Brexit exposes contradictions and ambiguities that are otherwise being managed through the Good Friday Agreement. 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. 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. Maintenance of the all-island energy market. 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. 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. 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. 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. We are opposed to any regression or diminution of the existing rights that the people of Northern Ireland currently have through EU membership. 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. 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. The Alliance Party, was the ruling political party in Fiji from 1966 to 1987. 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. If Northern Ireland were outside the European Union, there would be an expectation that the UK Government bridge any funding gaps to Northern Ireland. Joshua Cat. 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. Naomi has served as Lord Mayor of Belfast, MP for East Belfast, MEP for Northern Ireland, and is now MLA for East Belfast. MLA for East Belfast, Naomi Long has been leader of the Alliance Party since 2016, succeeding David Ford. By the end of the 20th century, APNI had not achieved its goal of eliminating sectarianism in Northern Irish politics. 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. Professor of Politics, University of Ulster. 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. Protection of the rights of EU Nationals in 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. Certification of compliance with EU rules can be conducted by one or other of UK or EU authorities. In 1972 three sitting members of the British Parliament—two Protestants and one Catholic—“crossed the floor” and joined the Alliance. The Alliance Party of Northern Ireland (APNI; Irish: Páirtí Comhghuaillíochta Thuaisceart Éireann) is a liberal and centrist political party in Northern Ireland. Founded in the early 1960s, its leader was Kamisese Mara, the founding father of the modern Fijian nation. 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. The pro-Remain Alliance Party won a seat for the first time after hugely increasing its vote in the NI poll. 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. Mighty. University Street, Belfast, BT7 1HE, Designed and Developed by 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.’ Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). In the Assembly elections of 2003, its overall vote share dropped, but it maintained its six seats. 278 talking about this. 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.”. 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+. Alliance party NI. Membership of the EU does not prevent the UK trading with any part of the world. alliance@alliancepartyni.org Created with NationBuilder. Questions persist regarding the fairness and transparency of the process. Alliance leader Naomi Long has hailed her party's "incredible result" in the council elections as a watershed moment for Northern Ireland politics. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Brexit undermines people’s ability to enjoy current rights as EU citizens. Expand However, in the 2019 snap election, APNI returned to Westminister by winning the seat for North Down. 238 talking about this. It was self-consciously biconfessional, attracting members from the Roman Catholic and Protestant communities in proportion to their numbers. FIND YOUR STATE PARTY Northern Ireland's cross-community party. The Alliance Party capped off 2019 with the third in a series of election successes this year. 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. There is also in-built uncertainty regarding the ongoing regulatory regime in Northern Ireland due to the requirement for periodic votes in the Assembly. NationBuilder, Published and promoted by The Alliance Party of Northern Ireland, 88 APNI achieved its greatest electoral success in the first decade of its existence. Alliance Party 08:04, 26 FEB 2021. 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. political party, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. 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. “We’re serving the community, seeking solutions to the problems others caused. 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. Advocating a wider future economic relationship for our region beyond the terms and scope of the current Ireland/Northern Ireland protocol. Watch political debates, party political broadcasts, PMQ's and interviews with party candidates and MPs. Information about what to expect at the general election 2015, including timetable of events, results and guides. APNI drew members from the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) who were concerned that the UUP was becoming too extreme. Securing ongoing co-operation in policing and justice. 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. 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. Anti-Brexit Alliance Party offices targeted for graffiti in NI North Down MP Stephen Farry and Strangford Assembly member Kellie Armstrong were targeted. Over three years on from t… Brexit brings problems for security and other forms of inter- governmental co-operation. Northern Ireland's cross-community party. Published 30 January. Any form of Brexit poses significant problems for Northern Ireland.Our economy depends on sales and supply chains across these islands. The Alliance Party of Northern Ireland describes itself as a non-sectarian party which advocates co-operation between nationalist and unionist communities. 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. 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 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. Corrections? 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. 1 693 en parlent. The 2016 Referendum was an unclear choice between a clearly defined Remain and an undefined Leave option, interpreted as a broad range of scenarios. Its politics, apart from issues related to Northern Ireland, are slightly left of centre. NI Brexit; Alliance Party (Northern Ireland) DUP (Democratic Unionist Party) Brexit; More on this story. Irish deputy PM targeted in graffiti death threat. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. 2015 General Election Guides. This is particularly relevant to any successor to the Common Agricultural Policy and the proposed Shared Prosperity Fund which may replace the Structural Funds. Continued access to competitive EU funds, such as Horizon 2020/Horizon Europe and Erasmus+. 028 9032 4274 . 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. Progressive Alliance, Socialist International (Observer) European Parliament group: Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats: Colours: Red: NI Assembly: 0 / 90. Local products can be marketed separately as UK(NI). The party won one of the three Northern Ireland seats in the European Parliament, and one seat, The Johnson deal at a minimum only avoids a new border on the island of Ireland and protects the Good Friday Agreement. This is why there is no such thing as a good or sensible Brexit – it is an act of huge self-sabotage. You can read more detailed proposals in our paper, Bridges not Borders, (November 2017).