Profile for Andrew
Latest posts from Andrew (see all)
Andrew has posted 74 times (0 in the last month).
Another week, another defection
Readers will probably be aware that the DUP have gained another defection from the UUP. Deputy Mayor, Harry Dunlop, has defected saying that the party no longer represented the Unionist values he believed in. Last month Castlereagh Deputy Mayor, David Drysdale, also left the party arguing he has difficulty with UUP policy. Since being elected as the Leader [...] more »
Where next for the Ulster Unionist Party?
To date no one has highlighted the significance of the resignation of David McClarty, Deputy Speaker of the N.I. Assembly and a senior member of the UUP. What impact will he have on the party in East Londonderry? Is he one of many disgruntled members? more »
Northern Ireland and the aftermath of the May poll
There has been much talk about how things will pan out after this upcoming General election with many predicting cuts and tax increases which are likely to be deeply unpopular. Many people out their are thinking: ‘I’m gonna be screwed no matter who I vote for.” How the leading party manages how they make the [...] more »
South Belfast Orange and Black call for agreement
Saw this over on Devenport Diaries. In a nut shell the Leaders of the Orange Order and the Black Preceptory in South Belfast have called on Sir Reg Empey to apply the Fermanagh South Tyrone model to South Belfast. Mark says: “The loyal orders went so far as to say that “we feel so strongly [...] more »
United Unionist Force?
Sunday Times carry a story today about talk surrounding a possible merger between the UUP and DUP in order to fight next year’s Assembly election. Fears forcing this possible merger rest within the Ulster Unionists’ who are worried that they may not return any MP’s and therefore make them irrelevant come the Assembly election in [...] more »
Political Satire
Political satire has long been part and parcel of the world of politics. During the Trimble years the DUP launched a series of cartoons depicting Trimble in various compromising positions. The UUP attempted during the European election to satirise the DUP with ‘Pants on fire’. The DUP have now launched this video: http://www.youtube.com/dupchannel?gl=GB&hl=en-GB with TUV [...] more »
TUV man up in court
As reported in the Newsletter today (not up online yet) the man widely believed to be the TUV candidate in the forthcoming Lurgan byelection is up in court today charged with multiple driving offences including failing to wear a seat belt, no insurance, failing to produce insurance, having no driving licence and failing to produce [...] more »
The guessing game
As we expect a Westminster election next Spring most of the Parties are keeping their selections under their hats. The SDLP in Lagan Valley have yet to choose but the name Brian Heading again is jumping around. Heading is a councillor in Lisburn and has been since 2004 through co-option but was elected in 2005. [...] more »
North Antrim an area of great tension
In the last six weeks or more areas of North Antrim have become serious hot-spots in Northern Ireland. Last night Rasharkin Orange Hall was attacked again with petrol bombs and left with scribbles of ‘CIRA’ and ‘Remember 81′ all over it. Sinn Fein’s Daithí McKay has been a regular contributor on the issue. I have [...] more »
Labour Veteran MacKinlay resigns – the end of the Parliamentary age
I wanted to add a post on here about the resignation of Labour MP Andrew MacKinlay. Tonight he told his constituency party that he intends to step down at the next election. Iain Dale broke the story on his blog. Andrew stood successfully for Parliament in 1992. He was elected to serve Thurrock, just outside [...] more »
Latest comments from Andrew (see all)
Andrew has commented 46 times (0 in the last month).
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Books
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Learning from 1798?: Northern Ireland’s Upcoming Decade of Commemorations
Last year, the Lilliput Press released a new extended edition of Tom Dunne’s Ewart-Biggs Memorial Prize winning book, Rebellions: Memoir, Memory and 1798. First published in 2004, Dunne’s book provoked considerable controversy with its critique of the ‘commemorationist’ history that Dunne believed dominated the 1998 commemorations of the 1798 Rebellion. The book blasted the involvement [...] read our review » -
Books: Listening to Van Morrison…
Great little review of Listening to Van Morrison by Griel Marcus… It’s a short book, not a biography or a career survey, but an attempt to follow those moments in Morrison’s music, as he’s made it from his first records with Them, from Belfast in 1965 to the present day, when something happens that breaks [...] read our review »
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The peace process not such a good model after all
Which reminds me…. Platform for Change’s driving force Robin Wilson has produced a corrective to the notion that the lessons of the NI conflict are easily exportable. Like myself, Robin is associated with the Constitution Unit. He introduced his new book in a CU blog which I here reproduce. The water crisis in Northern Ireland [...] read our review »
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Comment on Where next for the Ulster Unionist Party?
