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Alliance Party Conference #APNI2022

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on March 5, 2022, 3:29 pm

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After a two-year gap, the Alliance Party conference returned exactly two months before the Assembly election. Deputy leader Stephen Farry must have been relieved that he didn’t have to step in to deliver the leader’s speech this year! There were plenty of party stalwarts in the Crowne Plaza seats, and plenty of fresh young activists who weren’t on the scene two years ago. Yet the mood was slightly muted, at least until the leader and her deputy spoke. That can’t …

Alliance conference in party mood despite leader’s absence #APNI2020

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on March 7, 2020, 3:29 pm

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Alliance delegates gathered again in the Stormont Hotel for their annual conference, marking the 50th anniversary of the party’s formation and celebrating a year of growing success at three successive elections (local, European and Westminster). The mood was upbeat, attendance was strong, yellow clothing was prevalent, and while there are no elections just around the corner to fire up the crowd, there was a sense of achievement and satisfaction at the party’s fortunes.

Three figures were notably absent including party leader Naomi Long who had been diagnosed with a severe respiratory infection and was on bed rest and fluids under doctor’s orders. Deputy leader Stephen Farry delivered the conference main speech which also held from PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne, former Secretary of State Julian Smith, and young councillors.

Alliance demands better from parties, politicians and the Secretary of State #apni19

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on March 2, 2019, 4:32 pm

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READ AND LISTEN BACK to the main speeches at today’s Alliance Party Conference on the second anniversary of the last NI Assembly election and exactly two months before the next local government poll. Naomi Long pulled no punches in her criticism of Secretary of State’s “appalling dereliction of duty” to restore the Stormont institutions.

Low key Alliance conference warns “fear and mistrust … limit us to living smaller lives” #AP2018

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on March 24, 2018, 4:53 pm

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THE ALLIANCE PARTY CONFERENCE was a low key event compared with last year when the party was buoyant after good results in the 2017 NI Assembly election and members were still unaware of the surprise General Election that was just weeks away from being announced. Without an election campaign and without a functioning Assembly with plenary sessions and committee hearings to create stories, Alliance’s impact in political discussions is muted, and their ability to build political capital constrained. Challenges to improve the accountability of local councils are worthwhile, but don’t excite their support-base or keep the party in the headlines.

Alliance celebrates “making hope flourish in darkness” #AP2017

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on March 25, 2017, 11:34 pm

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ALLIANCE CONFERENCE quietly celebrated the party’s election results. Party faithful gathered to hear Naomi Long’s first conference speech as leader. Her focus was on leadership and the need for a tolerant and liberal society that attracts young people back to invest in Northern Ireland.

Alliance Party urges society to step forward … while it deals with past week’s comments by Anna Lo #AP2014

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on March 22, 2014, 11:46 pm

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Today’s Alliance Party conference came just days after Anna Lo’s perfectly valid – though politically thoughtless – comments about her personal views on Irish unification were reported as part of her interview with John Manley in the Irish News. It was hard to avoid the annual party member get-together being seen through an Anna Lo lens. It was the topic of conversation amongst delegates. I talked to no one who was upset by Anna’s aspiration. No matter whether accused of …

Everything is not awesome for Alliance as they go to conference and prepare for May’s elections; though @keithbelfast puts up a spirited defence …

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on March 19, 2014, 8:50 am

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Alliance’s party conference takes place in La Mon Hotel on Saturday. Expect to hear speeches from their Euro candidate Anna Lo, the Minister for Employment & Learning Stephen Farry (whose department failed to go away you know), as well as deputy leader and East Belfast MP Naomi Long. With the party conference so close to the May elections – though still outside the broadcasting “closed season” – expect to hear from budding council candidates wanting to make their mark on …

Party conferences dates, venues and a thought for exhibitors who want to wrestle control back from the parties

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on September 11, 2012, 7:47 pm

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A quick post to remind political conference followers about the start of the conference season. UUP are tempting metaphors and analogies with their conference on 21 (members only) and 22 (public sessions) September in Titan Belfast. Last year Secretary of State Owen Paterson popped into the conference and said a few words on his way past; Mike Nesbitt gave a Cameron-style speech on the economy without notes challenging the party to: … become net contributors to Her Majesty’s Treasury. We …