David McCann

Sinn Féin Ard Chomhairle may rescind Michelle Gildernew deselection

David McCann on February 3, 2016, 9:56 am

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John Manley in today’s Irish News reports that Sinn Fein’s ruling body might over-turn the decision of the Fermanagh/South Tyrone convention last Sunday to deselect former MP, Michelle Gildernew. Manley writes; The party’s ard chomhairle is due to meet on Saturday February 13 to ratify the result of Sunday’s Fermanagh-South Tyrone selection convention but party sources have indicated that the outcome is far from a formality. The convention was re-run after an anomaly appeared between the number of delegates present …

7 things to look out for in the Irish General Election

David McCann on February 2, 2016, 8:19 pm

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Enda Kenny will finally call the general election tomorrow, which is likely to be held in the last week of February 2016. In that spirit, I thought I would do up a piece for some folks not as familiar with Southern elections and things to generally look out for. 1.Look out for the canvassers- There was a famous story about the Fine Gael TD, Nora Owen who thought she had a decent chance of topping poll in Dublin North, until …

Belfast City Council votes for a 1.48% increase

David McCann on February 1, 2016, 8:18 pm

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Belfast City Council tonight has agreed for the first time in four years to increase district rates by 1.48%. The council has for years made efficiencies of £20 million since 2006 and has set a target of £2 million a year for until 2019. The council says that the effect on ratepayers will be small arguing that on average the increase represents; 33p per month more for a terraced house. 50p for a three bedroom semi-detached house. £1.12p for four …

Phil Flanagan returns with Michelle Gildernew losing out

David McCann on January 31, 2016, 10:40 pm

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The Fermanagh/South Tyrone branch of Sinn Fein held their second selection convention tonight after the party’s Ard Chomhairle ordered another convention after the first chose, Michelle Gildernew, Sean Lynch and John Feeley. However, in a slight shock, Phil Flanagan has returned with Feeley and Lynch as his running mates. The former MP and minister, Michelle Gildernew lost out along with the current MLA, Bronwyn McGahan. The odd thing about this ticket is that it appears to have no constituency balance …

None of the MLAs elected in S.Belfast in 2011 will re-contest this year.

David McCann on January 29, 2016, 10:39 am

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South Belfast has had a turbulent time when it comes to their MLAs. Since 2011, four of the elected MLAs have stepped down and the other two (Anna lo and Michael McGimpsey) have confirmed that they will not contest this election. I think this is the first time in our devolved history where none of the MLAs elected at the previous election are re-contesting. This makes the Unionist race all the more interesting as the DUP aim to take two …

Is it time to ban election posters?

David McCann on January 29, 2016, 8:57 am

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Sinn Fein posters mounted on top of other party posters in East Antrim

The UUP chairman, Lord Empey has written to other parties seeking to ban election posters on lampposts. Here is what he had to say; Dear Chair, As we approach the third election cycle in as many years in May, I have felt for some time that this might be a time to revisit how we all campaign at such elections. We all put up thousands of posters around our towns, cities and rural areas. Many people believe these to be …

The Executive goes on the road….to Arlene and Martin’s hometowns.

David McCann on January 28, 2016, 3:14 pm

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ON THE ROAD AGAIN: It was announced today that the new Executive is set to go on the road for the first time and meet outside of Belfast. First up on the Executive’s road show is Fermanagh (home of the First Minister) and Derry (home of the Deputy First Minister).
These type of things happen in the UK, where the cabinet takes trips outside of London to see the other regions of the UK, yet I am not totally sure what is really achieved by doing this.

McGuinness would consider going to the Twelfth of July.

David McCann on January 21, 2016, 5:43 pm

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From Rodney Edwards in the Impartial Reporter today. He quotes the Deputy First Minister as saying; I keep meeting people within the community, my community, who say I am doing too much reaching out, who say it is not being reciprocated. I say, that’s not a good enough reason for me to stop doing it and I intend to continue to do it because it’s the right thing to do. Speaking about 12th July, McGuinness said; I think it’s important …

Budget passes but two Executive parties oppose it.

David McCann on January 19, 2016, 9:11 pm

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SHOW ME THE MONEY: The Budget has passed the Assembly with a vote of 62 for, with 30 against. The DUP and Sinn Fein voted for the budget with Alliance, SDLP, UUP, TUV, Greens, Basil McCrea, John McCallister and Claire Sugden voting against.

DUP Reshuffle: Storey goes to Finance and Morrow to Social Development.

David McCann on January 12, 2016, 5:10 pm

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RESHUFFLE: Mervyn Storey goes from Social Development to Finance. Her constituency colleague, Lord Morrow joins the Executive as Social Development Minister. Simon Hamilton, Jonathan Bell, Michelle McIlveen and Emma Pengelly retain their current positions.

The possible demise of the ‘Naughty Corner;’ could it see the end of opposition?

