It has been a busy week for Alliance leader David Ford. In addition to being appointed Justice Minister, he used his party’s campaign launch yesterday to confirm what many Alliance workers have been suggesting for some time. Introducing Naomi Long, his deputy leader and candidate for East Belfast, home to DUP leader Peter Robinson and UUP leader Sir Reg Empey, he said: “We need non-tribal politicians at Westminster so that the focus can be placed on the most important issues, like our economy and protecting vital frontline services.”