Conservatives and Ulster Unionists - past, present and future

Yesterday David Shiels provided an interesting historical analysis of the UUP’s relationship with the Conservative Party in the Belfast Telegraph.  Tonight, no link as yet, David Cameron ahead of his speech at party conference on Saturday, outlines in the paper his commitment to Northern Ireland as an integral region of the UK.

If, as a party, we form the next Government of the United Kingdom, local Conservative and Unionist MPs will take their rightful places on the Government benches and, potentially, in Government itself.

Michael Shilliday @ 06:15 PM | Comments (12)

Are we seeing further evidence of corrosion in the FF base?

With the outburst from Cllr and 2007 General election Noreen Ryan of FF in Limerick against the mighty local political totem that is Minister for Defence Willie O’Dea, are we seeing the strain of the negative national mood beginning to tell? Many of those commenting are missing the local context in the timing of all this as the FF local selection interviews were talking place in Limerick over the last week or so. It may simply be that the new interview based and HQ driven selection process may not be proceeding as painlessly as had been hoped for. It was noted in the Limerick Leader recently with suitable expressions of disinterest in the process from local FF heavy hitters (in their own minds at least) such as Eddie (I could still get into the Dail) Wade and Jack (only a council seat makes me feel complete) Bourke. I think Wade said something closely along the lines that they could shove their interview process up a certain place and get a proctologist to examine their prostate while retrieving it. 

Dan Sullivan @ 04:26 PM | Comments (3)

Tea Time with Margaret.

Today I talked to the SDLP’s longest and most hard working constituency worker in west Belfast, Margaret Walsh.  Margarets memories stretch all the way back to the first general secretary of the party.  She was an election agent for Gerry Fitt and remembers him campaigning in the constituency on the back of a flat bed lorry.  Margaret was a good friend of the Conlon family and gets a little emotional while talking about their story.  She was instrumental in bringing the Conlon case to the SDLP’s high command.

Like Margarets brand of socialist politics or loathe them, no one could disagree that Margaret is a great worker for her party and her socialist beliefs.  She helped to build and shape the SDLP in her own consituency, and is a tireless worker.  Truly one of the social democratic and labour partys’ un-sung heroes, and she hopes to pop in to slugger through out the day to answer any questions or share any memories anyone may have.  (I’m sorry about the lighting, it’s a grey day outside, and perhaps on days like this it would be better to have had a few table lamps lit, but we’ll know next time.) Next up is Deidre Nelson and friends.

Kathleen @ 01:58 PM | Comments (8)

“designed to increase MLA pay to 75% of the salary of an MP”

BBC political editor Mark Devenport has a report [and a blog post - Ed] on the Senior Salaries Review Body’s recommendations on MLA salaries and expenses and read the somewhat different emphasis in David Gordon’s report too. [new link] Or you can read the actual report [pdf file].  From the Belfast Telegraph

Assembly members currently receive £43,381 a year — some 70% of an MP’s salary.  The SSRB concluded that this should be gradually raised to 75% of the Commons level over a four year period. The proposed package would involve annual £500 additions for the first three years, and an estimated £1,500 in the final year. During this period, they would also receive the same percentage annual increases as MPs. The proposals would mean a 3.53% pay rise this year — the first £500 payment plus the latest MP rise of 2.38%. The overall package, if approved, would involve a much more significant increase over the full four years. Phased payments totalling £3,000 would put 6.9% on the current MLA salary. And if MPs receive 2% annual rises during this time, the estimated total package could be worth in the region of 15%.

Pete Baker @ 01:48 PM | Comments (4)

The press release as spam?

Cathal Boylan MLA (SF) has a public service press release advising people of a postal and telephone scam currently in operation.

‘Basically, people are receiving post cards through their letter box from a company called PDS, (Parcel Delivery Service), stating they were unable to deliver a parcel.

They are informed they need to contact a number, 0906 6611 911, to arrange delivery or collection.

This is a premium rate number, if you call it and start to hear a recorded message, you will already have been billed £15.00.’

Which is a tad strange considering this scam was shut down in 2005.

I can’t understand why anyone would go to the trouble of distributing the cards for a scam that can’t work. Did they? Or has Cathal just put the contents of a spam email out as a press release?

Mark McGregor @ 01:37 PM | Comments (0)

Results to suit every position

According to Policing Board research confidence in the PSNI has never been higher. 

“Eighty six per cent of respondents have some, a lot or total confidence in the PSNI’s ability to provide a day-to-day policing service for everyone in Northern Ireland,”

According to the ICR, confidence in the policing in working class loyalist communities is at an all-time low and there is a risk of crisis of expectation in nationalist communities.

“Political events along with the policing of parades have compounded the sense of community alienation with the PSNI which for many has been ignored at a political level with the continued focus on republican communities.”
“There is a currently is a ‘honeymoon’ period involving the PSNI and the republican community. However, it was apparent that at some stage, if the community’s expectations are not being met and concerns continue around the service delivery of policing, then the honeymoon period could end.”

