Spin this one!?!
David Trimble, former leader of the UUP, is to join the Conservatives. A formal annoucement is expected tomorrow. There are rumours that another UU peer will follow suit in the near future.
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Books
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Lessons in Cute Hoorism: “Graft was accepted, for you were taking from the British…”
I’ve been catching up on some reading, recently. Most pleasantly surprised by John Drennan’s latest opus from Gill and Macmillan, Cute Hoors and Pious Protestors… It’s early days yet, but I was struck by this paragraph, part of a dissection of Fianna Fail near the beginning: One of the more fatal consequences of our colonial [...] read our review »
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Round up of Tuesday’s Political Studies Association conference
If you want to get a flavour of the proceedings at the Political Studies Association conference on its opening day, then the Storify collation below will bring you some of the images, tweets and sounds of the day. Particular highlights included: the Opening Plenary with David Blunkett, Peter Riddell and Matthew Flinders; and the late [...] read our review »
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Is Fianna Fail the new Woolworths of Irish politics?
It’s not published until 3rd March, but one book I recommend you place an advance order for from Slugger’s Bookstore is James Harkin’s Niche. Belfast émigré Harkin examines a number of stories from business, culture and politics and comes to a single insight: everywhere the broad middle is collapsing. He offers Woolworths as an iconic exemplar [...] read our review »
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Two nations,
“Greenflag, give it a rest with the cut-and-paste soliloquies.”
I was explaining to Bonar Law how MORE British he is than he may realise – and thereby assure him that I do indeed get it . As he has not replied I take it he has got it
For every Unionist reading what every Nationalist should remember before they post I’d like to add some modifications to TN’s suggestions.
‘we already know you do not think we are British ‘
Some individual posters may think that but they do not speak for the majority of Irish nationalists. As an Irish nationalist I believe Unionists when they say they are British . I also happen to believe Polish and Chinese people when they say they are Polish or Chinese . I have no problem with Chinese or Polish people or British people either becoming Irish citizens or living and working as indivuals while retaining their original citizenship in our Republic. Their individual choice IMO.
‘we know you want a United Ireland’
There is already a United Ireland at least in the sense that approx 85% of the population on this island see themselves as either solely or primarily Irish by nationality.
Whether there is an NI State or not that sense of Irish unity will continue to exist. It does not necessarily have to mean a ‘politically’ united 32 counties . Given the changing demographics it’s likely that within the next decade that 85% will grow to 90% .
‘we know you think the UK is detrimental to NI ‘
In the here and now the UK is not detrimental to NI . Without the annual 6 billion financial subvention and continued support from Her Majesty’s Exchequer Northern Ireland would have the same standard of living as Greece or maybe Slovenia .
Whether longer term economic dependence on financial life support from the Westminster Exchequer will have any lasting positive benefits for Unionism on this island is another issue .
As for Lord Trimble . One wishes him bon voyage . He is not the first and will not be the last person from this island who has ‘run’ to England to find political succour having been rejected here in Ireland . In a way his ‘political emigration’ is emblematic of ‘unionisms’ political future on this island
Reading the last few pages I think I knew how Mourinho felt watching Colin’s team at OT last night.
Darth, do whatever you want that doesn’t break the law. I’ve never broken the law for any political cause. Anyone who does (in this day and age)needs their head examined.
As for 50%+1. The day that happens unionists will suddenly be a very small, almost insignificant and dwindling minority of less than 10% in Ireland.
But you do bring up a good point about future loyalist violence. Do you favor disarming the loyalists immediately (?). We don’t hear much from the DUP on that front.
‘As for Lord Trimble . One wishes him bon voyage . He is not the first and will not be the last person from this island who has ‘run’ to England to find political succour having been rejected here in Ireland . In a way his ‘political emigration’ is emblematic of ‘unionisms’ political future on this island ‘
Note the underlying racist sentiment of this nonsense. Trimble lives in bloody Lisburn and aint moving.
He is joining the Conservatives – who according the bookies are odds on to be the next of the UK.
i.e. the Govt under which a devolved Stormont operates – which decides expenditure level, taxation and benefits.
As for Trimble being ‘rejected’ – I assume you are equally dismissive of John Hume’s role in the recent history of NI?
Elvis ,
‘Note the underlying racist sentiment ‘
Explain if you can ? Perhaps one has to be a racist to spot it ?
‘Trimble lives in bloody Lisburn and aint moving.’
I don’t recall saying he was ‘moving ‘ Note the NON underlying statements ‘political succour’ and ‘political emigration’ as well as ‘emblematic of unionism ‘
‘ He is joining the Conservatives
‘Not a surprise and somehow entirely appropriate . There is no other political party in the history of these islands that has used both Ireland and Northern Ireland to it’s own advantage in order to climb to power in the UK . Even Edward Carson admitted as much .
Former Unionist leaders will always be welcome in the Conservative Party . They must enjoy the treatment they’ve been getting from the Tories since 1972 .
‘As for Trimble being ‘rejected’ – I assume you are equally dismissive of John Hume’s role in the recent history of NI? ‘
Trimble’s UUP was rejected by the majority of Northern Ireland Unionists -perhaps you haven’t noticed ?.
Both John Hume and David Trimble did their bit to bring the process as far as they could . The fact that they have been replaced by their tribal competitiors is just political Darwinism in action.
‘who according the bookies are odds on to be the next Govt of the UK.’
Is that so ? I’d have thought Gordon Brown’s Labour Gove will be next before Mr Cameron gets a chance .
And that’s all it will be – a chance – a week is a long time in politics – three years an eternity !