Alliance councillor Michael Long was recently subjected to a brutal assault by two men while he was canvassing in the east Belfast area. The incident, which has shocked the political community, has once again highlighted the need to tackle the rising problem of violence against politicians. In this article, we will explore the details of the event and what it means for the safety and security of politicians in Northern Ireland.
Alliance election candidate Michael Long has stated that he will not allow street bullies to deter him from canvassing his constituency. Councillor Long, who is married to Alliance Party leader Naomi Long, was subjected to verbal and physical abuse whilst electioneering on Carncaver Road in his Council ward. Two men approached him and told him to leave the area. When he tried to move on, his path was blocked and he was attacked. Councillor Long said he would be back canvassing within the hour and that the incident would not deter him. The police have been informed of the attack.
Councillor Long has served as a councillor for the area for 22 years and revealed that he has never seen such levels of intimidation before. As a local councillor, he serves everyone in the community and sees the attack as an assault on the democratic process. He returned to the streets within an hour and plans to continue reaching out to the people of Lisnasharragh, as he has always done.
Other politicians have also faced intimidation whilst electioneering in Northern Ireland. Last year, a councillor from the People Before Profit party was threatened and attacked by three men in East Belfast. Hannah Kenny was grabbed by the throat and threatened in detail if she returned to the area. Paul Doherty, a candidate from the SDLP, was also challenged whilst canvassing in the Shankill area.
Politicians in Northern Ireland have also faced physical assault. Elsie Trainor, an SDLP candidate for South Belfast, was assaulted after chasing two youths who were stealing her election posters. One of the youths grabbed her phone as she filmed them and she was forced against a fence.
These incidents highlight the dangers of canvassing in Northern Ireland. With tensions already high due to Brexit and the ongoing political situation, it is crucial that politicians are able to campaign without fear of intimidation or assault. The police have condemned the recent attack on Councillor Long and have appealed for anyone with information to come forward.
The Alliance Party has also spoken out against the attack on Councillor Long. A spokesperson for the party stated: “This is completely unacceptable behavior and should not be happening in any society, much less in a democratic one.” They also reported that they had received reports of other incidents involving their candidates and that they would not be deterred from campaigning.
It is important for democracy that politicians can campaign safely and freely. Whilst Northern Ireland has made progress in recent years, with power-sharing returning to the Northern Ireland Assembly in January 2020 after a three-year deadlock, incidents like these highlight the need for continued efforts to build a more tolerant and respectful society. In the meantime, politicians like Michael Long are determined to continue reaching out to their constituents, despite the risks involved.
