Two defections and one selection…
THE deputy chairman of the DUP’s youth association, Edward Hanna (25), has announced he will be joining the Ulster Unionists. The ex-DUP executive member claimed: “The centre of DUP politics has moved from its community base and people have taken to being very arrogant and not entirely out of touch but certainly politics driven by the people. The DUP completely ripped up their manifestos after the elections. There was no consultation with the people, there was no consultation anywhere.” The DUP responded: “In this case it would be best described as sour grapes. It is up to Mr Hanna if he wishes to use arrogance and rumours as an excuse and cover.” More unusually, the former chairman of the SDLP’s Bangor branch, Andrew Muir (pictured), is joining the Alliance Party. And in the Foyle constituency, Sinn Fein has selected Martina Anderson to take Mark Durkan on in the next general election.Muir told the Belfast Telegraph his decision was in no way a criticism of leader Mark Durkan.
But he argued that with the SDLP on course to merge with Fianna Fail this year, the time was right to realign himself with a party “in tune with the real issues facing Northern Ireland today”.
“The politics of Northern Ireland are now fundamentally different than in 1998, when the Good Friday Agreement was signed, never mind 1970 when the SDLP was formed,” he said.
“As a passionate supporter of the Good Friday Agreement, the Alliance Party provides me with a natural centrist home in the post-nationalist era we now live.
“The threat of terrorism and environmental catastrophe now means that the need for European unity outweighs desires for old fashioned Irish unity.
But an SDLP spokesman claimed Mr Muir’s departure was motivated by personal ambition.
“Because there is a major review of local government underway which is likely to reduce the number of councils to 15 and delay the elections by a year or two; also, local electoral boundaries are disgracefully out of date and need reviewing.”
And because boundaries are undemocratic we’re we’re going to extend the tenures of our undemocratically elected councillors by two years and disrupt a four year cycle that goes back four decades? Funny kind of improvement to our democracy.
Re the RPA, the first 7 council proposal wasn’t much more than a merger of existing boroughs (although a golf course somewhere near Dundonald was ceded to Belfast). A corresponding merger of the councils would make more sense than putting off elections until after the changes are investigated, proposed, agreed and implemented.
Unless wards are divided between different new councils there’s not much of a problem.
Pounder;
“selling his soul”?
How so? What principle is he forgoing?
Gum,
Idealogically opposite?
The SDLP and FF?
How so?
One’s a christian democratic/liberal, constitutional nationalist party with romantic but peaceful republican attachments…and the other’s…..
Sammy,
You shouldn’t really say things that out loud. The official reason you knocked those doors in Nov was to build a profile and relationship for your party. ;o)
The problems of Foyle are unique to Foyle, nor are they capable of being easily solved by whole governments, never mind one MP
So why would Martina be able to make the difference she so outlandishly claims that she can?
Of course she can’t. But she is a politician, of course she’ll say she can!
Twinbrook – in your non answer to my direct question (how have SF delivered on job creation -as you say they have?) you say you dont deal in generalities.
Only when it suits you though. Earlier you gave us a grand list of generalities in setting out SF’s achievements in west Belfast.
So where is the evidence of their role in job creation please?
(interesting that in your next whine you claim mass unemployment to be one of the problems in the area. Your guys really musn’t be all that good at the old job creation then…..)
in comparison to the activities of the stoops when they had the seat at Westminster and when without the presence of SF in any form at council level…..the stoops had a clear field day and did squat all for the people of West Belfast…
SF`s record speaks for itself…
why else are they continually elected regularly out polling the dwindling sdlp…
maybe SF knocks on every door and forces the electorate to vote!!!!
Sorry Twinbrook but again you haven’t answered the question. Earlier on this thread you wrote, “I`ve seen their work in action, job creation, more accountable policing.”
I am simply asking what work you have seen from SF on job creation. Your failure to answer speaks volume about you and your political heroes.
We’ll leave it at that then.
