Alliance Must Change Direction or Face Consequences at Next Assembly Elections…

The Alliance Party has recently come under fire from the Ulster Farmers Union, the TUV, DUP, UUP and SDLP in what appears to be either a coordinated or opportunistic attack. The question is: how should the party respond to these new political dynamics?

Unfortunately, the party’s strategy to-date – trying to explain the issues in more detail – has not stopped the onslaught. As they say in politics, if you are explaining, then you are losing. Perhaps the opposition parties simply smell blood after Alliance’s meteoric rise over the last eight years.

Firstly, Naomi Long’s comments regarding ‘innocent victims’ – as part of the wider legacy debate – has undoubtedly hurt the party. Regardless of whether her views have been misrepresented or selectively edited, as some in her party have suggested, it is unfortunate that perception often matters more than facts to the public. The party will be fully aware of this.

Nevertheless, this situation is fully recoverable. It may require Alliance’s leader to admit that, on this occasion, her words could have been chosen more carefully, given the sensitivity of the subject. None of us are perfect, but sometimes we need to acknowledge that, through our words, or the amplification by others, hurt or confusion can be caused – even if that was never the intention – particularly among victims and survivors.

Next, the Ulster Farmer’s Union has passed a motion of no confidence in how the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) is handling issues around farming. Its members feel singled out regarding blame for Lough Neagh’s pollution and green algae problems.

Unsurprisingly, some MLA’s and keyboard warriors from the opposing parties have jumped on the bandwagon and criticized the DAERA Minster Andrew Muir directly. However, in some cases, it is their own party that is blocking progress towards a holistic solution to the Lough Neagh pollution problem.

Minister Muir needs to hang in there and stick to his agenda. He should also reassure farmers and the rural community that they are part of the solution, not just the problem. Additionally, the more serious measures being considered within the current consultation will only be implemented after other key stakeholders – such as the Department for Infrastructure and Northern Ireland Water – have firm plans in place to address their contribution to the pollution problem through uncontrolled or problematic discharges.

There have been other political attacks on the justice department, and at this time it is difficult to determine whether this is part of a rougher, Trumpian style of politics – where serial criticism and belittling of your opponents are common – or if this is simply the start of the 2027 Assembly election campaign.

Regardless of the reason, it is important that the Alliance Party both stand firm but also reevaluates its policies and direction in a rapidly changing world.

The party’s progressive and slightly left-leaning policy agenda has served them well over the last few years, and they should be proud of this, as Northern Ireland is a better place because of their actions. However, there are now increased living costs, more competition in the international markets for our local businesses – thanks to policies under US President Trump – and a looming constitutional crisis in the form of a border poll.

Therefore, the Alliance Party needs to build on its successes and continue leading the political agenda when other parties are content to preach to their base.

One way they could do this is by promoting a transformational approach to devolution to reduce the burden on working families.

The public is simply fed up paying for underperforming public services, a bloated civil service and a top-heavy administration in Stormont. Currently, no political parties are calling for a smaller, more efficient government in Northern Ireland. Stormont should remain, but its operations should be streamlined.

It is becoming clear that Northern Ireland is too small to deliver and manage all the currently devolved powers. A review should be undertaken, and responsibilities – such as employment and skills, social security, pensions and child support, higher education and some environmental functions – could be more efficiently managed from Westminster, given the economy of scale.

Conversely, some tax powers – like land fill tax and the bands of income tax – could be devolved to Stormont, providing greater control over the economy.

Furthermore, government efficiency could be improved if more services were devolved to local councils, and some of the current agencies are abolished. For example, regeneration powers, local roads, and social housing could be devolved to local authorities, similar to arrangements in England. The Housing Executive should be abolished, and Translink either privatised or restructured as a not-for-profit company.

The Department for Infrastructure should be merged with the Department for the Economy to create a new Department for Prosperity.

Since 1998, Stormont has achieved some successes, notably delivering peace. However, it has failed to meet many public expectations. It is time to reconstitute its functions, making it more responsible for oversight and legislation, rather than direct delivery. Stormont’s committee structures should also be enhanced to act as a second chamber, ensuring more scrutiny and better legislation.

These are the type of policies the Alliance Party should consider, as they would provide working families in Northern Ireland with greater value for money and a better standard of living.

In a changing world, we risk losing sight of what devolved government is there for – it should serve our people, not the other way around.