David McCann – Page 25 – Slugger O'Toole

UUP Manifesto: Making It Work

David McCann on April 30, 2016, 12:59 pm

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The UUP launched their 43 page manifesto three weeks ago highlighting the party’s plans for mental health, economy, agriculture and whether they will go back into the Executive. The manifesto, unlike others, does not place a huge emphasis on the party leader, Mike Nesbitt, rather it profiles other candidates throughout. Going back into the Executive Like all parties the UUP say they are running for government in this election. However, it places two caveats that the prospective Programme for Government must …

Sinn Fein Manifesto: Steady as she goes for a third term

David McCann on April 27, 2016, 4:41 pm

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Sinn Fein went for the minimalist approach towards their 2016 Assembly manifesto with a list of simple pledges that they hope will be enough to secure a third term in office and remain the largest Nationalist party. The party went to Derry to launch their manifesto, with Chris Hazzard, Martin McGuinness and Maeve McLaughlin speaking to the media and party supporters. Some interesting points that grab the reader, the manifesto is equally divided between what Sinn Fein has done in …

On The Doors: Alliance & Green Manifestos and the Abortion Debate

David McCann on April 25, 2016, 9:16 pm

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Episode Three of On The Doors reviewing the week that was of the 2016 Assembly election campaign. In this weeks edition we talked about the Alliance and Green party manifestos and the Abortion rights debate that has been ongoing during this election. This week we were joined by Commentator Felicity Huston David McCannDavid McCann holds a PhD in North-South relations from University of Ulster. You can follow him on twitter @dmcbfs

On The Doors: UUP & SDLP Manifestos plus the UTV Debate

David McCann on April 18, 2016, 12:33 pm

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Week Two of the On The Doors podcast with Irish News political correspondent, John Manley and former NUS-USI President, Adrianne Peltz. This week we discussed the launch of the UUP and SDLP manifestos as well as, the impact of the UTV debate. David McCannDavid McCann holds a PhD in North-South relations from University of Ulster. You can follow him on twitter @dmcbfs

Can a Unionist win in West Belfast?

David McCann on April 14, 2016, 10:41 pm

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When we think about West Belfast in this election, the focus generally goes to Gerry Carroll, Sinn Fein and the SDLP. But there is another contender for one of the final seats and that is the DUP’s Frank McCoubrey. Tonight I was invited out on the canvass with the candidate and the party’s deputy leader, Nigel Dodds. A team of 10 canvassers covered more than several hundred houses over two and half hours of pounding the streets. Before we began, …

UTV Leaders Debate; Party Leaders Play It Safe

David McCann on April 13, 2016, 9:14 pm

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The five leaders of Stormonts main parties gathered at the Lyric Theatre for the first debate of the 2016 assembly election. Three weeks out from polling day the party leaders are keen not to make mistakes and it showed tonight. All five seemed to have a conservative approach with few direct engagements between leaders and few interruptions. Moderator Marc Mallett asked questions on the Fresh Start Agreement, Economy, Education, Health and Abortion rights. The first segment invited leaders to make …

SDLP launch their plan for government or a play book for opposition?

David McCann on April 13, 2016, 12:49 pm

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Two days ago the SDLP ventured West of the Bann to Dungannon for the launch of their manifesto for the 2016 Assembly election. The party was pledging a radical and ambitious plan for the next five years and this is the first opportunity that the SDLP leader, Colum Eastwood has to stamp his policy direction on the party. The full 49 page document is available here for you to read, but here are some of the key bits I found …

On The Doors Podcast; Ep 1, Week 1

David McCann on April 9, 2016, 3:22 pm

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Over the next four weeks, the Irish News political correspondent, John Manley and myself will be conducting a video podcast called “On The Doors” looking back over the week that was in politics. Episode One is out today & we were joined by the commentator, Adrianne Peltz. This week, we looked at trouble in the SDLP & Sinn Fein in West Tyrone, the DUP manifesto and the UUP going to Dublin to examine the Easter Rising. Our thanks go to the …

” Entrepreneurship is about building strong communities. It is about creating jobs and making business play its part in forming a better society for each of us to live and work in”

David McCann on April 7, 2016, 7:06 pm

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Gerry Carlile is a well known local businessman from West Belfast. He has written an interesting article about the need for a new generation of entrepreneurs to emerge in West Belfast to help drive the economy forward. This caught my eye as mostly it chimes with my own thinking that SME’s are Northern Ireland’s route to economic salvation in the longer term and simply we have too few policy-makers who have not been involved in running a business. Anyway the …

Why a Grand Coalition would be a Grand Mistake for Fianna Fail

David McCann on April 7, 2016, 11:01 am

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There is a lot of talk about coalitions and minority governments going on these days since the Irish electorate gave a collective “huh?” to the main parties. As I noted earlier there have now been the first talks between the Taoiseach and Fianna Fail leader about possibly forming some sort of grand coalition. It has to happen some commentators say and it has surely been a long time coming, but I want to give a different perspective as to why …