>If Martina Anderson isn’t a threat to the last wall of the crumbling SDLP empire why is the
>party running around Derry like headless chickens trying to keep up with her, any gamblers >out there get the bets on now when the odds are good
Aye, we’re all pissing ourselves after she took ten thousand to Belfast in her cavalcade and yet managed to fit them all into a minibus. She has no chance. Martin ran away, Mitchell ran away. Martina is irrelevant. Only one party could possibly take over Foyle from the SDLP and it isn’t SF.
I would have thought that Martina Anderson would be a very strong candidate for Foyle?
Surely the good people of Derry are all for her “Unionist Out[strike]reach[/strike]” programme? Is that not pretty evident, considering the demographic shifts within that city over the past 3 decades?
I’ve tried hard not to say it all day but screw it:
Did Sammy have a he’s not the only gay running for village council moment?
[i]Idealogically opposite?
The SDLP and FF?
How so? [/i]
The SDLP still claim to be a party of the left, whose policies are rooted in a social conscience. Whether that is true or not is an argument for another thread. My point is that this is hardly a description of Fianna Fail. While FF will be all things to all men at election time they have nothing in common with the supposed shiboleths of the SDLP.
I’ve nothing against them merging, I just don’t see how disappearing into FF is a victory for the party.
Is Eddie Hanna another result of the Thomas Hogg (DUA Chair) purge?
Started off this year as a thriving organisation in both social and Student Council context, now they struggle to name half of the original 30+ councillors elected in October who they can say are still members.
Another major problem the DUA face is the age groups within it, it is dominated enormously by first years therefore leaving them with a lack of political experience which is becoming increasingly obvious in Council.
refusal to answer????
Surely what it highlights is the bogus credentials of someone who is pretending to be from West Belfast in the vain attempt at innuendo and a pathetic attempt at fudging!!!
Surely if you presume to know the happenings of West Belfast then you would off course be aware of what SF has done?
So do you admit that in comparison with SF, the stoops record fades…
constituency work, advice centres, workers on the streets dealing with and working with the community
compare that with the stoops?
Now do you also agree that the stoops are a spent force hence the continuing electoral free fall, a non-existent membership,(the reminder in their over 50`s)and a rush to join any party that will keep them afloat and in a job!!!
As to SF being my heroes….
When they get it wrong, I`m not slow in voicing my criticism as I`m neither a SF member or do think they are without defect or fault just like all those who serve…
But what I do gave them credit for…is their tireless work.
as a past member of the DUA (just graduated), I have to say all my friends who are still in the DUA are glad thomas hogg is the chairman. they had over 30 students at stormont a week or so ago for a tour apparently-pics on their website as proof.
the overiding memory of hanna was someone who talked plenty, did very little. and thats what a lot of people in the orange and dup say.
all the best with him basil…..good job its voluntary!
Twinbrook,
SDLP = Stoop Down Low Party
SF/IRA/MI5 = Bend over backwards and take the Queen’s shilling while you’re at it party. Scap, DD and now the great one’s chauffeur – that’s job creation for ya!
Wind your neck in!
And before you call me a Stoop, I’m not. I just can’t abide by aggressive hectoring fanatics who give republicanism a bad name.
That all sounds fine Twinbrook but YOU STILL DON’T ANSWER the question.
Earlier in this thread you claimed to have seen in person, SF’s work at job creation in west Belfast.
All i am asking is where did you see this? what form did it take? was it successful?
and you can’t answer that question, making your ealrier comment patently bullshit.
“Now the stoops would want us to forget all the support they gave to the RUC albeit with some reservation but support which flew in the face of the majority of Nationalists, who could not support a political sectarian anti-Catholic force, in league with loyalist death gangs… ”
Don’t even talk about death gangs…
At least the SDLP weren’t riddled with MI5 and RUC spies. Which party brought us Patten? A clue; it certainly wasn’t Sinn Fein. A few years ago despite the PSNI undergoing dramatic reform it apparently wasn’t ok for SF to join policing boards but last year with nothing of note happening as regards policing as such then it was fine. Why? Political expediency. SF play politics with these things, the SDLP bring about change.
“Isn`t this thread about further defections in the ever decreasing numbers of the SDLP?”
One defection of a relatively minor figure is no big deal. Many defections of councillors and even a SF MLA would strike me as more worrying!
