Robin Newton MBE MLA

East Belfast DUP MLA Robin Newton said the elevation of Lord Alderdice to the position of Liberal Democrats chair in the House of Lords is further proof of Alliance’s joined at the hip relationship with the Lib Dems. Mr. Newton said this demonstrates the mockery of Naomi Long’s attempt to put a distance between herself and the Lib Dems by sitting on the opposition benches.

Robin Newton said,

“Naomi Long was endorsed by Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg just days before the General Election. Over many years the Alliance Party bragged about their sister party type relationship with the Liberal Democrats. It seems the embarrassment of the Con–Lib government’s severe financial cuts that has prevented Alliance’s Naomi Long joining the Liberal Democrats on the Government benches. Her pretence at independence is a shallow and cynical attempt to disassociate herself from the Con – Lib coalition cuts.
 
The Alliance attempt to feign independence has been blown out of the water with their former leader’s Lord Alderdice new role in chairing the Lib Dem’s Parliamentary Party in the House of Lords.  This is transparent nonsense and makes Alliance a political laughing stock.

It was all too easy for Alliance while they had no responsibility at Westminster to cosy up to the Lib Dems and conjure up a special relationship.  Now that the Conservative – Liberal Democrats are in Government and unpopular decisions are being made the Alliance Party is trying to throw its baggage over board.”