But this week also underlined the difficulties of mandatory coalition. Sharing an Executive with parties who hold very different views will always be challenging, and never more so than when it comes to dealing with our past. On Tuesday, our Assembly team brought forward a debate on legacy. Sadly, Alliance chose to side with Sinn Fein in voting to remove the word innocent when speaking about victims. Naomi Long then went on the media to defend the indefensible - suggesting that terrorists, the victim makers, could themselves be considered victims.
That is simply wrong. It is a painful insult to the families who wake every day without their loved ones, stolen by terrorists who chose violence and death. These people did not ask to become victims. They were robbed of life, and their families left broken hearted. To equate them with those who planted bombs or pulled triggers is shameful.
Once again, we saw the true colours of Alliance. For all their branding as the “nice” and “moderate” party, their positions increasingly reveal an extreme and radical agenda. In Lagan Valley or in North Antrim, do those who support Alliance truly believe that an IRA bomber should be called a victim? Do they stand over policies that allow biological men into women’s changing rooms? These are not moderate positions. They are radical, and they are wrong.
The media has for too long given Alliance an easy ride. It is time the spotlight was properly shone on them - to expose them as the radical, increasingly nationalist-leaning party they are.
The DUP will continue to stand firmly for what is right, for fairness, and for the innocent victims who must never be forgotten.
Have a great weekend,