Re Andrew,
I think that maybe this just shows that even within integrationist liberalism we still have a split according to geography/community. It seems to me that as a Bangor man, Andrew has just tactically recognized this and has moved to the liberal party which tends to win more votes in his borough.
If or when FF merge with the SDLP, reintegrate the last remnants of the PD’s and formalise their membership of the European Liberal Democratic and Reform Party, we may have two members of that wider European party active in NI; FF and the UK LibDem aligned Alliance.
If so I’m hopeful that FF-Alliance-Green-Independents becomes a regular coalition in NI politics (as FF-PD-Green-Independents has in the South) – and also that this example encourages FG to take a similar route into NI in coalition with their Christian Democratic EPP partners in the UUP.
I’d go as far as to say that as our social and economic interests take increasing priority over sectional identity these coalitions seem to me the logical next step.
So can the Alliance Party zealots hold back on the SDLP “soul selling” attacks please? I’m not sure they’ll do anything but discourage a few SDLP/FF transfers that Alliance should welcome.
I would like to clear up a few irregular comments which appear on this blog site.
Firstly could I say that in regards to a job at stormont. I was greatful of the job opportunity which I was offered, but due to my commitments within my current employment I declined the offer. If anyone wishes to drag this out I can give them a copy of the letter and email which I sent after being offered the job. So maybe the DUP hacks can crawl back into their shell after more lies and retract their comment.
Secondly I was never a former member of the UUP. I became interested in politics when I was 20 and joined the DUA and the DUP when I came to Queens.
Once again more misguiding information.
Thirdly I had no intention of running in a By election in Dromore- Would you not have to put your name forward for consideration first. Yet I know that is maybe not the traditional way of doing things in some branches of the DUP.
As for those who believe I did nothing at Queens as an elected officer do so out of jealousy as they were unable to stir up enough interest to get elected themselves?? Yes I would admit alot of talking was done but I ask how many DUP MP’s MLA’S and Councillors talked loads and got nothing to show for their time at Queens for the Unionist community. I think many young Protestants remember that night in the Mandela Hall!!!
Can I say my whole time in office I never once got any support from my party, never a phone call and at one stage was told that I should no take my seat on the executive at Queens as I could not sit with Sinn Fein/ IRA. My, how times have changed.
As for the Orange comment I persume you are not an orangeman and are out of touch with the local community, especially in Dromore- maybe a bit like your party.
I am glad to have made the move to the UUP and look forward to the challenge of rebuilding the party. I looked forward to the challenge at Queens and equally look forward to the massive challenge of helping to rebuild the UUP.
I believe the comments on this site help cement my comments and decision to move. Its great to have own opinion and ideas, not having to clone myself on senior members of the DUP and no longer playing fiddle to attitude of
“do as I say and not what I do”
Well said Edward.
Edward,
how did the job working for the orange order go during the summer? Much end product?
Have to agree with young Edward!
What shape is the DUA at Queen’s now? Worst it has ever been!
Within my memory i never remember Unionists loosing the majority on SRC?
And What else have these young DUPs delivered? very little!
They should concentrate less on that party job and more on their degrees!
roland rat,
Having seen the end product it went exceptionally well!
Edward,
any mates of mine that went to the mandela hall that night left after an hour pretty disgusted that any refernces to britishness where not welcome. are you not all ‘simply british’ now?
and one night is all you have to show for your work?
Ulidian,
Interesting view on the OO stuff – i’ve had a different persepctive on it from sources.
When the big man stands in the pulpit and says certain members of the DUP owe him their ‘soul’ then its time to pension this god off. Also i see he is now using the old UUP soundbite that ‘decent’ people vote DUP.
Jesus wept!
I was at the Mandela Hall and had a great night basking in the Prod culture- don’t seem to recall any anti- British remarks but do recall a shout of no surrender something the DUP have long spoutted but since forgotten.
Ulidian you seem to have seen this oo book, from my sources I believe it would make an interesting read!!!!
“If or when FF merge with the SDLP, reintegrate the last remnants of the PDs and formalise their membership of the European Liberal Democratic and Reform Party, we may have two members of that wider European party active in NI; FF and the UK LibDem aligned Alliance.”
