Alliance leader Naomi Long returns to political stage after absence

Alliance leader Naomi Long has returned to the political stage at the party’s first North West autumn conference.

Her speech at the event in the Everglades Hotel in Londonderry marked a public return since a leave of absence due to illness.

The MLA delivered a warning over the bleak political situation in Northern Ireland.

Talks to try and restore power sharing at Stormont failed this week with the Secretary of State saying he would bring forward a budget for Northern Ireland.

Mrs Long said: “While deadlines drift by, and the political talking drifts on, we are all drifting, not in a calm sea, but in dangerous and choppy waters. There are real and serious consequences for us all for lack of an Executive.

“That’s why we are calling on the Secretary of State to reconsider our proposals for an external facilitator to be brought in to give new impetus and focus to the talks.”

She continued: “If we want to see devolution restored, then we need a concerted effort involving all of the parties and the two governments, to find a way through this impasse in a way which acknowledges honestly that these disputes are, at their most fundamental, not simply about a language act or an armed forces covenant.”

Speaking elsewhere on Saturday, Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams said months of continued talks at Stormont are neither feasible nor sustainable.

He added his party will engage in discussions with the DUP, but added they could not continue indefinitely.