Comments on: David Burnside to step down from Assembly… http://sluggerotoole.com/2009/02/23/david-burnside-to-step-down-from-assembly/ Conversation, politics and stray insights Sun, 27 May 2012 03:59:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Thomaas W. Higg http://sluggerotoole.com/2009/02/23/david-burnside-to-step-down-from-assembly/comment-page-1/#comment-298531 Thomaas W. Higg Thu, 26 Feb 2009 02:07:55 +0000 #comment-298531 I really do hope that Cosgrove gets the nomination! He is the future for unionism in Northern Ireland. I think Kinahan is too hard line and would imperil our excellent working relationship with SF/IRA. But on the plus side: One is a millionaire. The other lives in a castle. If the electorate are wise enough to recognise their social superiors I am sure the UUP stand a wonderful chance at regaining the South Antrim Westminster seat! I really do hope that Cosgrove gets the nomination! He is the future for unionism in Northern Ireland. I think Kinahan is too hard line and would imperil our excellent working relationship with SF/IRA. But on the plus side:

One is a millionaire. The other lives in a castle. If the electorate are wise enough to recognise their social superiors I am sure the UUP stand a wonderful chance at regaining the South Antrim Westminster seat!

]]> By: Old Skool Integrationist http://sluggerotoole.com/2009/02/23/david-burnside-to-step-down-from-assembly/comment-page-1/#comment-298176 Old Skool Integrationist Tue, 24 Feb 2009 21:57:04 +0000 #comment-298176 David's a loss: out of the other deadbeats, crooks, souped-up benefit claimants & sectarian killers who comprise Stormont, who exactly could hack it in the private sector, let alone be an out and out success? In fact, who else has? David's, well, he's a tw*t: he's not a nice man, and even when you agree with him on 95% of the issues (as I do), he's virtually impossible to get on with - being unreliable, paranoid and easily panicked. But, and it's a <i>colossal</i> but - he's not sectarian, he's never murdered anyone, he's never justified murdering anyone, he's not a drug dealer nor is he a smuggler, racketeer or bank robber. As different a man to James Leslie as you could hope to meet in terms of character, but both are a huge loss to politics in Northern Ireland. I personally regret most that there is now - with the equivocal exceptions of maybe Danny Kennedy and Wee Jeffrey - no one in the Assembly who actually speaks up for the largest, entirely unrepresented strand of Unionist opinion: straightforward, anti-devolutionary pro-integrationist sentiment. David’s a loss: out of the other deadbeats, crooks, souped-up benefit claimants & sectarian killers who comprise Stormont, who exactly could hack it in the private sector, let alone be an out and out success? In fact, who else has?

David’s, well, he’s a tw*t: he’s not a nice man, and even when you agree with him on 95% of the issues (as I do), he’s virtually impossible to get on with – being unreliable, paranoid and easily panicked. But, and it’s a colossal but – he’s not sectarian, he’s never murdered anyone, he’s never justified murdering anyone, he’s not a drug dealer nor is he a smuggler, racketeer or bank robber. As different a man to James Leslie as you could hope to meet in terms of character, but both are a huge loss to politics in Northern Ireland.

I personally regret most that there is now – with the equivocal exceptions of maybe Danny Kennedy and Wee Jeffrey – no one in the Assembly who actually speaks up for the largest, entirely unrepresented strand of Unionist opinion: straightforward, anti-devolutionary pro-integrationist sentiment.

]]> By: Rasputin http://sluggerotoole.com/2009/02/23/david-burnside-to-step-down-from-assembly/comment-page-1/#comment-298153 Rasputin Tue, 24 Feb 2009 20:10:54 +0000 #comment-298153 at lot easier than being on the board of directors of numbers of companys and trying to be a tory frontbencher Posted by ?? on Feb 24, 2009 @ 01:27 PM You've tried it then? at lot easier than being on the board of directors of numbers of companys and trying to be a tory frontbencher
Posted by ?? on Feb 24, 2009 @ 01:27 PM

You’ve tried it then?

