Alliance Party 08/05/2014 Party Election Broadcasts for the European Parliament

Amazing changes happen to our lives

when people embrace forward-thinking ideas.

It's easy to forget just how powerful we can be

when we step forward and choose something new.

"Who wants to hear actors speak?" argued Warner Brothers Film Studio

back in 1927, when someone suggested an improvement to silent movies.

"Guitar groups are on the way out," said a Decca Records executive,

explaining why they were turning down The Beatles in 1962.

But people soon proved them wrong.

Change happened when people stepped forward.

It happens in politics too.

100 years ago, women in Northern Ireland stepped forward.

A few at first, but the numbers quickly grew.

They'd had enough of the way things were.

They wanted equal rights to vote for the people who governed them.

The idea that women shouldn't have the same rights to vote as men

seems extraordinary now.

But it only happened because women stepped forward.

50 years later, in Europe and the USA,

another generation stepped forward,

seeking equal votes for everyone, and an end to discrimination.

Some in authority tried to resist, but the case for change

and the numbers demanding it were too strong.

All over the world, change happens when people step forward. Even here.

In 1998, three out of every four people stepped forward

to endorse the Good Friday Agreement,

making clear their intention that no-one,

whether politician or paramilitary, should take Northern Ireland back.

That belief in the power of people to change things

motivated those who stepped forward and started the Alliance Party

over 40 years ago. And it's what still drives us today.

We believe that most people here actually want things to be better.

And we believe that if enough people step forward, our politics,

our economy, and our community will take big steps forward too.

Steps towards openness, prosperity and diversity.

Big steps,

like making all our public spaces shared,

where everyone feels safe to live, work and play,

free from the intimidation that comes from having flags

and murals that say, "Keep out."

But not all politicians support change.

Many are happy with the way things are.

People stepping forward doesn't suit THEIR agenda.

Things staying the same suits them very nicely, thank you.

After all, it's easy to say no, to stand still, or worse,

to take steps backwards.

Much harder to step forward into the future

and imagine shared schools where children from different backgrounds

are taught together and learn to respect each other's culture.

Not to mention the millions of taxpayers' pounds it saves us

every year. But this isn't our only plan

to help Northern Ireland take big steps forward.

We also want to reduce needless wasteful bureaucracy,

and to make public services more transparent,

to invest in better childcare, innovation

and sustainable transport.

In education, apprenticeships, and youth employment initiatives.

And we also have plans that would be a big step forward

for our new councils, which will be elected on the 22nd of May.

Your new council will have additional powers,

including community planning.

Alliance councillors will work tirelessly to make sure

that these powers are used for everyone's benefit -

not just for one section of the community or another.

Wouldn't that be a BIG step forward?

Working for everyone,

Alliance councillors will breathe new life into our town centres

and high streets by pushing for a plan to regenerate them,

and reaching out to local business.

We will tackle sectarianism by making sure that councils

invest in good relations,

and ensuring that regenerated areas

and council-run services are inclusive to everyone.

We will make sure that we safeguard the environment,

by improving our recycling services, making sure the council

uses green energy, and sustaining our local parks.

And we will make sure that young people are involved in the work

our councils do, by engaging with them and providing better services.

Alliance councillors will make sure that our communities

are prosperous, vibrant and sustainable places for everyone.

But to help Alliance take these positive steps forward,

we first need YOU to do the same.

These ideas can only become reality, change will only happen

if people like you step forward.

If you have had enough of the way things are,

don't sit at home frustrated. Don't let others hold your community back.

If you want Northern Ireland to be a better place for everyone,

full of equality, opportunity and prosperity,

on May the 22nd, step forward and vote Alliance.