“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.

Alliance pays tribute to former local councillor David Reid, 35, after brave cancer battle

Tributes have been paid by Alliance Party representatives to former Councillor David Reid, who has passed away at age 35 after a courageous battle with cancer.

loveballymena.online

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. 💛

Alliance Party@allianceparty.bsky.social · last yr.

Alliance representatives pay tribute to former Alliance Councillor David Reid. www.allianceparty.org/allian...

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...

Man arrested after Ballymena 'spread with slurry overnight' ahead of town's first Pride parade

Slurry has been spread near streets where a pride parade was due to finish up this afternoon.

thejournal.ie

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’.

Alliance Party@allianceparty.bsky.social · last yr.

Migrants aren't the reason you're struggling to get a GP appointment. Refugees don't cause unaffordable housing. Asylum seekers don't raise your heating bills. These are consequences of decades of chronic underinvestment, unstable government & austerity, says @sianalliance.bsky.social

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...

Mulholland praises swift response following school threats

Mulholland praises swift response following school threats

allianceparty.org

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

a yellow sign that says open for business hangs on a string

Alt: a yellow sign that says open for business hangs on a string

media.tenor.com

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

James McCarthy@jamesmccarthy97.bsky.social · 2y ago

Northern Ireland MP Sorcha Eastwood has issued legal proceedings against controversial ‘influencers’ Andrew and Tristan Tate.

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...

Alliance representatives express disappointment over Balnamore Primary School closure announcement

Alliance representatives express disappointment over Balnamore Primary School closure announcement

allianceparty.org

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

Sian Mulholland MLA@sianalliance.bsky.social · 2y ago

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...

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...

Communication and Outreach Officer PT

Sian Mulholland MLA is recruiting a Communication and Outreach Officer to carry out the function of providing communication support and engagement with stakeholders for her as Alliance MLA for North A...

communityni.org

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

Donate to Bringing Pride To Mid & East Antrim, organized by Mid And East Antrim Pride

I’m Curtis, chair of MEA Pride & Ballymena has been home for the past 6 … Mid And East Antrim Pride needs your support for Bringing Pride To Mid & East Antrim

gofund.me

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.

Peter Donaghy@peterdonaghy.bsky.social · 2y ago

Not sure about a couple of these, but I think these are the best selling artists from each county in Ireland.

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...

“4 in 5 UK musicians have lost work because of Brexit”: Unwrapping the legacy of Britain's EU exit on musicians

A shocking insight into how British musicians have suffered in the wake of the country's 2016 referendum to leave the European Union

musicradar.com

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 🙏🏻).

Darran Marshall@dmarshall.bsky.social · 2y ago

The Stormont executive has agreed to extend welfare mitigation payments for another three years. www.bbc.com/news/article...

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