]]> By: ?? http://sluggerotoole.com/2009/02/23/david-burnside-to-step-down-from-assembly/comment-page-1/#comment-298123 ?? Tue, 24 Feb 2009 18:27:04 +0000 #comment-298123 # Exactly. How can he possibly be full time in Stormont AND Westminster unless he has some unknown ability to be in two places at once? DOH. Posted by SW on Feb 24, 2009 @ 08:24 AM at lot easier than being on the board of directors of numbers of companys and trying to be a tory frontbencher #

Exactly. How can he possibly be full time in Stormont AND Westminster unless he has some unknown ability to be in two places at once? DOH.
Posted by SW on Feb 24, 2009 @ 08:24 AM

at lot easier than being on the board of directors of numbers of companys and trying to be a tory frontbencher

]]> By: Cushy Glenn http://sluggerotoole.com/2009/02/23/david-burnside-to-step-down-from-assembly/comment-page-1/#comment-298117 Cushy Glenn Tue, 24 Feb 2009 18:11:12 +0000 #comment-298117 "Exactly. How can he possibly be full time in Stormont AND Westminster unless he has some unknown ability to be in two places at once? DOH." tsk tsk such cynicism abour oor Wullie it's obvious the cunning wee blighter has cloned himself, having run out of family members to put on the payroll or stand under the name in Mid Ulster.... I was half expecting to see Tiddles and Rover McCrea on the ballot for the next council elections “Exactly. How can he possibly be full time in Stormont AND Westminster unless he has some unknown ability to be in two places at once? DOH.”

tsk tsk
such cynicism abour oor Wullie
it’s obvious the cunning wee blighter has cloned himself, having run out of family members to put on the payroll or stand under the name in Mid Ulster…. I was half expecting to see Tiddles and Rover McCrea on the ballot for the next council elections

]]> By: delta omega http://sluggerotoole.com/2009/02/23/david-burnside-to-step-down-from-assembly/comment-page-1/#comment-298052 delta omega Tue, 24 Feb 2009 13:32:53 +0000 #comment-298052 Willie McCrea - full time rep in Stormont and Westminster... Aye - apart from the time he spends as a full time minister, full time gospel singer, meeting with loyalist terrorists or lying to his electorate. Apart from that he's a full time politician. Willie McCrea – full time rep in Stormont and Westminster…

Aye – apart from the time he spends as a full time minister, full time gospel singer, meeting with loyalist terrorists or lying to his electorate. Apart from that he’s a full time politician.

]]> By: SW http://sluggerotoole.com/2009/02/23/david-burnside-to-step-down-from-assembly/comment-page-1/#comment-298051 SW Tue, 24 Feb 2009 13:24:53 +0000 #comment-298051 Exactly. How can he possibly be full time in Stormont AND Westminster unless he has some unknown ability to be in two places at once? DOH. Exactly. How can he possibly be full time in Stormont AND Westminster unless he has some unknown ability to be in two places at once? DOH.

]]> By: Think b4 u speak http://sluggerotoole.com/2009/02/23/david-burnside-to-step-down-from-assembly/comment-page-1/#comment-298038 Think b4 u speak Tue, 24 Feb 2009 06:33:02 +0000 #comment-298038 " He is an MP & MLA who is full time rep in Stormont and Westminster" That statement is just SO wrong ” He is an MP & MLA who is full time rep in Stormont and Westminster”

That statement is just SO wrong

]]> By: Mack http://sluggerotoole.com/2009/02/23/david-burnside-to-step-down-from-assembly/comment-page-1/#comment-298034 Mack Tue, 24 Feb 2009 06:14:20 +0000 #comment-298034 Willy McCrea is a great representative in South Antrim. He is an MP & MLA who is full time rep in Stormont and Westminster raising issues that are important to his constituency and it won't matter who the UUP put up, they don't have a chance. Willy McCrea is a great representative in South Antrim. He is an MP & MLA who is full time rep in Stormont and Westminster raising issues that are important to his constituency and it won’t matter who the UUP put up, they don’t have a chance.

