Belfast Gonzo INTERESTING terminology used on BBC World Service’s World update yesterday (might be gone now, but the audio was here). The news reader described the DUP as “hardline loyalist” and the UUP as “loyalist”. The SDLP “claims the more moderate nationalist vote” and there’s mention of “republican Sinn Fein”, which the home audience might get worked up about. Belfast Gonzosluggerotoole.com
THE Electoral Commission has set up a study to find out why young people are disengaging from politics. In the 2001 General Election, only about 35 percent of 18 to 24-year-olds voted. Will you be voting on May 5? If not, why not? It seems that despite rumours to the contrary, young people are interested in politics, but perhaps it’s certain issues and not party politics that floats their boat.Stuart Mullan, outreach officer at the commission’s Belfast office, said their …
BETTING has already opened on the successor to Pope Benedict at Irish bookie Paddy Power, the BBC reports. The Vatican will be delighted to know that Father Dougal Maguire (Craggy Island) and Bono (Ireland) are both hanging in there at 1000-1. Belfast Gonzosluggerotoole.com
SO there you have it. The SDLP says ‘no’. Never. To voluntary coalition, as proposed by the UUP, DUP and Alliance.Earlier this month, Robinson said: It is time to move on with those who are committed to exclusively peaceful and democratic politics in both word and deed. A mandatory inclusive executive, however formed, involving those who are criminal godfathers will never gain our support. Democrats should not be asked to tarry for those unable or unwilling to pursue entirely democratic …
THE Press Complaints Commission will be holding an open day in Belfast on May 18th at Belfast’s Waterfront Hall to which anyone can go. And no, it only applies to newspapers.The blurb reads: The day will be structured as follows: Afternoon surgery: a chance to speak to Commission members and staff about any aspect of the PCC’s work. The Studio 4.30-6pm Question Time: members of the public are invited to grill a panel of individuals, who have experience of the …
THE News Letter reports that David Archer Jnr has resigned as an Ulster Unionist councillor “and quit his party’s election campaign amid an inquiry into an alleged incident at a council office was launched”.The report continued: David Archer Jnr last night withdrew his candidacy in the local government elections and left his position on Lisburn City Council. A source said there was an investigation under way into “a latenight incident”. The council said it had received a report from its …
A TANGLED Web carried an interview with UUP Lagan Valley Westminster candidate Basil McCrea yesterday.When asked the killer question about whether he could beat Donaldson, McCrea replied. Yes. What is Mr. Donaldson well known for? Walking out on the negotiations at the 11th hour, standing for one party and joining another, opposing the Belfast Agreement whilst in the UUP and then advocating the SF-DUP Comprehensive agreement whilst in the DUP. With regard to the numbers (rounded for simplification) there were …
THE South Belfast branch of the UUP imploded earlier today after the 15 members of the Willowfield branch said they did not support the party’s candidate Michael McGimpsey, preferring the DUP candidate, Jimmy Spratt, instead. Belfast Gonzosluggerotoole.com
SO the white smoke has finally billowed and the bells of St Peter’s have pealed to proclaim papal favourite Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as the new Pontiff. Further reaction here.The BBC reported: Archbishop Sean Brady said Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who will be known as Pope Benedict XVI, was a man of ability with “great simplicity of life”. “He will also be very keen on dialogue with people of other faiths and other churches,” he said. PA reported: Irish President Mary McAleese …
AFTER the UUP spent the past year trying to portray itself as more hard line than the DUP, today David Trimble described his party as ‘moderate’ and ‘centrist’. Perhaps Mr Trimble realised that his chances of holding his seat may depend upon attracting the voters his party usually has little time for. But what if those people think Trimble has had his chance – and blew it?Trimble told Breakfast with Frost: “I think it would be much better now to …
DOWNPATRICK band Ash will have their song ‘Clones’ on the soundtrack to the next Star Wars video game (although the news was out months ago). Only 25 days, four hours, and 20 minutes to go.According to wikipedia, Ash’s song is the first non-John Williams music to be used for Star Wars. Wonder if the new movie will be better than the last two, which were kind of average. Belfast Gonzosluggerotoole.com
AFTER Bono from U2’s revelation of a brush with the IRA, can it be too long before he joins the election trail here? He seems to be seen on as many political platforms than concert stages these days, so if I was in the SDLP and desperate and I ever wanted to call in a favour… would now not be the time? Of course, it’s likely Bono coulod be suffering from Vertigo around election time, and not make it here. …
WITH Bob McCartney quitting North Down, are the Ulster Unionists starting to show signs of distress in North Down? Well, their Union flag is upside down on their website, notes Tim Grant on ATW. “Could be an omen,” ponders Tim.If Lady Sylvia would like to learn how to avoid such an embarrassing social faux pas again, she should click to this handy guide by Woodlands Junior School (by geography students between the ages of seven and 11 years) that I …
THE Deeny saga continues. After an SDLP councillor backed the independent Assembly member yesterday for the West Tyrone seat, today an email from Dr Deeny emerges in which he held out the prospect of joining the party in the future – which he now appears to have ruled out.The Carrickmore GP denied it represented an offer to join, saying: “I would be inclined towards any party which is cross-community and social democrat in its principles. Unfortunately the SDLP is not …
AND people wonder why tourists are still somewhat wary about coming here? Only down the road from last night’s petrol bomb attack on a hotel, the entire hoarding surrounding the building of the extension to the backpackers’ hostel is painted with the friendly message: “Sandy Row welcomes you to loyalist South Belfast”. Which of the 150 visitors forced out of Days Hotel last night could possibly never return after such a warm welcome?The hoarding is, incidentally, opposite Whitehall Square apartments. …
THE SDLP *really* need to sort out their website’s new colour scheme! Let’s pray it’s still ‘under construction’. Belfast Gonzosluggerotoole.com
PARADE problems of a different kind, this time to do with the cost of policing them. The News Letter reports that a loyalist band parade to raise money for the tsunami appeal cost £29,444 to police – and only raised £500. Then a band parade was halted, not by the Parades Commission, but by the PSNI – because there weren’t enough officers to police the event. Marching is an expensive business……so when the Orange Order published the findings of a …
SLUGGER contributor slackjaw has caught the blogging bug and started his own website. It’s not everyone that can fit the Pope, porn, the Sunday Times and S&M into the same post, but Hugh Green means it… most sincerely, folks. Some nice anedotes too, so click onThis entry also made me laugh: I was 3 in 1979. My only memory of PJP2 coming to Ireland was of me falling down the stairs. I have no idea what proportion of Ireland’s working …
READ Lady Sylvia Hermon’s rivetting election diary in the Sunday Times. I’ll set the tone: “Day One: Dogs’ haircut today”. No it’s not April 1 and you haven’t clicked on the Sue Denham column – who takes a poke at some election posters (see below) today. Belfast Gonzosluggerotoole.com
ANYONE notice that quite a few election posters got blown down in the recent stormy gales? Aside from the constant issue of them getting taken down post-election quickly, do readers think they’re an effective way of getting votes or establishing a presence? A necessary evil, perhaps, or is it essential just to be seen to be keeping up with the competition? Belfast Gonzosluggerotoole.com
