People in Northern Ireland recognise the huge benefits of EU membership, which is why the majority voted to remain. The party was represented by two members in the first biconfessional government of Northern Ireland, the power-sharing executive body of 1973–74. Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Alliance-Party-of-Northern-Ireland, Officail Site of The Alliance Party of Northern Ireland. At present, all the people of Northern Ireland have rights as EU Citizens. There is a joint challenge for the UK Government, the Irish Government and the EU to ensure continuity and further application of additional rights that become recognised. You can read more detailed proposals in our paper, Bridges not Borders, (November 2017). The NI Partner Network offers domain, application, and overall test development expertise to help your team get ahead and stay ahead. There may also be gaps and a deterioration of arrangements in relation to policing, and criminal and civil justice co-operation and uncertainty over access to EU programmes such as Horizons Europe and Erasmus+. Recognition of all people from Northern Ireland as EU Citizens. Northern Ireland's cross-community party. The 2016 Referendum was an unclear choice between a clearly defined Remain and an undefined Leave option, interpreted as a broad range of scenarios. Corrections? In June 1998 the party won approximately 6 percent of the vote and six seats in the Northern Ireland Assembly, the power-sharing legislative body created in the Good Friday Agreement of April 1998. There is also uncertainty regarding Northern Ireland’s position on the level playing field provisions, including workers’ rights and environmental protections. Local products can be marketed separately as UK(NI). City Outlook. Finally, its lack of elected representation in the British and European parliaments limited its political visibility. It was a snapshot in time based on limited information. Northern Ireland only works based on sharing and interdependence, yet Brexit entails new divisions, barriers and friction. The Alliance Party is the political arm of a nationwide movement to elect public servants who will end corruption, stagnation and partisan politics. While the EU may have fallen a little as a proportion of UK trade, it remains by far the most important market and represents the deepest level of economic integration in the world. Alliance party NI. We believe the Common Travel Area should be placed on a formal legal basis. Northern Ireland's cross-community party. 2015 General Election Guides. It was a snapshot in time based on limited information. Alliance leader Naomi Long said: “This campaign of intimidation against the Alliance Party is as futile as it is despicable. Securing ongoing co-operation in policing and justice. This will require the incoming UK Government requesting a further extension from the European Council to provide the necessary time to facilitate a proper referendum campaign. Although there was no official leader between 1970 and 1972, Oliver Napier acted as de facto leader during that period. APNI achieved its greatest electoral success in the first decade of its existence. Retained ability for Northern Ireland organisations to be the lead partner in EU programmes, such as INTERREG and PEACE, even as a third country. Alliance leader Naomi Long has hailed her party's "incredible result" in the council elections as a watershed moment for Northern Ireland politics. Brexit exposes contradictions and ambiguities that are otherwise being managed through the Good Friday Agreement. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Northern Ireland's cross-community party. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. In the British general election of 2010, it won its first seat in the British House of Commons, with Naomi Long winning the Belfast East seat that was held by Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Peter Robinson. Our priorities and preferences are in descending order: In order to stop Brexit the most coherent, feasible and democratic way forward is a People’s Vote. FIND YOUR STATE PARTY 238 talking about this. 028 9032 4274 [email protected] Created with NationBuilder. Many wild and unrealistic promises were made, including the NHS funding pledge on the side of a bus. Questions persist regarding the fairness and transparency of the process. In the 2016 elections for the Assembly, APNI held on to its eight seats. If Brexit happens and a softer version of Brexit is ruled out, UK-wide, then Alliance will support a special set of arrangements to reflect the particular circumstances of Northern Ireland, building on the foundations of devolution. Seeking access to a wide range of EU Programmes. In elections for the Assembly in 2011, the Alliance increased its representation to eight seats. Since then the party has been led by Phelim O’Neill (1972–73), Napier (1973–84), John Cushnahan (1984–87), Lord John Alderdice (1989–98), Sean Neeson (1998–2001), David Ford(2001–16), who served in the Northern Ireland Executive as justice minister from 2010 to 2016, and Naomi Long (2016– ). In 1972 three sitting members of the British Parliament—two Protestants and one Catholic—“crossed the floor” and joined the Alliance. Any form of Brexit poses significant problems for Northern Ireland.Our economy depends on sales and supply chains across these islands. Over three years on from t… Meeting annually, the Party Council elects the party leader, chair, and vice-chair; selects delegates to the Party Executive; and approves or amends policy documents. There are also over one million young people who have now joined the electorate. In the Assembly elections of 2003, its overall vote share dropped, but it maintained its six seats. Mighty. The Alliance Party leader holds a relatively powerful position, as he or she appoints the party officers and the members of the strategy committees. Expand Lisburn. It is essential the