on 5 January 2011 at 1:07 pm
His departure raises questions about the ability of the UUP to function as a party effectively. Perhaps Michael can elaborate (?). That’s ofcourse if he hasn’t joined the Tories?
McClarty is one of many who have left in recent months and I believe that there are more to come.
McClarty will not win in East Londonderry but risks taking a proportion of the UUP vote. I think they retain the seat but on transfers.
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Comment on Strong words
on 18 December 2010 at 10:14 am
Rates will rise in line with inflation meaning that there will not be an actual increase in the Regional Rate.
McCallister was stupid to make that remark. No point defending the indefensible. Has UUP party policy changed now?
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Comment on South Belfast Orange and Black call for agreement
on 12 April 2010 at 2:34 am
Paula Bradshaw has made this statement today in relation to this story:
“Conservatives and Unionists candidate for South Belfast, Paula Bradshaw, has stated that she has always been ready to support an agreed candidate in South Belfast, but such a candidate must be able to demonstrate the same cross-community credentials and record of service to the community as demonstrated by the agreed candidate in Fermanagh/South Tyrone.
Paula Bradshaw: “The Conservatives and Unionists project is about a much more inclusive form of Unionism, not aligned with any particular community background, but rather open to anyone who feels Northern Ireland should have a full role in UK affairs. It is about ending our semi-detached status from the UK mainstream on behalf of everyone in Northern Ireland, so that we can all have full-time MPs giving us a voice on issues such as taxation, defence and welfare provision.
“I have always said that I would stand aside for an agreed candidate if asked to do so by my Party Leader, but this would only apply if such a candidate were able to demonstrate the same cross-community credentials, record of service to the local community and ability to work with all parties as demonstrated by Rodney Connor in Fermanagh and South Tyrone.
“Despite the DUP’s obsession with ‘Unionist Unity’, it has been raised with me only in letters and emails which can clearly be traced back to the DUP itself. On the doorsteps, people want to know what I am going to do about jobs, pensions and education. Those are the real issues of concern to people, and the real issues upon which this election should be fought.
“It was precisely on this basis that I put my own name forward for selection in South Belfast. I stand in this election on my record, working with the community locally, delivering on the issues which matter to them, and promoting good relations at every turn.
“It is because of this, I feel, that I have received widespread support for my campaign not just from both the parties which endorsed me as their candidate, but from many people who are non-aligned politically. It was because I would be able to attract such support that, I believe, I was selected in the first place, and it is clear from the response we have received that we can win the seat no matter what other parties decide to do.”
ENDS”
See her campaign facebook page.
Some people have referred to it.
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Comment on United Unionist Force?
on 11 April 2010 at 11:16 pm
It’s about Northern Ireland and Unionism – nothing wrong with promoting your political ideology just like others do.
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Comment on United Unionist Force?
on 11 April 2010 at 10:49 pm
oneill
There is a need for an open conversation within Unionism to discuss all of these issues whilst not moving away from our aim: retaining the Union and maximising the Unionist vote.
Infighting and the arguments that are being thrown around by elements of Unionism only go to discourage and depress Unionist voters. Unionists want unity, leadership (on behalf of all parties), agreement not fighting, and vision. This can be offered if agreement is sought between the parties here in NI. Unionism must be settled and at peace with itself in moving forward.
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Comment on United Unionist Force?
on 11 April 2010 at 10:32 pm
“I wonder if mr charles could clarify, under this new arrangement he seems to thing will happen will all candidates have to be independents with no previous links to either political party?
Posted by unionistvoter on Apr 11, 2010 @ 03:34 PM”
Please feel free to call me Andrew!
If you’re referring to this coming General election where joint party candidates cannot be agreed then fielding an independent is an option just like in Fermanagh South Tyrone.
