“He stood up for everyone” – Alliance pays tribute to former Councillor David Reid, remembered for his compassion, courage, and commitment to inclusive representation. Our thoughts are with David’s family and friends. More below.

The world is a dimmer place today. I have never, ever known anyone with the stoicism, bravery and positivity like David. He used every challenge as an opportunity to raise awareness, to push to make other people’s lives better. He will be so deeply missed. 💛

What happened in the middle of the night in Ballymena reinforces why Pride events are so important. Visibility and solidarity. As someone told me, always look for the helpers and I’m grateful those helpers stepped in to make sure today’s parade in Ballymena is undeterred. @meapride.bsky.social

Shout out to all the fab folk in Ballymena involved in cleaning the streets ahead of this afternoon's Pride event and making sure this latest bout of pure hate doesn't win out or define where they live: www.thejournal.ie/ballymena-sl...

I unreservedly condemn those who spread slurry on the streets of Ballymena ahead of the town’s first-ever Pride parade today. There is no place for this kind of disgusting and deliberate attempt to intimidate, disrupt, or shame those taking part in a peaceful and joyful celebration.

I’ve met with newcomers to Ballymena and I’ve met with people who have lived here for decades. Our health and social care sector and our agrifood sector would collapse without migration. Where there are concerns, let’s address them compassion, not labelling a human being ‘illegal’.

Read how @sianalliance.bsky.social 's PMB intends to allow large society lotteries to operate in Northern Ireland, providing crucial funding for our local charitable organisations. www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/n... Complete the consultation here: www.allianceparty.org/lotter...

@sianalliance.bsky.social praises swift response following school threats. Read more here: www.allianceparty.org/mulhol...

I know there are still plenty of homes without power so if you need to charge devices or get a cup of tea, my office is open for you this week. 12 Mill Street, Ballymena.

My constituency office in Larne will be open tomorrow from 10am to 3pm if anyone requires assistance - hot water, charge a device etc… #StormEowyn

Solidarity and respect to my colleague @sorchaeastwood.bsky.social

dDisappointed that the Minister has decided to close Balnamore PS. @sianalliance.bsky.social and I have been working with the school over last 18 months, to develop a path to rebuild sustainability after many challenges. Sad it won't be give the time needed. www.allianceparty.org/alliance_rep...

Closing date is 24th January if you want to come and work with me!

Flags symbolise our heritage and identity, but they can also be used to sow division, mark territory and instil fear. That's why Paula Bradshaw has launched a consultation on her bill to change how we display flags in public spaces. Make your voice heard. www.allianceparty.org/flags_and_em...

The picture that sums up 2024 for me. The year of raising a beautiful little girl in the midst of a returning Assembly. Here’s to continuing to strive for balance in 2025, searching for the ‘little wins’ with my team and coming home for the ‘little snuggles’ with my favourites. Happy New Year 💛

Come and work with me! I am recruiting for a Part-Time Communication and Outreach Officer (16 hours per week). Closing Date is Friday 24th January 2025 at 4pm. All details in the link. www.communityni.org/job/communic...

Our GoFundMe will close in just a few days, in the spirit of goodwill this season if you can afford to donate anything please feel free. ❤️ Alternatively, you can support our bookshelf appeal in Tesco Ballymena, you can donate in store right up until close on NYE.🙏 #MEAPride gofund.me/05a37af4

My office is closed until Monday 6th January 2025, however I will be picking up urgent voicemails / messages left on the office phone and any urgent emails. Below are some numbers that might be helpful if you find yourself struggling over the festive season. Take care and have a lovely Christmas 🎄

Grateful to Kate Nash for coming to meet w/ me to discuss the cost of touring crisis that many in the industry are facing. We had a great conversation w/ reps from Council & @sianalliance.bsky.social and also visited Oh Yeah Music Centre to meet w/ the team & hear about all their amazing work.

This is the kind of data and mapping I’m here for. What a musical heritage.

Great to use the opportunity of my Communities Committee being in the North West to call through Limavady this afternoon to have a catch-up and planning session with my Causeway Coast and Glens colleague Cllr Amy Mairs Exciting plans ahead for 2025! 💪🏻💛

“4 in 5 UK musicians have lost work because of Brexit” A shocking insight into how British musicians have suffered in the wake of the country's 2016 referendum to leave the European Union www.musicradar.com/music-indust...

Alliance DAERA Minister @andrewmuirni.bsky.social is putting Northern Ireland firmly on the road to Net Zero. With our first three Carbon Budgets now set, we are taking an important step to address the climate crisis, moving towards a just transition and benefiting from good green jobs.👇

Mummy post - little one (almost 1yo) just confirmed with hand, foot and mouth and tonsillitis. All tips and advice welcome to a) stop the rest of us getting HFM and b) to make her comfortable 😫

This will be a huge relief to those currently benefiting from the benefit cap and other mitigations. I’ve been calling for clarity on this for months so I’m relieved this will be in place in time for the March cliff edge. Now time for better communication (and an end to the two child limit 🙏🏻).