Executive has a comprehensive plan to tackle the issues relating to the pandemic, Brexit and other issues over the next year, Alliance MLA Andrew Muir has said. Lisburn Castlereagh City Council announce freeze to council tax rate for first time. Joshua Cat. In all but Belfast South, the party increased its vote shares over those shares won in 2017. Over three years on from the referendum, we now know so much more about Brexit: the complexities, risks and impacts upon so many areas of life; the impracticalities of some of the proposals; and of course the wider political impasse it has caused. The 2016 Referendum was an unclear choice between a clearly defined Remain and an undefined Leave option, interpreted as a broad range of scenarios. The whole of the UK remaining in the Single Market and Customs Union. Alderdice sat on the Liberal Democratic benches in the House of Lords after his appointment in 1996, and the party has established links with the Progressive Democrats in the republic of Ireland; the European Liberal, Democrat and Reform Party at the European Parliament; and the Liberal International, a worldwide organization of liberal parties. We can maximise trade through the rest of world, benefitting from existing EU trade deals and negotiating new trade opportunities from a position of strength. A People's Vote to reconsider Brexit, with the option to remain in the EU. Advocating a wider future economic relationship for our region beyond the terms and scope of the current Ireland/Northern Ireland protocol. While any form of Brexit involves some degree of an interface to be managed, this deal entails a more bureaucratic, complicated and expensive framework of checks. Alliance Party of Northern Ireland (APNI), Northern Ireland’s oldest interdenominational political party, a small moderate party that represents middle-class interests primarily in the eastern areas of the province. Sinn Féin, the SDLP, the Alliance Party and the NI Greens oppose Brexit, while the DUP and TUV supported Brexit but rejected the withdrawal agreement reached last year. This should apply to all those who reside within Northern Ireland and these rights should remain fully enforceable through the judicial mechanisms of the EU. This is particularly relevant to any successor to the Common Agricultural Policy and the proposed Shared Prosperity Fund which may replace the Structural Funds. In the event of Brexit, some limited immigration powers should be given to the Assembly in order to have a system that better reflects the particular circumstances of our economy. Parliament would then legislate to facilitate the referendum with the Electoral Commission advising on the intelligibility of the question. Alliance is standing up for Northern Ireland and advocating for the best interests of the people of this region, through maintaining political stability, defending the Good Friday Agreement, retaining open borders throughout these islands, protecting our economy and enabling future opportunities. It is Northern Ireland's fifth-largest party, currently holding eight seats in the Northern Ireland Assembly, but has made breakthroughs in recent elections to place third in first preference votes in both the 2019 European Parliament election and the 2019 UK general election. Party manifestos are drafted by the Executive Committee, which deals with issues of day-to-day party policy and responds to current events in its strategy committees. Local Government: 0 / 462. The Alliance Party of Northern Ireland describes itself as a non-sectarian party which advocates co-operation between nationalist and unionist communities. 668 talking about this. Author of, Northern Ireland: The Alliance Party of Northern Ireland, Of the political parties that have sought to attract voters from both unionist and nationalist communities, only the. Summary of general election performance. However, in the 2019 snap election, APNI returned to Westminister by winning the seat for North Down. APNI’s support was drawn from the more affluent areas of Greater Belfast, and it was virtually unrepresented in the western areas of Northern Ireland. The Alliance Party was launched in April 1970 in an attempt to break the sectarian mold of politics in Northern Ireland through the pursuit of moderate policies. The Northern Ireland specific provisions only apply to the movement of goods and agri-food. A total of 803,367 votes were cast in Northern Ireland - a turnout of 62.09%. 028 9032 4274 . Alliance wants Northern Ireland to remain part of a Customs Union with the European Union and the entire Single Market, including all four fundamental freedoms: the free movement of goods, services, capital and people. Certification of compliance with EU rules can be conducted by one or other of UK or EU authorities. In a democracy, people have the right to change their mind and there is consistent evidence to suggest that there may now be a majority across the UK for Remain. It was self-consciously biconfessional, attracting members from the Roman Catholic and Protestant communities in proportion to their numbers. The Alliance Party, was the ruling political party in Fiji from 1966 to 1987. A Special Deal that helps the Northern Ireland economy and defends the Good Friday Agreement. Alliance party NI. By the end of the 20th century, APNI had not achieved its goal of eliminating sectarianism in Northern Irish politics. Its politics, apart from issues related to Northern Ireland, are slightly left of centre. We now know the shape of any deal that can be done with the EU and neither Theresa May’s deal nor Boris Johnson’s reflected the promises made in 2016. Renegotiated access to EU Structural Funds. Progressive Alliance, Socialist International (Observer) European Parliament group: Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats: Colours: Red: NI Assembly: 0 / 90. NationBuilder, Published and promoted by The Alliance Party of Northern Ireland, 88 Other aspects of special arrangements for Northern Ireland should include: We believe there is no such thing as a good or sensible Brexit and any version of a Brexit deal will bring its own particular challenges.The current Boris Johnson deal is more challenging for Northern Ireland than Theresa May’s Withdrawal Agreement, which included the crucial backstop for Northern Ireland. In 2007 it rebounded slightly and captured an additional seat in the Assembly. The Alliance Party currently has … Many wild and unrealistic promises were made, including the NHS funding pledge on the side of a bus. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. APNI again won eight seats in the snap election for the Assembly held in March 2017, though this time the total represented a relative gain, given that the number of seats in the Assembly had been reduced from 108 to 90. It is imperative that we put the final deal to the public with Remain as an option on the ballot paper. Alliance is a progressive, internationalist and pro-European party.We recognise that in this modern, globalised world we face many transnational challenges from climate change to the regulation of the internet, and we are stronger through co-operation and pooling our sovereignty. Omissions? Source: Alliance party website, existing manifesto or officially-published policies. Naomi has served as Lord Mayor of Belfast, MP for East Belfast, MEP for Northern Ireland, and is now MLA for East Belfast. Most of its founding members had not been actively involved in politics, and the party was perceived to be a middle-class phenomenon seeking the “middle ground.”. Brexit brings problems for security and other forms of inter- governmental co-operation. The Alliance Party was launched in April 1970 in an attempt to break the sectarian mold of politics in Northern Ireland through the pursuit of moderate policies. Irish deputy PM targeted in graffiti death threat. The backstop could allow Northern Ireland to have a competitive advantage, and be a focal point for investment, through the balance of access to both the wider UK and EU markets. If Northern Ireland were outside the European Union, there would be an expectation that the UK Government bridge any funding gaps to Northern Ireland. 2015 Election Guide. Theresa May’s deal fell well short of our concept of a special deal for Northern Ireland but at least provided a stronger platform from which to build. In the absence of the above, seeking to minimise declarations and checks on NI to GB and GB to NI trade respectively, plus pushing for further mitigations to reduce the regulatory burden and compliance costs for businesses, through clarification of the existing Withdrawal Agreement via the Joint Committee, further agreements with the EU, and financial assistance. Information about what to expect at the general election 2015, including timetable of events, results and guides. It was self-consciously biconfessional, attracting members from the Roman Catholic and Protestant communities in proportion to their numbers. Northern Ireland's cross-community party. The Alliance Party, 88 University Street, Belfast, BT7 1HE. Given all this, it cannot be a betrayal of the people who voted in 2016 to now ask again what they want. Updates? When the Alliance Party’s internal Party Council decided to support Civil Partnerships in 2005 it strenuously drew distinctions between ‘Civil Partnerships’ and ‘Marriage’ in an attempt to placate it’s more conservative members; the argument was largely, ‘Civil Partnerships are not the same as marriage.’ alliance@alliancepartyni.org Created with NationBuilder. All the latest news about Alliance Party (Northern Ireland) from the BBC Continued access to competitive EU funds, such as Horizon 2020/Horizon Europe and Erasmus+. NI Brexit; Alliance Party (Northern Ireland) DUP (Democratic Unionist Party) Brexit; More on this story. The DUP avenged its 2010 loss in May 2015, when it reclaimed the Belfast East seat and deprived APNI of any presence in the British Parliament. Supporting a future economic relationship based around a Customs Union and full participation in the Single Market. By the end of the 20th century, it had not yet elected a member of the British or the European Parliament, though Alderdice was ennobled in 1996. Moreover, a harder Brexit for Great Britain and a no deal situation, even at the end of any transition period, would have serious knock-on economic consequences for Northern Ireland. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Professor of Politics, University of Ulster. APNI advocates improving cross-community relations through integrated education, a bill of rights, and reform of the security forces. Brexit undermines people’s ability to enjoy current rights as EU citizens. We want the 1981 UK Nationality Act to be amended to better reflect in law the identity and citizenship terms of the Good Friday Agreement. Alliance has a vision for building a united community: a shared society, free from intimidation, discrimination and fear, where everyone is safe, can play their part and is treated fairly and … Participation in and access to the key policing, security and judicial mechanisms of the EU, such as the European Arrest Warrant and the Schengen Information System 2. 