Beyond Green and Orange: Northern Ireland’s New Political Reality
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A new survey reveals that 55 per cent of Northern Irish voters would refuse to back any party that collapses Stormont — and that support for institutional reform now cuts across the unionist-nationalist divide. But as public opinion shifts, are the politicians listening?
Sudanese man arrested over attempted murder of man in North Belfast last night…
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Last night’s attack in North Belfast was pretty gruesome, even for a society like ours hardened by the troubles. The PSNI issued this statement: Man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following a serious assault in north Belfast A man …
Will Westminster’s Fiscal Squeeze Force Northern Ireland to Reform?
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Britain is now staring at a national debt burden approaching £3 trillion, according to recent reports, raising serious questions about the sustainability of public spending across the United Kingdom. At a time when Westminster faces growing speculation about fiscal instability …
From the Other Side of the Canal – Sham Fight in Scarva…
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For older members of the community, watching the video from Scarva where unionists gathered at one side of the Newry Canal to shout abuse at a perceived enemy on the other side, will bring back unpleasant memories of the 1997 …
Open Sunday – discuss what you like…
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The idea for Open Sunday is to let you discuss what you like. Just two rules. Keep it civil and no man/woman playing. Comments will close at 12 pm on Monday.
Open sunday – politics free zone…
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In addition to our normal open Sunday, we have a politics-free post to give you all a break. So discuss what you like here, but no politics. Comments will close at 12 pm on Monday.
Anybody in Ulster keen on claiming US Vice President JD Vance as one of their own?
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In his 2016 memoir Hillbilly Elegy JD Vance wrote that “to understand me, you must understand that I am a Scots-Irish hillbilly at heart” So writing from the heart on X Vance waded into the lists in the politicians’ row over the …
Storytime with Houdi – Broken Land…
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It was the Monday of St. Patrick’s week 1988. I was driving to my work in Newcastle Co. Down having just got my girlfriend’s father’s blessing for our marriage, making me the happiest man in Ireland. I turned the radio …
Why the Summit of the Cities Matters for All of Ireland…
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By Brendan Mulgrew, Managing Partner, MW Advocate Later this month Belfast will host what I believe is one of the most significant civic gatherings ever held on the island of Ireland. For the first time, all twelve cities across the …
Blue Pallets, Red Pallets and the Politics of Legitimacy: Who Really Owns Belfast’s Bonfires?
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Every July, blue and red pallets go up in flames on loyalist bonfires across Belfast. The theft is brazen, the impunity is total, and the cultural defence is well rehearsed. But behind the smoke lies a harder question — who is actually running this politics, and what do they gain from ensuring nothing ever changes?