Bangordub

Bangordub has lived in Bangor for six years The purpose of this particular blog is to give a nationalist, although not party political, perspective on politics and whatever else comes to mind with particular reference to the 6 Northeastern Counties of Ireland (or whatever your preference for calling them is). The twist is that I am not from these counties, rather a few miles south of the border. My intention is to amuse, stimulate and hopefully learn a few things along the way. I would ask that comments, if any, are not personally abusive. Robust is absolutely fine! Bangordub, May 2012

The Queens University Border Poll – semantics, sectarianism or substance?

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As many of you may be aware, the Sinn Féin students at Queens University in Belfast have succeeded in gaining sufficient votes to trigger a “united Ireland Poll” among the student body. This matter seems to have energised parts of the mainstream media to an inordinate degree, particularly the Belfast Telegraph. Personally I am all for for radical student politics, there is a long, proud tradition of rebellious students being at the forefront of political change and anger at the …

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Castlereagh South, Sinn Fein and the new Girl on the block

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I had an interesting conversation recently with the Sinn Fein candidate for Castlereagh South, Nuala Toman. Being honest, I was hoping for an insight into Sinn Fein strategy for the forthcoming elections and, perhaps, a snappy line that I might use as a headline for this article to engage readers. What I got was a smart, friendly, local political candidate who surprised me with her knowledge, intelligence and experience, and disarmed me somewhat with her candour and focus on the …

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John Barry: “We need legislators, not negotiators…”

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I had an interesting chat today with John Barry. A fellow Dubliner but a far more interesting and indeed public character than that may suggest. John is a Green Party candidate in the forthcoming Council elections standing in the Abbey ward of the new North Down and Ards Council. He was co-opted onto the existing North Down Council when Steven Agnew was elected as an MLA and will be seeking to retain the Green seat in the forthcoming elections but he …

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Privatising the investigation of crime?

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In light of recent developments regarding ex RUC officers being re-employed or not, as the case may be, this particular advertisment raises some interesting scenarios. Major Crime Investigators? BangordubBangordub has lived in Bangor for six years The purpose of this particular blog is to give a nationalist, although not party political, perspective on politics and whatever else comes to mind with particular reference to the 6 Northeastern Counties of Ireland (or whatever your preference for calling them is). The twist …

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