I think there is a reformist (Fianna Fail, the PDs, the SDLP & Alliance do not easily sit with the “liberal” title) v statist (SF/DUP) divide opening up in NI over the coming years.
I wouldn’t go so far as to hook up Fine Gael & the UUP – but a reformist coalition reaching across the communal divide is as you suggest with Fianna Fail & Alliance/Liberal Unionist at its core is in prospect.
roland rat,
Maybe your friends were at the wrong night!?
And one night is not all to show for the work done! I can mind being at several things at queen’s which ed was involved in!
Perhaps you would like to show what has been done since? Apart from the very small DUP love in that took place in the great hall?
As for the OO work,
You obviously associate with the wrong people.
You shouldn’t really say things that out loud. The official reason you knocked those doors in Nov was to build a profile and relationship for your party
No, the official reason I knocked those doors was because of my commitment to my community and because I’d already seen that repeat of Top Gear on Dave.
Besides, there’s nothing wrong with a bit of ambition in Alliance – the SDLP have already admitted that people leave the SDLP if they’re ambitious.
Did Sammy have a he’s not the only gay running for village council moment?
Not being Dafydd from Little Britain, I never really fancied the idea of being the only gay in the village. After all, if you’re the only gay in the village you can’t do gay things like form a male voice choir, join an amateur dramatic society, or indeed (by logical deduction) have sex.
Seriously, I’ve always wanted to be the first person in NI to be elected out and proud, but if I have to share the honour with a comrade, I’ll be happy to do so.
If or when FF merge with the SDLP, reintegrate the last remnants of the PD’s and formalise their membership of the European Liberal Democratic and Reform Party, we may have two members of that wider European party active in NI; FF and the UK LibDem aligned Alliance.
What makes you think ALDE would take FF? FG are naturally members of ALDE rather than the EPP, especially now that they can join ALDE without joining ELDR. FF could fill FG’s vacated place in EPP, into which they would fit quite happily.
By the way, you do know that no-one actually cares about this stuff in the real world, don’t you?
People keep telling me how Fianna Fáil are going to abolish rain in the Summer and cure the common cold when they come North. We’ll see. But please forgive me for being underwhelmed in the absence of actual evidence.
So the stoops bring change…..
is that why the electorate have turned their backs on them?
A membership that gets smaller as the weeks go by?
A party split into different factions rife with tenions with the Derry faction at present calling the shots…
Twinbrook
I was reluctant to get involved in this, but would you answer the question raised by Brendan, Belfast? Where are the job creation initiatives?
You keep saying that the SDLP’s vote is in decline. No one’s arguing with that. And a big part of it may be because of the decline of the SDLP, but that doesn’t prove your point.
Unless, of course, your point is simply to have a go at the SDLP.
Your writing style reminds me a lot of that guy involved in the last ‘high profile’ defection from the SDLP some time back. A Vice Chairman or some such. All we’re missing is an attack on the ‘Attwood Cabal’.
So, what have SF done for job creation in West Belfast?
(Blaming the Brits isn’t a valid answer either)
Well done Andrew on Stormont Live.
Eddie Hanna – what a joke.
you’ve had your 5 seconds of fame, exit stage left.
Moving from one “bent-over-a-barrell” party of loving-all-things-english slaves to another party that have the same slave attitude is hardly going to make much of a different to this part of occupied Ireland now is it. Arise my dear slaves and throw off the chains of England before your children get ingrained with the same inferior-to-the-english mentality that you possess.
I was at the Mandela Hall and had a great night basking in the Prod culture- don’t seem to recall any anti- British remarks but do recall a shout of no surrender something the DUP have long spoutted but since forgotten.
Was this the same cry of “No Surrender”, after which Eddie Hanna shit himself? Was this the same concert at which Eddie Hanna offered his unflinching support for the DUP and spoke of “the new dawn for Northern Ireland” (a reference to the Paisley/Adams press conference)?
What an absolute hypocrite.