Fair Deal @ 10:25 AM | Comments (6)

“His duty was to contact the Attorney General immediately..”

Over at CommentisFree Geoffrey Robertson QC gives his legal opinion on the House of Commons Speaker’s statement today. From the Guardian post.

The Speaker admits that he was told the night before of the impending arrest of an MP. His duty was to contact the Attorney General immediately and to take legal advice from the Clerk of the House, and in the meantime to instruct his Serjeant at Arms to refer all police inquiries to himself. Today he used parliamentary privilege to defame the police, who may have a very different version of events (they usually do). The real criticism of the police is that they barged in without taking the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions, who would have been aware, amongst other authorities, of the decision in 1986 of the High Court. It refused police demands to stop the screening in parliamentary precincts of Duncan Campbell’s ”Zircon” (pdf) film, allegedly containing official secrets, on the basis that this was a matter for parliament and specifically for the speaker.

Pete Baker @ 10:10 PM | Comments (11)

And now for something completely different - Irish, British or Northern Irish?

The Newsletter reported yesterday that almost a quarter of Catholics consider themselves Northern Irish (http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/YOUR-VIEWS-Would-you-describe.4751380.jp). This throws up an interesting question as to how NI is changing (and for the better). I have no doubt that it is and the rapidity of that change is more acute when the Executive meets than when it doesn’t. The GFA’s brilliance was it reconciled the right to be Irish, British and Northern Irish within an agreed constitutional settlement for at least a generation. Its greatest defect was that it allowed one to be British, Irish or Northern Irish (or a mixture of the same) and argue for each position - a united Ireland, the Union, the good of NI - for at least a generation. Perhaps the future should not be seen in absolutes or for all time. Perhaps, in our situation, a generation is as good as it gets. And our generation will have to renegotiate something different!

Anne Monaghan @ 10:09 PM | Comments (66)

“It’s a very high-risk gamble..”

Here’s one to watch out for.  BBC Europe editor Mark Mardell has a prediction.

My prediction is that next week the Irish government will announce that it will ask the Irish people to vote again on the Lisbon Treaty in a new referendum next autumn.

Pete Baker @ 09:04 PM | Comments (17)

“Government sources had suggested it was unlikely to be extended.”

The only reason I can see for any surprise at the BBC headline - “Decommissioning deadline extended” - is the referenced briefings earlier this year by “Government sources”.  Mark Devenport implies similar briefings too - and the Northern Ireland Secretary of State’s statement is here. Clearly I didn’t get the memo when, in July this year, I identified the date for the termination of that service as Feb 2010.. Meanwhile police have linked unidentified loyalist paramilitaries to four blast bombs in south Belfast..

Pete Baker @ 08:31 PM | Comments (3)

P&J according to the PM

In the light of Fair Deal’s analysis, I’m not sure what this means about timing, from Gordon Brown in the Queens’ Speech debate..
I can also say that, following the historic agreement between the parties in Northern Ireland, we will bring forward proposals to sustain devolution in Northern Ireland. I thank all parties in Northern Ireland for coming together to make the final part of a devolution settlement possible and now something that can be delivered, with policing and justice devolved in the next few months.

Brian Walker @ 08:27 PM | Comments (21)

Allister attacks increased North-South spending

The News Letter is reporting that Traditional Unionist Voice MEP, Jim Allister is rather irate after discovering that North-South funding expenditure is rising – from £119 million in 2007 to £130 million in the period 2008-10.  He forgot to mention the 30% increase for the Ulster-Scots Agency.

Kilsally @ 08:21 PM | Comments (21)

Grand Lodges launch youth based gospel site

The combined Grand Orange Lodges of Scotland, Ireland and England have launched a new project aimed at bringing the gospel to todays youth.  A quick look reveals a very modern & interactive site filled full of Christian video and learning materials as well as messages from the various Grand Masters.  The new website can be viewed here

Kilsally @ 08:14 PM | Comments (11)

Tories back down from confonting the Speaker…

In the UK there is an unwritten Constitution. In Ireland the Republic there is a written one. The supposed advantage of the British model is that it is flexible and intelligent. The problem is that some of it needs to be unheld by individuals. Last week the Metropolitan Police found a weak point and arrested an MP on a point of Common Law, with the acquiesence of the Commons’ authorities.  The Opposition Tory party which has been animated on that Constitutional issue ever since suddenly went all soft and gooey at what should have been the moment of reckoning for the Speaker and the Serjeant at Arms. Paul thinks he knows why!

Mick Fealty @ 07:04 PM | Comments (5)

Slugger’s Daily Blogburst…

Hmmm… I had this almost finished when I accidently exited the page… which was nice… so this is an abbreviated links version of the usual… Kicking off, Fergal on a pro-Ganley riff: just because you are paranoid, don’t mean they are not out to get you…

Mick Fealty @ 07:00 PM | Comments (3)

Pass the parcel

Assuming Hugh Orde and the present acting commissioner of the Met Paul Stephenson are both interviewed for the top job, here’s a question or two for them.

