Post Archives for Andrew
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 »
Beacon for hope?
“What most struck me, as a nationalist from west Belfast, was that I was not in the slightest bit apprehensive.” Allison Morris, a journalist with the Irish News spend the 11th night touring bonfires in the loyalist heartlands of north Belfast. Her colour piece is here but I have copied and pasted the article below [...] more »
Allister bares all on Nolan
Didn’t hear it myself yet but apparently Jim Allister bared it all on yesterday’s Nolan Show. He admitted to working on some legal cases whilst an MEP, employing his wife, son and daughter, renting his office from his family and being able to claim for food costs (which he said he couldn’t claim for, unlike [...] more »
Speaker Michael Martin a scapegoat?
News that Speaker of the House of Commons, Michael Martin (BBC) is set to step down as Speaker ‘soon’ raises tales of him being used as a scapegoat. Surely its not just his responsibility? UPDATE: He resigns stepping down on June 21st as speaker. He is to step down as an MP also – this [...] more »
Nicholson to publish expenses in next European Parliament
Over on the Newsletter Live Chat today Jim Nicholson is being grilled by the NI public. The issue of expenses has come up and he stated that he would publish his expenses in the next European Parliament. “No doubt the questions of expenses come from what is happening at Westminster. The European system is far [...] more »
UDA backing Conservatives Jim Nicholson?
Carried as their lead story, the Sunday World the report that UDA Boss, John Bunting, has been helping out in the Ulster Conservatives and Unionist Euro election campaign. The North Belfast Brigadier was reported to have been seen putting up posters of Jim Nicholson. Nicholson refused to comment directly, referring the papers editor Jim McDowell [...] more »
Ulster comedian Carson to swap show microphone for political platform?
BBC reporting that Ulster comedian Frank Carson has joined UKIP stating: “I’m fed up with all the other political parties and think it’s time for a change, and so do many others.” Perhaps hes a man chasing after political ambition in the wake of the expenses scandal? more »
Record number apply to PSNI
BBC reporting a slightly old story that the PSNI has had a record number of applicants despite the murder of Policeman Stephen Carroll in Craigavon. Almost 10,000 people applied, 37% of them Catholics, are competing for just 440 jobs. more »
Now lets see the colour of the MEP’s money
Now that the MP’s expenses are all coming out in the open, how about seeing some transparency with regards to Europe? MEP’s receive a generous salary and expense allowance also. Google ‘meps expenses’ and you will find several links to articles written about MEP’s expense claims. From what I can make out an MEP earns [...] more »
Lets talk about money
Talk about expenses and public funds. The NIO is looking for four Equality Commissioners for Northern Ireland. NI swimming in quango land with appointees to this that and the other department and/or agency. more »
Its democracy and a route to normalisation … surely?
Over on O’Conall Street, Conall argues that the DUP proposals are a return to ‘majority rule’. Obviously I disagree … its simply a return to democratic, accountable and efficient Government which is surely something we’re all working towards? Common sense surely particularly when we face budget savings? more »
Advertise
-
Books
-
Ulsters Last Stand?: Can Unionism Move Beyond Insurance Policy Politics?
How has Ulster unionism arrived at where it is today – fractured and uncertain, yet dominated electorally by the DUP, a party that tells us it offers unionists sure footing in uncertain times? In his latest book, Ulster’s Last Stand? Reconstructing Unionism after the Peace Process (Irish Academic Press, 2010), Prof. James McAuley from the [...] read our review »
-
Talking to a brick wall: how to make politicians listen?
It took me a long time to warm to advertising agencies. The first time I worked with one I was working in sales management on Fairy Washing Up Liquid. I was due to attend a meeting at which I was to be told what consumers really thought of the brand. I remember my reluctance to [...] read our review »
-
Round up of Tuesday’s Political Studies Association conference
If you want to get a flavour of the proceedings at the Political Studies Association conference on its opening day, then the Storify collation below will bring you some of the images, tweets and sounds of the day. Particular highlights included: the Opening Plenary with David Blunkett, Peter Riddell and Matthew Flinders; and the late [...] read our review »
-