So-called conversion practices are torture, not treatment. These cruel practices have no place in society. No one should face harm because of who they are or who they love. Today, I’m launching a consultation on proposals to ban them.👇 www.allianceparty.org/banning_conv...

The Christmas after my dad passed away, a very kind constituent sent this to my office. I’ll never forget that thoughtfulness. A small gesture that every year will remind me of how fortunate I am to do this job.

I haven’t been very well this week and on doctor’s orders I am taking a bit of a rest (as much as I can with three children, obv 😂). My office is still working away (thank you to my brilliant staff Allie, Victoria and Richard who are holding the fort!). Hopefully be back on form soon.

carries out a cost-benefit calculation: Closing youth clubs was not cost-effective; for every £1 saved from closures, there are associated costs of nearly £3 due to forgone returns to education cost of crime. The shadow and legacy of austerity lingers on. The "big society" was...

I’m over trivial issues getting in the way of the work and I’m over being polite. Our politicians need to stand up for us and call this out! This isn’t the peace we were promised. This isn’t what living in peacetime looks like. Young people should not be getting shot on our streets! #stopattacks

“The attack on Broughshane House is disgraceful and those responsible should face the full consequences of their actions.” –North Antrim MLA Sian Mulholland

Words have direct consequences and I would hope that anyone with a platform in North Antrim would join Cllr Chelsea Harwood and I in condemning this attack on a community space. The Broughshane Community Association and Agewell do so much for the community, this is deplorable.

#MondayMood Dream big, work hard and be gentle with yourself and others. Sometimes the clouds obscure our view but if we do the work our dreams move closer ✨

Nikita Hand’s comments after she won a civil court judgement in the South against Conor McGregor were so powerful : “you can stand up for yourself if something happens to you, no matter who the person is”. If you’ve been triggered by any of the coverage, please seek support rapecrisisni.org.uk

If proof were ever needed that my cuteness peaked early… (and that my mother loved Dallas at the time the family pic was taken…)

I'm totally OK with being called woke. It just means that I'm showing off my green flags. Happy to follow others with green flags. #woke

A CarersNI report says introducing a right to paid carer’s leave & flexible working could generate an extra £103-198 million in tax receipts & benefit expenditure could fall by £40-86 million annually. Supporting & valuing carers really is a win-win policy⤵️ www.allianceparty.org/economy_mini...

So moving to hear personal testimonies at today’s launch of the latest @trusselluk.bsky.social NI report. An Anti-Poverty Strategy isn’t going to be a cure-all but it would give us the policy foundation to build upon. People in poverty have no more time to wait. Thank you to TrussellNI for today

If paramilitaries didn’t exist to coerce & exploit YP then there would be space for groups in w/c communities who support young people & families And maybe investment would end up in the hands of people who enhance their rather than abuse communities Don’t start me on the structural change needed 😡

#Rathlin project seeking volunteers (can be 1 day for individuals or teams) or something longer term volunteer.rspb.org.uk/opportunitie...

𝐒𝐀𝐃 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 | Veteran Northern Ireland journalist, Ballymena man Ken Reid has sadly died at the age of 69 after an illness, his family has announced. Our thoughts are with Ken’s family and friends at this sad time.

On International Men’s Day I’m reminded that so many males are weighed down by societal perceptions too - of what it is to be a man. As the mummy of two boys, I’ll commit to continuing to nurture their language of emotions, concepts of kindness and empathy and importantly - healthy relationships.

I finished audiobook of Poor by Katrina O’Sullivan on my way home. Sobbed through the entire last chapter. I have lots to process and I want to get a physical copy to pick out some of the lines that really hit home. This should be an essential read for every policy maker, teacher, authority figure

📚 Bring the magic of reading to children this Christmas 📚 I’m a big fan of the BookTrust and they have a wonderful campaign this Christmas where a donation from you could mean a child finally has a book to call their own. More info below ⬇️ www.booktrust.org.uk/support-us/m...

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Introduce yourself with some jobs you have had apart from what you do now: Cleaner Shop Assistant Xtravision Manager Music Festival Artist Liaison Cancer charity receptionist Stop Smoking Specialist Digital fundraising trainer Child Protection Trainer Youth Worker

I've been doing that Irish thing of being too embarrassed to say hello, would you like my book? It's The Ghost Limb: Alternative Protestants and the Spirit of 1798. A tribe of 20 modern day northern dissenters go walking around the sites of 1798, asking what this politics could mean for today.

The replies to @katenicholl.bsky.social tweet on being heckled to sit down by a Minister says all you need to know about the attitude to female politicians (and females in general). Totally depressing.

A government minister thought it was appropriate to stride from his place to shout at a member of the Assembly to ‘Sit Down’. There’s political debate and there’s blatant disrespect. Over two decades ago women like Monica McWilliams were moo’d at in the chamber. How far have we really come?