Outside of this election – i.e. the future, it could involve joint party candidates or by where an arrangement between the parties including a joint logo or slogan etc is tied to candidates under one banner.
I do not know what has been going on behind the scenes but it could offer a positive way forward for Unionism.
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Comment on United Unionist Force?
on 11 April 2010 at 8:45 pm
Harry J
I don’t think the UUP in SB are opposing unity – I believe it is the Tories.
Chekov
Ball not man – focus on the point and theme of the thread – not the personality.
Your attack simply reflects on you not me.
What do you think of creating a strong vision for Unionism?
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Comment on United Unionist Force?
on 11 April 2010 at 8:31 pm
Lottanonsense
I know and welcome those moves but have a look at the South Belfast News last week where Paula Bradshaw, their candidate in South Belfast denied the fact that any talks took place. I understand that she may not have been party to these talks, but surely she must have known given the fact that Unity has been in the headlines for months now.
I understand that Paula wants to be the candidate – I admire her determination, but we must think about what is best for Unionism. South Belfast doesn’t have the advantage East Belfast, East Londonderry or any other ‘Unionist’ constituency has. It’s diversity of opinions and vibrancy as a constituency has to be admired but we are all Unionists and believe in the same thing – Unionism.
The SB UUP Association have got to be praised for their actions. This represents very positive and mature thinking – I know of many decent and admirable people within the Association. At this late stage I do not know if there will be a last minute agreement but time is obviously of the essence.
I also understand and respect Paula’s ambition and position. However we must do what is right for the Unionist people in promoting our ideology, vision and identity.
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Comment on United Unionist Force?
on 11 April 2010 at 8:21 pm
oneill
Hi. Yes diversity is a strength of Unionism – and closely linked to Protestantism but it is also a difficulty. Furthermore given the fact that we are in the Union people are more likely to question the way forward etc and turn off politics whereas nationalists yes question the way forward but they are united in the fact that they oppose the Union and want a United Ireland. We have a more difficult task in that we are in the Union and want it to stay that way.
The UUP for many years represented that board church of Unionism. I am not so sure that it does anymore as Unionist opinion is now dispersed amongst the UUP, DUP, TUV and the rest that stay at home and take no part in politics. Why? Because they’re pissed off.
There needs to be a vision that brings Unionism forward and what a better time to do this in coming to the one hundredth anniversary of the signing of the Ulster Solemn League and Covenant. This will bring about confidence within the Unionist electorate.
There doesn’t necessarily have to be any formal arrangement between the parties and Unionists but an understanding as to where we’re going and where we want to be would be a first step.
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Comment on United Unionist Force?
on 11 April 2010 at 8:12 pm
There needs to be a conversation within Unionism which is open and transparent as to the way forward.
Individual parties doing deals with parties outside the jurisdiction of Northern Ireland are a waste of time at this moment. We need to sort out the issues we have here within Unionism in NI first.
I understand the UUP’s move towards the Tories – it’s basically what Trimble advocated from day one – ‘normal politics’. But it does not recognise what people in NI need or the views within Unionism.
Many in the UUP, as demonstrated by ‘unionistvoter’, will oppose any move to a new United Unionist Force within Unionism. These views were apparent when the UUP Executive met to discuss the Hatfield talks and likelihood of a closer relationship between the UUP and DUP. This idea was opposed by the Executive many of whom are still annoyed by the DUP and their rise within Unionism. They are also suspicious of getting closer with the DUP and therefore want to put clear blue water between themselves.
However people out there want the Unionist parties to work together rather than constant infighting. A united and strong Unionism is the way forward.
The UUP’s move with the Tories is confusing to the electorate who only want to see Unionism, as a whole, punch above its weight. They ask: why the Tories, why not the DUP?
The UUP and DUP are parties representing the majority of Unionist opinion in NI so surely working together would be a positive move?
Reg has shown that he cannot do this but maybe we should take the lead from the UUP and DUP Fermanagh South Tyrone Associations’ and work together. James Cooper was understandably furious after losing out by 50 odd votes in 2001 to Gildernew. If he can get past this surely we can all do the same? That is a good vision for Unionism.
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