278 talking about this. Alliance wants also to ensure that Northern Ireland remains welcoming to all those from elsewhere in the European Union and the rest of the world who have made this region their home, helping to build our economy and enriching our society. Brexit therefore risks loss of existing rights to access health care and educational opportunities. The European Union allows us to face those challenges together. There is also in-built uncertainty regarding the ongoing regulatory regime in Northern Ireland due to the requirement for periodic votes in the Assembly. Alliance Party 08:04, 26 FEB 2021. Posts about Alliance Party NI written by Charlotte P. Gilman. “We’re serving the community, seeking solutions to the problems others caused. By contrast, an independent trade policy would see the UK chasing trade deals from a position of weakness, and could see compromises around labour, environment, food safety and human rights, and risk undermining key aspects of the NI economy such as agri-food. And because it was not a unionist party, it did not appeal to Protestants who considered it essential to maintain Northern Ireland’s link to the United Kingdom. Questions persist regarding the fairness and transparency of the process. This is what the UK would turn its back on it a no deal scenario. SDLP party leader Colum Eastwood won Foyle with a thumping majority, while the Alliance Party took North Down. This must not revert to the Barnett Formula, as the existing approach to EU funding reflects the higher relative need of Northern Ireland. It's time to bring back American values and emphasize the importance of integrity and honor while... Moving the Nation Forward Rather Than Left or Right. Anti-Brexit Alliance Party offices targeted for graffiti in NI North Down MP Stephen Farry and Strangford Assembly member Kellie Armstrong were targeted. In 1977 APNI reached its highest electoral standing when it won 14.3 percent of the vote. The Alliance Party capped off 2019 with the third in a series of election successes this year. Opportunities to secure a People’s Vote have been missed on several occasions – Alliance is committed to using its influence in any incoming Parliament to finally secure a People’s Vote. Indeed, it would be a tragedy if the UK ultimately left the EU, particularly in a cliff-edge no-deal, if a majority of people don’t want that to happen. The pro-Remain Alliance Party won a seat for the first time after hugely increasing its vote in the NI poll. The Party is aligned with the Liberal Democrats and is currently led by Naomi Long. Our Key Documents (Documents open in a new window), The Alliance Party, 88 University Street, Belfast, BT7 1HE, Created with Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). In order to stop Brexit the most coherent, feasible and democratic way forward is a People’s Vote. While those people from Northern Ireland who are Irish citizens have automatic entitlement to be EU citizens, the application of many of these rights may be only be operational within the territory of the EU. The Johnson deal at a minimum only avoids a new border on the island of Ireland and protects the Good Friday Agreement. Watch political debates, party political broadcasts, PMQ's and interviews with party candidates and MPs. Membership of the EU does not prevent the UK trading with any part of the world. political party, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. The party won one of the three Northern Ireland seats in the European Parliament, and one seat, Download. We are opposed to any regression or diminution of the existing rights that the people of Northern Ireland currently have through EU membership. She is the current Justice Minister of Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland's cross-community party. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. The party was formed as an alternative to the other major parties at the time period of the 1970s. We want to stop Brexit but if Brexit is forced through, we want to minimise the harm. If Boris Johnson’s deal is ratified by Parliament and implemented, Alliance will take the following actions: Alliance believes that rights and equality are central to the cohesion of our society and to the wider European project. As a party of moderation, it suffered from the tensions created in a climate of political violence. The Alliance Party, 88 University Street, Belfast, BT7 1HE. Maintenance of the all-island energy market. The Alliance Party of Northern Ireland (APNI; Irish: Páirtí Comhghuaillíochta Thuaisceart Éireann) is a liberal and centrist political party in Northern Ireland. APNI’s main organizational body is its Party Council, which consists of eight delegates from each local branch, all the party’s councillors, and the party officers. 1 693 en parlent. As a party that worked within unionist-dominated political institutions in Northern Ireland, it did not attract sufficient support from Catholics who aspired to a united Ireland. Protection of the rights of EU Nationals in Northern Ireland. Watch Politics. By contrast, future recognition of rights only to those who are Irish citizens risks breaching the Good Friday Agreement as those people in Northern Ireland who are solely British citizens would no longer enjoy parity. Please select which sections you would like to print: While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. University Street, Belfast, BT7 1HE, Designed and Developed by 295 talking about this. Connect with our global community of trusted NI Partners ready to give your business a competitive edge. APNI drew members from the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) who were concerned that the UUP was becoming too extreme. This article lists the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland's election results in UK parliamentary elections. The future relationship negotiations could lead to major gaps in relation to the service economy and the free movement of people. MLA for East Belfast, Naomi Long has been leader of the Alliance Party since 2016, succeeding David Ford. The Alliance even managed to succeed Lady Hermon in North Down, winning the third seat in the House of Commons that the party has ever held. They aimed to, in a sense; build a bridge between Unionists and Nationalists, with a secondary goal of achieving support from the minority groups such as Jews, Chinese, Indian and Pakistani. Founded in the early 1960s, its leader was Kamisese Mara, the founding father of the modern Fijian nation. This is why there is no such thing as a good or sensible Brexit – it is an act of huge self-sabotage. Published 30 January.