“Sir Hugh, what lessons did you learn from the Stormont raid on Sinn Fein offices in 2002 when the armed and accoutred PSNI took away discs and interviewed their office manager, later murdered after confessing to being an MI5 agent?”

Leaving aside the drama of the military style invasion and the somewhat different results for Denis Donaldson and Damian Green, was there any essential difference in the two approaches ?

Sir Paul, as Sir Hugh did, do you now feel inclined to fire the officer in charge?

The Speaker’s bombshell statement only deepens the murk.... 

Brian Walker @ 06:37 PM | Comments (2)

“I was not told that the police did not have a warrant..”

In his statement to the House of Commons on the search of Conservative MP Damian Green’s parliamentary offices, Speaker Michael Martin revealed that police had neither produced a search warrant nor was one demanded of them by parliamentary officials - which may impact on other considerations. Subsequent points of order below the fold.  Adds The Times’ Political Editor, Philip Webster, identifies three losers after the Speaker’s statement - “Jill Pay, the Serjeant-at-Arms, the police, and Michael Martin himself.”

Pete Baker @ 04:32 PM | Comments (9)

Cameron Direct in Belfast on Saturday…

The Tory Party is inviting residents from Belfast and the rest of Northern Ireland to quiz him on Saturday 6th December 2008. The event will take place in a Belfast location starting at 9.45am. Places at the event are free and open to all local residents, but must be obtained in advance. Our own Slugger mobile video team will be there to capture the quizzing of David Cameron by ordinary punters. I’ve seen him in action before, and he seems to thrive on the cut and thrust with political opponents. So you don’t have to be a Tory to go. More details before the fold…

Mick Fealty @ 01:06 PM | Comments (21)

“Used to be Boomtown, now it’s just a ruined town…”

Great satire for Bertie, Fianna Fail etc… play it in high quality… very good… Thanks to Red Mum for the heads up…

Mick Fealty @ 11:54 AM | Comments (5)

“people have to make sacrifices for the greater good..”

RTÉ reports on Republic of Ireland Minister of Finance Brian Lenihan’s comments on Morning Ireland [RealPlayer file]

Speaking on RTÉ Morning Ireland following yesterday’s Exchequer figures which showed a tax shortfall this year of €8bn, he said that a reduction in our living standards is required [in Ireland].  However, Minister Lenihan said he does not believe that there will be a mini-Budget in the spring and that there is ‘little scope’ for tax increases next year.  He said there will be further cuts in Government spending once a full picture of tax intake is available at the end of the year.

Pete Baker @ 11:42 AM | Comments (5)

The new ‘decommissioning’?

Over on Our Kingdom I argue that the devolution of policing and justice in the St Andrew’s Agreement has become the equivalent of decommissioning in the Belfast Agreement with the roles of Unionism and Republicanism reversed and that the recent deal faces two tests in 2009; the reaction of republicans if it does not happen as quickly as they predict e.g. Easter 09 and the electoral test of the European election in June 2009.

Fair Deal @ 10:36 AM | Comments (14)

“If he had read her book, he would know that he already has it.”

Malachi O’Doherty has an interesting analysis of the Maria Gartland/McGuire affair.

Michael Shilliday @ 10:15 AM | Comments (20)

Mixed message on apathy?

Apathy by one measure - on the other hand…

there has been an unprecedented, 3000% increase, in the number of 17 year olds registering… according to the Chief Electoral Office. “The numbers have risen from 244 last year to 7,738. 

Brian Walker @ 09:46 AM | Comments (2)

NI likely to follow cautious Scottish approach to the future

The interim report by Sir Kenneth Calman’s commission on the future of Scottish Home Rule slaps down right away the idea of full financial autonomy – i.e. a new ability of Scotland Wales and NI to raise and spend their own taxes. The analysis undermines any faint notion that the devolved bodies -like ours – can present themselves as the rulers of a virtually sovereign state. Economic and much social policy will continue to be shaped at Westminster though almost certainly with more formal links with the devolved institutions.  Although the Calman report is the pro-Union version of the future and the final report will present more detailed options next year, not everyone on that side of the argument is happy with its cautious approach to local taxation. And predictably the SNP First Minister dismissed Calman as “ a constitutional mouse”. The NI Executive harbour no great ambitions for new local taxation, to put it mildly. They face the prospect of swingeing cuts from 2011. In the meantime, they know all too well on which side their bread is buttered, as you can see in the table in the Calman document of public spending per head per region. 

Brian Walker @ 09:29 AM | Comments (4)

Apathy: greater threat to Nationalism than Unionism…

Although it is sadly missing from our archives (due to a nasty accident on the server of a previous UK-based host) our first on-the-ground foray was the November Assembly Election in 2003. It was an awesome experience. Not least because of the way activists and voters turned out in such huge numbers. But it seems apathy is a growing factor here as elsewhere in the UK. American Student Patrick Lane says it’s an element that Unionist politicians (whose base has always suffered much more from apathy than nationalism) should forge a strategy to use it to their advantage…

Mick Fealty @ 07:12 AM | Comments (66)