Alliance Party leader Naomi Long addressed her party's annual conference in Belfast on Saturday. She serves as justice minister in the Northern Ireland Executive and has led Alliance for nearly 10 years. The party holds two ministerial posts and ranks third largest in the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Long stated that Alliance's participation in the power-sharing Executive requires a balance. She indicated the party would change course if key priorities face vetoes or delays. Alliance will not accept its role being assumed as permanent, she added.

The conference marked the party's third since devolution returned in February 2024. That followed a two-year collapse caused by the Democratic Unionist Party's boycott over post-Brexit trade rules. The DUP ended the protest after a UK government agreement.

Long grew up during the Troubles and said she will not allow progress to stall. She described Alliance as optimistic and focused on building through hope. The party has grown to reflect community changes, she noted.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham spoke to the conference. He called the UK political system flawed for Northern Ireland and other regions. Burnham described the situation at Westminster as code-red and urged major reforms through joint efforts.

Long thanked Burnham and voiced support for his Westminster reform push. Before the event, Burnham met Social Democratic and Labour Party members, including leader Claire Hanna.