0:00:10 > 0:00:12Amazing changes happen to our lives
0:00:12 > 0:00:15when people embrace forward-thinking ideas.
0:00:15 > 0:00:17It's easy to forget just how powerful we can be
0:00:17 > 0:00:20when we step forward and choose something new.
0:00:20 > 0:00:24"Who wants to hear actors speak?" argued Warner Brothers Film Studio
0:00:24 > 0:00:28back in 1927, when someone suggested an improvement to silent movies.
0:00:28 > 0:00:31"Guitar groups are on the way out," said a Decca Records executive,
0:00:31 > 0:00:35explaining why they were turning down The Beatles in 1962.
0:00:35 > 0:00:37But people soon proved them wrong.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40Change happened when people stepped forward.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43It happens in politics too.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46100 years ago, women in Northern Ireland stepped forward.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49A few at first, but the numbers quickly grew.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51They'd had enough of the way things were.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54They wanted equal rights to vote for the people who governed them.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57The idea that women shouldn't have the same rights to vote as men
0:00:57 > 0:00:59seems extraordinary now.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02But it only happened because women stepped forward.
0:01:02 > 0:01:0550 years later, in Europe and the USA,
0:01:05 > 0:01:07another generation stepped forward,
0:01:07 > 0:01:11seeking equal votes for everyone, and an end to discrimination.
0:01:11 > 0:01:15Some in authority tried to resist, but the case for change
0:01:15 > 0:01:18and the numbers demanding it were too strong.
0:01:18 > 0:01:23All over the world, change happens when people step forward. Even here.
0:01:23 > 0:01:27In 1998, three out of every four people stepped forward
0:01:27 > 0:01:30to endorse the Good Friday Agreement,
0:01:30 > 0:01:32making clear their intention that no-one,
0:01:32 > 0:01:37whether politician or paramilitary, should take Northern Ireland back.
0:01:37 > 0:01:39That belief in the power of people to change things
0:01:39 > 0:01:43motivated those who stepped forward and started the Alliance Party
0:01:43 > 0:01:46over 40 years ago. And it's what still drives us today.
0:01:46 > 0:01:50We believe that most people here actually want things to be better.
0:01:50 > 0:01:54And we believe that if enough people step forward, our politics,
0:01:54 > 0:01:59our economy, and our community will take big steps forward too.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02Steps towards openness, prosperity and diversity.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04Big steps,
0:02:04 > 0:02:06like making all our public spaces shared,
0:02:06 > 0:02:09where everyone feels safe to live, work and play,
0:02:09 > 0:02:13free from the intimidation that comes from having flags
0:02:13 > 0:02:16and murals that say, "Keep out."
0:02:16 > 0:02:18But not all politicians support change.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21Many are happy with the way things are.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24People stepping forward doesn't suit THEIR agenda.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27Things staying the same suits them very nicely, thank you.
0:02:27 > 0:02:31After all, it's easy to say no, to stand still, or worse,
0:02:31 > 0:02:33to take steps backwards.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36Much harder to step forward into the future
0:02:36 > 0:02:39and imagine shared schools where children from different backgrounds
0:02:39 > 0:02:42are taught together and learn to respect each other's culture.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45Not to mention the millions of taxpayers' pounds it saves us
0:02:45 > 0:02:48every year. But this isn't our only plan
0:02:48 > 0:02:51to help Northern Ireland take big steps forward.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54We also want to reduce needless wasteful bureaucracy,
0:02:54 > 0:02:57and to make public services more transparent,
0:02:57 > 0:03:00to invest in better childcare, innovation
0:03:00 > 0:03:02and sustainable transport.
0:03:02 > 0:03:06In education, apprenticeships, and youth employment initiatives.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09And we also have plans that would be a big step forward
0:03:09 > 0:03:12for our new councils, which will be elected on the 22nd of May.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15Your new council will have additional powers,
0:03:15 > 0:03:17including community planning.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20Alliance councillors will work tirelessly to make sure
0:03:20 > 0:03:23that these powers are used for everyone's benefit -
0:03:23 > 0:03:26not just for one section of the community or another.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29Wouldn't that be a BIG step forward?
0:03:29 > 0:03:30Working for everyone,
0:03:30 > 0:03:34Alliance councillors will breathe new life into our town centres
0:03:34 > 0:03:37and high streets by pushing for a plan to regenerate them,
0:03:37 > 0:03:40and reaching out to local business.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43We will tackle sectarianism by making sure that councils
0:03:43 > 0:03:45invest in good relations,
0:03:45 > 0:03:47and ensuring that regenerated areas
0:03:47 > 0:03:50and council-run services are inclusive to everyone.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53We will make sure that we safeguard the environment,
0:03:53 > 0:03:56by improving our recycling services, making sure the council
0:03:56 > 0:04:00uses green energy, and sustaining our local parks.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02And we will make sure that young people are involved in the work
0:04:02 > 0:04:06our councils do, by engaging with them and providing better services.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09Alliance councillors will make sure that our communities
0:04:09 > 0:04:14are prosperous, vibrant and sustainable places for everyone.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18But to help Alliance take these positive steps forward,
0:04:18 > 0:04:21we first need YOU to do the same.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25These ideas can only become reality, change will only happen
0:04:25 > 0:04:28if people like you step forward.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31If you have had enough of the way things are,
0:04:31 > 0:04:35don't sit at home frustrated. Don't let others hold your community back.
0:04:35 > 0:04:39If you want Northern Ireland to be a better place for everyone,
0:04:39 > 0:04:43full of equality, opportunity and prosperity,
0:04:43 > 0:04:47on May the 22nd, step forward and vote Alliance.