Moving from one “bent-over-a-barrell” party of loving-all-things-english slaves to another party that have the same slave attitude is hardly going to make much of a different to this part of occupied Ireland now is it. Arise my dear slaves and throw off the chains of England before your children get ingrained with the same inferior-to-the-english mentality that you possess.
Who said that the drugs don’t work?
Slaves All
“Another major problem the DUA face is the age groups within it, it is dominated enormously by first years ….”
I know – having lots of new recruits is always a serious problem for political parties???
Atleast Eddie Hanna won’t have that problem in his new party.
Dear DUP Secretary,
Please accept my resignation from this sectarian group of back-woods-men who kneel at the alter of all-things-english because I believe myself to be inferior to that race of people and don’t have the cahona’s to even consider independence for this miserable statelet that we like to call Norn Iron. From now on I will be doing my business with the infamous UUP, who also grovel at the feet of the englishman, but we do it in better suits.
Your humble slave-minded unionist,
Edwardo.
“So the stoops bring change…..
is that why the electorate have turned their backs on them?
A membership that gets smaller as the weeks go by?
A party split into different factions rife with tenions with the Derry faction at present calling the shots…”
Look up ‘non sequitur’ in the dictionary.
I know I have joined this thread abit late but its marvellous to see the SDLP members and supporters on asking what has Sinn Fein done for West Belfast while telling us that they will hold Foyle.
What has the SDLP done for Derry, they have controlled the council since 1973, held the Westminster seat since 1983 and had the MEP living in the city from 1979 til 2004.
J Kelly
to be fair the MEP was a registered voter in the city, not quite the same thing as being a full time resident.
To J Kelly – i am not making any grand claims on behalf of the SDLP in Derry. I am merely posing a question to ‘Twinbrook’ who claims to have seen “first hand SF’s work on job creation”. To date he has not been able to reply.
So I have to assume he cannot / will not reply because he was bullshitting.
“The DUP completely ripped up their manifestos after the elections.” Edward Hanna
At each and every election in recent years the UUP’s cry was that the DUP manifestos were vague and open to interpretation. The UUP claimed that the manifestos were non commital.
Mr Hanna, you now are supporting a party with a MEP/party grandee who stood on the manifesto pledge of “No Guns, No Goverment”
A few simple observations of this thread, from someone who is a self confessed political anorak:
1. who the heng is eddie hanna?
2. why does a political nobody like this guy get such publicity?
3. if you are leaving the DUP beacuae they have broken pledges (really?) then why join the UUP, a party who broke every single pledge they ever made in the last ten years?
4. if Mr hanna is as clued in politically as he obviously thinks he is, then why is he talking about his job of rebuilding the UUP? everyone knows that’ll never happen….
Maybe Mr hanna could enlighten me if he gets a chance.
Regards
The Poddington Pea
I know I have joined this thread abit late but its marvellous to see the SDLP members and supporters on asking what has Sinn Fein done for West Belfast while telling us that they will hold Foyle.
What has the SDLP done for Derry, they have controlled the council since 1973, held the Westminster seat since 1983 and had the MEP living in the city from 1979 til 2004.
——————————–
AND DERRY IS STILL A MICKEY MOUSE EXCUSE FOR A CITY HARDLY SOMETHING TO HOLD UP AS AN GREAT EXAMPLE FOR THE SDLP
T&J;: why would Muir bring baggage to Alliance because he is a champion of gay rights?
Remember that Seamus Close brought baggage when he was out of line with Alliance Party policy on the issue of gay marriage.
Wouldnt his sexual identity (along with Anna LO) help Allinace to demonstrate a working model of what true diversity looks like in NI?
A Bhreandáin, As you seem so obsessed about job creation – can you name any job created by any politician – apart from getting their granny’s second cousin once removed in as Personal secretary? Are you saying PSF in West Belfast didn’t create even ONE job?
A chara Poncho.
You miss the point. I have not claimed that politicians create jobs, whether they do or not is a separate argument. Mind you you come down on both sides of the argument yourself in one neat paragraph.
In his defence / support of SF ‘Twinbrook’ claimed to have seen ‘in person’ job creation efforts by that party in West Belfast.
I merely asked for an example of what he had seen ‘in person’. For the record Poncho, I haven’t had an answer.