Andrew Charles

A review of the regional daily papers offers an insight not only into what the documents revealed under the thirty-year rule, but it provides an insight into the political nature and interpretation provided by the local media. From “burrowing like rats” to “systematic beatings by the ‘Goon Squad’” our local papers have got their readership all summed up.Aww … yes … asides from Father Christmas with his sack of goodies, a highlight of this time of year has to be …

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Dr John Bew writing for the Irish Times reports that files released under the thirty-year rule reveals that the government kept files on the main figures within Ireland, to include: politicians, academics and newspaper editors. The recently deceased Connor Cruise O’Brien was said to be: “a “brilliant polemicist”, who enjoyed “considerable popularity” within the Labour Party, despite his renegade style.” Whilst Charles Haughey was described as a “powerful figure with strong republican leanings.” He was also referred to as being …

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Much news and political debate has surrounded the outside interests of MP’s. William Hague is the latest to be thrown into the headlines as he defends his outside interests. Mr Hague is well known for after dinner speeches, charging up to £10,000 and holding a series of directorships. Should MP’s be allowed to have other interests (meaning additional jobs, roles etc) outside politics? Many of our Ulster MP’s have additional interests. Andrew CharlesLong time political hack

In both Christmas messages, the more traditional Queen’s message and the not so traditional Channel Four alternative message, given by the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, offered one message to viewers this Christmas – that is the importance of family and religion in the wake of troubled times. The focus of Her Majesty the Queen was very much on the family with reference also made to religion and the birth of Jesus. Addressing the difficult times felt by the nation she …

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Anyone looking Anthony McIntyres new book, Good Friday, may like to read this. It seems that some are selling it on Amazon for £85.00! The book is available at The Bookshop at Queen’s at the cost of around £17.00. Andrew CharlesLong time political hack

The economy has dominated the headlines for many months now as people fear a financial squeeze. However this fear is based on people not being able to live the way they have done for the last ten years. Therefore, has the focus on the economy driven by ten years of booming world markets shifted people’s view of the world and life in general? Have we all got too caught up in our own little bubble – an unrealistic and materialistic …

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Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams is known for being controversial. Today he has welcomed the Credit Crunch suggesting that it offers society a “reality check” and compared spending to “drug addiction”. Surely he has a point though does he not? Andrew CharlesLong time political hack

Fianna Fail have setup up a branch in South Armagh. This adds to their groups at Queen’s University Belfast and the University of Ulster, Magee Campus, as well as an association in Londonderry (?). This will obviously put pressure on both the SDLP and Sinn Fein if the party is to expand further. Andrew CharlesLong time political hack

Brian Feeney today dedicates his column in the Irish News to the UUP-Tory pact. Shedding an interesting light on the new relationship he regards the Tories move to enter a pact with the UUP as: “to plant the Tory flag in Norn Irn – so Labour can’t accuse him of leading an English party.” He also makes reference to Sir Edward Carson, the stalwart of Unionist politics in the early 20th century. Quoting Carson from his maiden speech, on entrance …

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If you had your TV tuned into the news tonight, and waited until the evening news was over, you would have seen the UUP/Tory Party Political Broadcast. If you did however miss it it is now on YouTube. “Join with us” Using the ‘sit down’, take note and ‘listen’ approach in telling people why they should vote for you, the catch phrase: “Join with us” featured prominently. However it did not appear to be an advert with a purpose to …

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Monday 7th December marks the 25th Anniversary of the murder of Queen’s Law Lecturer and Unionist Assembly member for South Belfast Edgar Graham. Edgar Graham was shot dead outside the Queen’s Library whilst talking to colleague, Dermot Nesbitt. His death followed the murder of South Belfast Unionist MP Robert Bradford two years previous whilst working in his constituency. The killers involved in either of these murders were never caught. “We will remember them” Andrew CharlesLong time political hack

Professor Brian Walker from the School of Politics at Queen’s University Belfast has a piece published in the Irish Times today about the Scots-Irish in America. He points out that over half of some 40 million people who gave their country of origin as Ireland are actually of Protestant descent. He also points out that many were Ulster Presbyterians, descending from Scotland in the 17th-century: “To explain this situation attention now focused on the Scots Irish. The first waves of …

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As the future King Charles prepares for the throne his Sixtieth birthday has been outflanked by suggestions in the Sunday Times that he will break tradition and speak out. Is this justified? Well according to the paper polls show that the population would be broadly in support of him. Perhaps he would say somethings politicians are afraid to given the fact that he will not rely on maintaining his position by standing before the electorate. The article also refers to …

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Browsing through the NI Life and Times Survey offers many anoraks, like myself, many hours of entertainment. I recently came across this survey in reply to the question: Looking back now at the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement, do you think it was a good thing for Northern Ireland, a bad thing or did it not make much difference? Sixty-four percent of those who responded said that it was a good thing whilst seven percent regarded it as a bad thing. Twenty-five …

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As debate rages on about the Ulster Unionists and Conservatives Fionnuala O Connor, writing in the Irish Times (see here) offers an interesting piece about the nature of their new relationship and how Mr Cameron is perhaps using the UUP to suit his own party political needs. What is clear is that the UUP are in a mess about this; as their membership continue to raise questions, questions which are being raised in the media. In the September issue of …

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