]]> By: The Hawk http://sluggerotoole.com/2009/02/23/david-burnside-to-step-down-from-assembly/comment-page-1/#comment-298032 The Hawk Tue, 24 Feb 2009 06:01:32 +0000 #comment-298032 Most Tory MPs (eg Wee Willy Hague - a dozen lucrative directorships) use their positions to make more, not less, money. But no need to worry about winning S.Antrim. It ain't gonna happen. Most Tory MPs (eg Wee Willy Hague – a dozen lucrative directorships) use their positions to make more, not less, money.

But no need to worry about winning S.Antrim. It ain’t gonna happen.

]]> By: frustrated democrat http://sluggerotoole.com/2009/02/23/david-burnside-to-step-down-from-assembly/comment-page-1/#comment-298013 frustrated democrat Tue, 24 Feb 2009 04:46:30 +0000 #comment-298013 never mind an assembly member's in the case of Cosgrave never mind an assembly member’s in the case of Cosgrave

]]> By: frustrated democrat http://sluggerotoole.com/2009/02/23/david-burnside-to-step-down-from-assembly/comment-page-1/#comment-298009 frustrated democrat Tue, 24 Feb 2009 04:45:16 +0000 #comment-298009 I suspect Burnside and Cosgrove have better things to do in their businesses, and not reduce their living standards to an MP's income. I suspect Burnside and Cosgrove have better things to do in their businesses, and not reduce their living standards to an MP’s income.

]]> By: The Hawk http://sluggerotoole.com/2009/02/23/david-burnside-to-step-down-from-assembly/comment-page-1/#comment-298004 The Hawk Tue, 24 Feb 2009 04:28:01 +0000 #comment-298004 The new Tory/UUP candidate will be a Mark Cosgrove. http://www.uup.org/elected-representatives/councils/cllr-mark-cosgrove_140281191815659669.php "Constituency...none" Seems a good prediction. The new Tory/UUP candidate will be a Mark Cosgrove.

http://www.uup.org/elected-representatives/councils/cllr-mark-cosgrove_140281191815659669.php

“Constituency…none”
Seems a good prediction.

]]> By: James http://sluggerotoole.com/2009/02/23/david-burnside-to-step-down-from-assembly/comment-page-1/#comment-298002 James Tue, 24 Feb 2009 04:24:15 +0000 #comment-298002 Surely the point is that there isn't going to be a by-election, because of the Assembly substitutes system. Candidates submit a list of names and if they resign (or die) the first on the list gets offered the job, and if not them the second. That's what happened when Michael Ferguson died just before the last election (though none of his subs wanted the job). But there's a new rule just in that lets the party leader name the replacement. Does it apply yet? Danny Kinahan was reported as getting the second place at the UUP selection for South Antrim, so should presumably get first choice. But maybe they expected to win two seats, so Burnside's sub might be Steven Nicholl, the third candidate. Adrian Watson was a candidate in 2003, but didn't get selected in 2007. However, he is an Antrim Councillor and generally seen round the town as Burnside's right hand man. Burnside isn't seen much. So it's probably either Kinahan or Nicholl, or else Sir Reg gets to choose. Rumour was that Burnside was going to stand down to prepare for a Westminster challenge without any Assembly responsibilities. Unlikely to persuade many people, and last time he was behind McCrea DUP, McLaughin SF and Ford Alliance. UUP lost their second seat to SF. Surely the point is that there isn’t going to be a by-election, because of the Assembly substitutes system. Candidates submit a list of names and if they resign (or die) the first on the list gets offered the job, and if not them the second. That’s what happened when Michael Ferguson died just before the last election (though none of his subs wanted the job). But there’s a new rule just in that lets the party leader name the replacement. Does it apply yet?