David McCann on January 12, 2016, 2:34 pm

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LOYAL OPPOSITION: During this term of the Assembly there has been a growing number of independent and minor party MLAs who sit just behind the Alliance party in the chamber. They range from Steven Agnew on the left to Jim Allister on the right, from moderate Unionists like John McCallister to more middle of the road folks like Basil McCrea.

Neil Somerville to stand down from the Assembly

David McCann on January 11, 2016, 4:33 pm

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The UUP MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, Neil Somerville, is to step down from the Assembly with a replacement chosen next month. Mr Somerville replaced Tom Elliott just under a year ago. Speaking about his departure, Tom Elliott said; I am sorry that Neil is standing down. He has always been very helpful to me and others and it is unfortunate that he is unable to continue as an MLA. He always has the best interests of Fermanagh and …

Foster: “Today is a new chapter in Northern Ireland’s story but when the history of this time comes to be written let it be said of all of us that we fought the good fight, we finished the race and we have kept the faith”

David McCann on January 11, 2016, 3:02 pm

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Arlene Foster spoke for the first time in the chamber as First Minister; Mr Speaker, it was with great humility, an enormous sense of responsibility and the imagination of endless potential for Northern Ireland that I affirmed the pledge of office and take up this post today. I can think of no greater honour than to have the opportunity to serve my country and the people of Northern Ireland as their First Minister. I am truly humbled by the trust …

Robinson: ‘ I hereby resign the office of First Minister with confidence that the political institutions we have together created will be here for generations to come’

David McCann on January 11, 2016, 12:19 pm

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Remarks by outgoing First Minister, Peter Robinson; I am grateful for the opportunity to make this statement. It is typical of the fairness and courtesy you have demonstrated during your time in office that you provided me with this opportunity and made all the necessary arrangements. I can assure you that I do not intend to trespass on your generosity by speaking too long. Mr Speaker, it has been a great privilege to serve the people of Northern Ireland for …

Foster: “The rebellion which took place 100 years ago this Easter was directly to attack the state to which I owe my allegiance”

David McCann on January 9, 2016, 4:36 pm

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Arlene Foster has ruled out any attendance at events commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising. Speaking to the Impartial Reporter she said; The rebellion which took place 100 years ago this Easter was directly to attack the state to which I owe my allegiance. I don’t think I would be invited, but even if I was invited I certainly would not be going to commemorate a violent attack on the United Kingdom. She continued; I don’t think they …

Will the SDLP’s change in MLAs yield electoral success in May?

David McCann on January 8, 2016, 12:01 pm

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CHANGING OF THE GUARD: There has been an interesting changing of the guard within the SDLP over the last year across all levels of the party. We all know that the leadership team was given a dramatic shake up in November when Colum Eastwood ousted Alasdair McDonnell as party leader and Fearghal McKinney took the deputy post from Dolores Kelly. But another shift has been happening that is noteworthy and that is the shake-up in the party’s assembly group.

Vernon Coaker Remains as Shadow NI Secretary

David McCann on January 6, 2016, 12:58 am

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It took 33 hours and what we thought would be a very extensive reshuffle turned out to be minimal as only a small number of shadow ministers left and changed portfolios. To begin with close to home Vernon Coaker remains as the Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary. Here is a full list of the slightly new Shadow Cabinet It’s official. New Shad Cabinet pic.twitter.com/pUP2OHWCRg — Paul Waugh (@paulwaugh) January 6, 2016 David McCannDavid McCann holds a PhD in North-South relations …

Belfast City Council debate on inviting the ROI & NI football teams to City Hall

David McCann on January 5, 2016, 7:55 pm

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Tonight Belfast City Council rejected two amendments by the DUP and UUP that would have changed the original decision by the council in December to invite the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland football teams for a reception in Belfast City Hall. Here are some live tweets from myself and Rebecca Black from the Belfast Telegraph from the debate .@BrianKingston says Cllrs declaring that they dont support NI is “sending out the wrong message. “ — David McCann (@dmcbfs) January 5, …

Why Some Councils Need to Relax over 2016 Commemorations

David McCann on January 5, 2016, 3:13 pm

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AT EASE WITH OURSELVES: Over the past number of weeks, I have been thinking a bit about 2016. How do we in a divided society remember and commemorate the centenaries of two hugely important events in our history, namely the Easter Rising and The Somme? There are some who want to pursue a course of a hierarchy of commemorations. Last night Antrim and Newtownabbey council made a decision to support £50,000 for Somme events, whilst opposing money to commemorate the Easter Rising.

Alban Maginness to step down at the next election

David McCann on January 5, 2016, 12:04 am

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The long serving SDLP MLA for North Belfast, Alban Maginness will step down at the next election. A new candidate will be selected on 14th January. I would assume that the former Lord Mayor and Cllr for Oldpark, Nichola Mallon will be the strong favourite to take the baton for the party. Others like former Lord Mayor and Cllr for Castle, Pat Convery are waiting in the wings as well. Few things to remember; Sinn Fein are only running two …