The Slugger Awards 2008: Best MLA
As August comes to a close, we announce the last couple of Slugger Awards categories. The late David Ervine MLA might have been an obvious and popular candidate for this award – because of his ability to transcend the normal babble of day-to-day politics, to cross from the boundaries of his Loyalism (he often polled as the most trusted unionist, by nationalists) and to communicate articulately (some commented that he often spoke too articulately, and teased about his having ‘swallowed a dictionary’. I know more than one colleague who signed up to http://dictionary.reference.com/ for their learned ‘word of the day’ in Davy’s honour!) So, you have 108 to choose from – leaders, ministers, speakers, humble backbenchers, they come in all shapes and sizes, colours and flavours. Who has caught your eye? Now remember you already have been taking advantage of your opportunity to nominate for Stormont Committee Chair of the Year and theoretically there might be other overlaps – Councillor, Participation, Blogger awards spring to mind…
How do we measure the performance of our politicians with any objectivity – that’s the question. Already judges have been taken by those of you big enough to make nominations form your own party of choice and then from another. Mark McGregor’s admirable praise of Jim Allister’s political skills (albeit not his political position) stands as a worthy credit; others have joined in. Let’s have more of that.
Eight parties (Alliance, DUP, Green Party, Independent Health Coalition, PUP, SDLP, SF and UUP, not to forget Independent MLA, Gerry McHugh) are ploughing their furrows with varying degrees of diligence. Attendance matters, but more important to the voter, probably, is delivery… who has changed something, promoted a new idea, challenged an orthodoxy or inspired with their oratory?
If we are to imagine a Belfast or rural omnibus, about whom would the passengers be talking? Who would inspire a transfer at the next Assembly elections across that strong invisible community barrier?
You have all been behaving rather well in recent days on the positivity register – indeed I have had feedback from some ‘lurkers’ about standards on this Slugger Awards site rising, to their obvious pleasure – so don’t hold back from your creative and imaginative ways of giving credit where credit is due, and by implication, less to certain others.
And remember the last Award of all will allow you to elevate some more trenchant and critical analysis of our public and elected servants, so hold your collective breaths a little more yet!
I would like nominate Tom Elliot for MLA of the year for his committed work within his local constituency and for helping those within the rural community who often find themselves excluded from the political process. Tom has done an excellent job at bringing power back to its grass roots and for defending the interests of all members of his constituency.
I would also like to put Michelle Gildernew’s name forward for the award. I believe she has earned her nomination due to the level of commitment she has displayed throughout the years for the farming community within NI and for her successful management of the problems which have rocked agriculture within recent years.
I find myself terribly conflicted when it comes to this catergory so in order to make my way out of a stalemate I have decided to nominate both Danny Kennedy and Barry MacElduff. Both do outstanding jobs at chairing their committees set the bar incredibly high for others who occupy other top table seats. I would highly recommend other (dare I say lesser) chairpersons to pop down to either the OFMdFM or DCAL committees and take a lesson from the masters.
For the sheer entertainment value of last weeks plenary session Alban Maginness should at least be considered for MLA of the year – he had the political sparks flying!Give the French hell in Euro land when you get there.
I’d like to nominate Naomi Long of the alliance party for being interested and invested in the young people of NI. Also, her desire to see the terminology of a “Shared Future” is particularly admirable.
John O’Dowd, doesn’t take any crap from anybody and always a strong articulate performer.
My vote is for Margaret Richie for her determination to do the job right and not let hatred and bigotry get in the way like so many of the others are doing. She is getting on with the job and not letting her ideals and morals be compromised for the sake of keeping the extremists sweet. Showing that she can co-operate on issues and being ready to take tough decisions and bringing women to the fore as a force to be reckoned with in NI politics. Go Margaret!
….Billy Armstrongs doesn’t know his ass from his elbow. having watched him attempting to speak during a debate on stormont live on Monday, I felt sorry for the rest of his party who seemed to look embarrassed each time he spoke.
Posted by Mack on Sep 19, 2008 @ 12:44 AM…
If you judge a political representative solely on their public speaking then you should stick to watching the West Wing. The likes of Armstrong work tirelessly within their constituency and given his working class rather than academic background I feel a lack of ability on public speaking can be excused. God knows I’d rather have a politician of his elk in the UUP than someone who talks the talk but can’t walk the walk like Basil McCrea.
“God knows I’d rather have a politician of his elk in the UUP than someone who talks the talk but can’t walk the walk like Basil McCrea”
His elk?! What have a species of deer got to do with it?! Did Billy post this himself?!!
Billy is a complete idiot he may be running around but not working for to many of his constituents. I went to him recently with a problem and he informed me that he was unable to help. I then went to Ian McCrea who straight away contacted the necesary person who sorted out my problem but informed Mr McCrea that he was the first to contact them about it. I think Billy’s a complete asshole.
It’s not about “sorting problems out”, it’s about LEGISLATION.
Therefore, my candidate is precisely no one.
Though Naomi Long’s good.
My three nominations for MLA are;
Dawn Purvis, Best Newcomer on the political scene who continues to deliver and add to the sensible messages we have heard from David Ervine.
Margaret Ritchie, Thoroughly Professional in seeking to bring about much needed social development in the face of political stalement.
Basil McCrea, Refreshing Approach with a sense of humour, ability to think outside the traditional mode, is articulate, all essential qualities if we are to move forward.