Kenny makes his first serious move towards forming a grand coalition

David McCann on April 7, 2016, 10:09 am

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In the first meeting between the Micheal Martin & Kenny, the Fine Gael Press Office told us about this offer; This evening the Taoiseach Enda Kenny and the Leader of Fianna Fáil Micheal Martin had a positive and constructive meeting during which they discussed the current political situation and options for the formation of a stable and lasting Government. The Taoiseach made a formal offer for the formation of a full partnership Government including Fine Gael, Independents and Fianna Fail …

Nesbitt “We are not here simply to be controversial. We are here to offer an unapologetic unionist perspective on the event of 100 years ago”

David McCann on April 6, 2016, 8:13 pm

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The UUP held an event in Dublin this afternoon to give a Unionist perspective on the Easter Rising. Here are the remarks given by the party leader, Mike Nesbitt; (I have highlighted some key passages) I hope today has been challenging, but not for its own sake. We are not here simply to be controversial. We are here to offer an unapologetic unionist perspective on the event of 100 years ago; the causes, and the lasting consequences of what we …

Northern Ireland: When was it founded?

David McCann on April 6, 2016, 1:06 pm

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A policy proposal in the DUP manifesto has started a little of debate over just when Northern Ireland came into existence. In today’s Irish News, John Manley talks with Eamon Phoenix and whilst he dismisses the DUP date of 5th May as inaccurate, he still does not have a concrete date for the foundation of Northern Ireland. Speaking to Manley he said; There is no reason to mark May 3 – or May 5 for that matter, He continued going through …

Lee Reynolds appointed as Regional Co-ordinator for Vote Leave campaign

David McCann on April 5, 2016, 5:12 pm

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As we get closer to the referendum on June 23rd, the campaigns are now beginning to take shape. Today Lee Reynolds (formerly of this parish), who was the group leader of the DUP in Belfast City Council has been appointed as the Northern Ireland Regional Co-ordinator for the Vote Leave campaign. Lee has taken leave from his current job at DUP Headquarters to work on this campaign. David McCannDavid McCann holds a PhD in North-South relations from University …

Two SDLP Councillors resign from the party in West Tyrone.

David McCann on April 5, 2016, 8:53 am

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The SDLP are launching their election campaign this morning and they have some bad news greeting leader, Colum Eastwood as the BBC’s Gareth Gordon tweets; SDLP councillors Josephine Deehan& @PatsyKellySDLP resign and will stand as indsocial democrats in W Tyrone. Blow for @columeastwood — Gareth Gordon (@BBCGarethG) April 5, 2016 Ryan McAleer from the Ulster Herald follows up with; StrabanecllrPatsy Kelly and OmaghcllrJo Deehanhave blamed “unconstitutionalpractices and cronyism” within @SDLPlive locally. #AE16 — Ryan McAleer(@RyanMcAleerUH) April 5, 2016 John Manley …

DUP launch Arlene’s Plan for Northern Ireland

David McCann on April 4, 2016, 2:18 pm

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AAA: ALL ABOUT ARLENE; The first of the major parties out of the traps with their manifesto was the DUP this morning, who on the Shankill Road in West Belfast (a key DUP target seat) set out their policies for the next five years and focused heavily on their party leader, Arlene Foster. I thought I would go through the 31 page document and highlight some of the key bits. The first thing that catches your eye is that it really is the triple A factor-All About Arlene. This is clearly Arlene’s plan and vision and the party must be hearing on the doors that she is a key electoral asset for them.

Ford to attend interfaith service for all victims of Easter Rising

David McCann on April 1, 2016, 6:55 pm

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David Ford is to attend an interfaith service for all victims of the Easter Rising at Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin. The event will see the unveiling of a was inscribed with the names of all those who lost their lives during the Rising namely members of Irish Volunteers, Irish Citizen Army, British Army, Dublin Metropolitan Police and Royal Irish Constabulary, as well as civilians. Speaking about the decision, Ford said; This memorial is inspired by the International Memorial of Notre …

Eastwood would talk to Dissident Republicans

David McCann on April 1, 2016, 2:10 pm

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Interesting interview with the Irish Times with Brian Rowan speaking to the SDLP Leader, Colum Eastwood. The interview focused on security issues and how best to deal with the threat posed by dissident republicans. Speaking to Rowan, Eastwood said; I would go anywhere and speak to anyone if I thought it would save one life He continued arguing; If Irish history shows us anything, it’s that a security response alone won’t work. That means we have to constantly take on and …

President Higgins pulls out of City Hall Dinner

David McCann on March 31, 2016, 4:00 pm

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President Higgins has pulled out of the civic dinner to be held at Belfast City Hall to commemorate the Easter Rising. However according to the Irish News; It is understood the fact the occasion has not garnered enough cross-party support, with a number of unionists declining invitations, motivated the president’s decision to stay away. Commenting about the decision, Lord Mayor Arder Carson said; I am extremely disappointed that the President is no longer attending this event, part of our Decade …

Candidates from the parties in #ae16

David McCann on March 24, 2016, 2:19 pm

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A few people have gotten in touch with us to ask if it is possible to get a list of candidates running in this years Assembly election. In the spirit of being a public service, I thought I would compile a list of candidates running for each party in the Assembly. If I have missed anybody let me know and I will add them. NOTE- Constituencies left blank means that the party has just not nominated a candidate yet DUP …