Live Reporting

  1. 'First Alliance Member of European Parliament'

    Turning to the European election campaign, Naomi Long says the Alliance “electoral momentum” continued to build.

    “I had the privilege of becoming the first Alliance MEP (Member of European Parliament),” says Mrs Long.

    “Whilst my time in Brussels and Strasbourg was short, it helped us build the connections and networks which have been sustained since Brexit and has strengthened our connections with other liberal parties across Europe through our membership of ALDE and Renew Europe,” explains the Alliance leader.

  2. 'No-one predicted the significant gains' Alliance made

    Naomi Long

    Alliance Leader Naomi Long opens her leader’s speech by paying tribute to some party members who are unable to attend today’s conference due to testing positive with Covid-19.

    Mrs Long says “no-one predicted the significant gains that Alliance would make” ahead of the local government elections.

    She says “winning election is only the starting point, delivering for the electorate is what matters”.

    The Alliance party leader thanks all elected councillors “for they work they do, day in day out, to represent Alliance values and the best interests of their constituents”.

  3. 'Russia stands exposed as a pariah state'

    Stephen FarryNI Assembly

    The conference is running late and Deputy leader of the Alliance Party Stephen Farry is currently speaking at the party conference.

    He references the current violence in Ukraine.

    “This is a dark time for the people of Ukraine,” says the North Down MP.

    “Russia stands exposed as a pariah state.”

    He says a “full spectrum of sanctions” should have been imposed at an earlier stage on Russia.

  4. 'More Alliance MLAs needed to reform power sharing'

    Jayne McCormack
    BBC News NI political correspondent

    Naomi Long

    Naomi Long will address the Alliance Party's annual conference later

    The "only way" to reform the system of power sharing at Stormont is by electing more Alliance MLAs in May, Naomi Long will say later.

    She will address the party's annual conference on Saturday - its first since the pandemic began.

    Mrs Long is leading the party into the second assembly election since she took over in 2016.

    She is expected to tell members that when Alliance "make promises, we keep them".

    The party currently has seven assembly members (MLAs) at Stormont but is hoping that will rise following successful local government, European and Westminster elections in 2019.

    Read more here.

  5. Alliance leader arrives at party conference

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  6. Good morning

    Hello and welcome to the live page.

    We will be bringing you coverage of Naomi Long's leader's speech at the Alliance Party conference in Belfast.

    It is Alliance's first party conference since the Covid-19 pandemic began.

    Stay with us for news and reaction.