our institutions. That’s why Alliance has proposed the establishment of a Citizens’ Assembly to give time and space for civic conversations on this issue, outside of the political arena.
"Our Assembly and Executive need to change and adapt to meet the needs of the public, but we are bound to a system that benefits vested interests, and we need to do better.
“I am very glad there was agreement from the Committee in support of looking at how a Citizens' Assembly could be established. A Citizens’ Assembly could provide much needed momentum and confidence that change is welcomed and, more importantly, needed. It would provide a chance for a representative group of our population to be heard in detail on reform proposals and allow parties to better understand what changes are backed by the public.
“Making these institutions work better for people couldn't be more important. People here deserve better than having their politics and their future held to ransom, and Alliance will continue to be the advocate for reform."