Despite promising a standalone Hate Crime Bill for years, both previously as Minister and in the Alliance manifesto, Naomi Long now says there is unlikely to be a dedicated Hate Crime Bill in NI. With hate crime rising, and after years of promises, it simply isn't good enough 👇

Proud to be at Stormont today to hear Cllr. Lilian Seenoi Barr (MRS BARR)-SDLP & Matthew O'Toole powerfully articulate the SDLP’s principled and practical opposition to intolerance and support for public services

"People are genuinely very anxious...it's no way to live." SDLP MP for South Belfast & Mid Down Claire Hanna speaks with Fran McNulty about the tense atmosphere in Belfast. RTÉ News | #rtept

🚲 Ravenhill Rd Protected Cycle Lane is a local SDLP priority. We’ve campaigned with residents for years to ensure it includes new crossing at Ardenlee Ave. DfI intend to move forward with the dual-way option we proposed which will deliver longest poss stretch of protected lane.

Proud to stand with hundreds of people at City Hall this evening as we send a clear message that Belfast rejects racism. Solidarity with everyone who has been impacted by events in recent days. Not in our name.

Belfast rejects hate, fear and fascists ✊

15,000 in Belfast saying No to Racism, No to Division

You ran your heart out 💚 so close 🤏 but you have no idea how proud we are 🥹 Massive National Record 🔥 3:19.90 !!! #TeamIreland | #Paris2024

This is disgusting. And putting children in this position is nothing short of child abuse. Derry, resolutely, opposes this senseless violence.

Yesterday’s anti racism rally in Belfast was uplifting & inspiring for the many of us frightened and disheartened by the intimidation & violence of the far right. There is a lot work to do against misinformation, poverty & paramilitarism but a huge movement of people to do. 📺

Grateful to be elected as chair of the Social Policy Working Group by fellow councillors today.  Look forward to the year ahead and continuing to work towards achieving Belfast's ambition of an inclusive city, building more vibrant communities and ensuring that no one is left

𝟐 𝐑𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐋𝐆𝐁𝐓+ 𝐇𝐮𝐛 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ For decades NI’s LGBT+ Orgs haven’t had a permanent base. After years of us campaigning together - today SEUPB announced almost £1m to transform the 1st floor of 2RA into the LGBT+ Hub.

Doug and I have different politics but I’ve always admired his candour and commitment to working together in the interests of the people we represent. I know this won’t be the end of his political contribution but hope he enjoys some more time to spend with his loving family.

We have a crisis in public service funding and instead of dealing with it, Executive Departments are starting fights over who sends letters to who? This is embarrassing, it looks so petty and we don’t have time for it. Ministers need to get a grip and get to work.

Politics is never frozen in a moment of time. The new challenge is always the next challenge. Thank you, @ColumEastwood.

Most political leaders use resignations for rose-tinted reflection. Today Colum was relentlessly future focussed, setting out what’s next for him and how he’ll use his energy and talents to help break down the divisions on our island. A huge asset for the New Ireland movement.

I’ll never forget the feeling I had hearing the news on my father’s car radio that the IRA had announced a ceasefire 30 years ago today. The road to peace has not been a straight one but we now live on a changed island, finally at peace. Change can happen. Hope won.

Welcome the suspension of 30 arms exports licenses to Israel, something I’ve been arguing for since the start. Removing the tools of genocide from Netanyahu who has deployed overwhelming and devastating deadly force against civilians, including children, is critical.

‘We were told [scores of meetings between Executive parties and the civil service] were to enable the new administration to ‘hit the ground running’, when in reality they appear to have immediately fallen flat.’ Where are the MIA First Ministers? irishnews.com/news/northern-…

For ‘significant’ read ‘basic’. It is literally the most basic function of government to have a programme of work. The only significant part of this is that it took them seven further months to agree it after years of negotiation.