Danny Kinahan was reported as getting the second place at the UUP selection for South Antrim, so should presumably get first choice. But maybe they expected to win two seats, so Burnside’s sub might be Steven Nicholl, the third candidate. Adrian Watson was a candidate in 2003, but didn’t get selected in 2007. However, he is an Antrim Councillor and generally seen round the town as Burnside’s right hand man. Burnside isn’t seen much.

So it’s probably either Kinahan or Nicholl, or else Sir Reg gets to choose. Rumour was that Burnside was going to stand down to prepare for a Westminster challenge without any Assembly responsibilities. Unlikely to persuade many people, and last time he was behind McCrea DUP, McLaughin SF and Ford Alliance. UUP lost their second seat to SF.

]]> By: arriba http://sluggerotoole.com/2009/02/23/david-burnside-to-step-down-from-assembly/comment-page-1/#comment-297956 arriba Tue, 24 Feb 2009 01:27:40 +0000 #comment-297956 Who is Adrian Cochrane Watson? Who is Adrian Cochrane Watson?

]]> By: Essentialist http://sluggerotoole.com/2009/02/23/david-burnside-to-step-down-from-assembly/comment-page-1/#comment-297953 Essentialist Tue, 24 Feb 2009 01:07:17 +0000 #comment-297953 So that's the end of super Prod Adrian Cochrane Watson's political career in the slipstream then. Danny deBurgh Kinahan ironically would make an excellent alternative MP to absentee landlord Willie McCrea. Good test of UUP?Conservative marriage. The DUP are going to feel the backlash in South Antrim full force. So that’s the end of super Prod Adrian Cochrane Watson’s political career in the slipstream then.

Danny deBurgh Kinahan ironically would make an excellent alternative MP to absentee landlord Willie McCrea. Good test of UUP?Conservative marriage.

The DUP are going to feel the backlash in South Antrim full force.

]]> By: fair_deal http://sluggerotoole.com/2009/02/23/david-burnside-to-step-down-from-assembly/comment-page-1/#comment-297941 fair_deal Tue, 24 Feb 2009 00:13:02 +0000 #comment-297941 ?? "awwwwww...but it winds the wannabe tories up." I realise you gain some enjoyment from this but just making sure you understand were the fun ends. ??

“awwwwww…but it winds the wannabe tories up.”

I realise you gain some enjoyment from this but just making sure you understand were the fun ends.

]]> By: Ignited http://sluggerotoole.com/2009/02/23/david-burnside-to-step-down-from-assembly/comment-page-1/#comment-297935 Ignited Tue, 24 Feb 2009 00:02:34 +0000 #comment-297935 ABC, Let's just say it will be interesting to see the replacement process being used. ABC,

Let’s just say it will be interesting to see the replacement process being used.

]]> By: ?? http://sluggerotoole.com/2009/02/23/david-burnside-to-step-down-from-assembly/comment-page-1/#comment-297933 ?? Tue, 24 Feb 2009 00:01:00 +0000 #comment-297933 Take nothing for granted Posted by fair_deal on Feb 23, 2009 @ 05:12 PM awwwwww...but it winds the wannabe tories up. Did Burnside or was he pushed? is he part of the price the UUP are paying for the Tory Takeover? Take nothing for granted
Posted by fair_deal on Feb 23, 2009 @ 05:12 PM

awwwwww…but it winds the wannabe tories up.

Did Burnside or was he pushed? is he part of the price the UUP are paying for the Tory Takeover?

]]> By: slug http://sluggerotoole.com/2009/02/23/david-burnside-to-step-down-from-assembly/comment-page-1/#comment-297931 slug Mon, 23 Feb 2009 23:58:19 +0000 #comment-297931 ABC. Don't you mean D or E, judging by your comments? ABC. Don’t you mean D or E, judging by your comments?

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