David McCann – Page 9 – Slugger O'Toole

Long says she is the candidate who can gain transfers to win the third seat

David McCann on May 14, 2019, 2:22 pm

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The Alliance Party launched their European Manifesto today in Belfast with their candidate and party leader, Naomi Long leading the event. The Alliance Leader was keen to stress the recent surge in support for the party at the recent local government elections with a pitch about the “forward momentum” that her party was enjoying in comparison to her main rivals whom she argued where either stagnating or falling backwards. In her remarks she said; Brexit has not happened yet but …

Sectarianism in Northern Ireland report launched today

David McCann on May 14, 2019, 2:05 pm

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“What we are doing at the moment is not enough. We need to actively take care of regular sustained relationships. Social integration must be a project.” The Sectarianism in Northern Ireland report was launched today at Ulster University Belfast. The report gives a general overview of the state of communal relations in Northern Ireland and highlights the continuing problems around sectarianism in our society. It was prepared by Professor Duncan Morrow in conjunction with the members of the Sir George …

Diane Dodds launches her re-election bid to defend the union and deliver Brexit

David McCann on May 13, 2019, 12:51 pm

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Diane Dodds launched her bid for re-election today at Seaview Sradium in North Belfast. She set out her pitch for the June 2016 referendum to be respected; In June 2016, almost 350,000 people in Northern Ireland voted to leave the European Union as part of the UK wide vote. Its time to deliver Brexit and respect democracy. We must fight this election and secure a mandate which is heard loudly in Brussels and London. The stakes could not be higher. …

Eastwood “If you want to send a Pro-Remain MEP, I am the bet”

David McCann on May 11, 2019, 11:27 am

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As one election ends another begins. Yesterday we were invited to follow the SDLP European Candidate and Party Leader, Colum Eastwood around on the North Belfast leg of his trip. We moved around in the new famous battle bus that has garnered comments from Diane Dodds and Jim Allister. This included a visit to a day centre in Newington then to the Girdwood site for a visit with local MLA, Nichola Mallon and then up to the Crumlin Star for …

Fr Martin Magill’s powerful address at the funeral of Lyra McKee

David McCann on April 24, 2019, 3:52 pm

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Powerful. pic.twitter.com/2trGMn6wKA — Martin McAuley (@MartinMcAuley) April 24, 2019 You can read all of Father Magill’s speech here Key part of the address Since Thursday night we have seen the coming together of many people in various places and the unifying of the community against violence. I commend our political leaders for standing together in Creggan on Good Friday. I am however left with a question: ‘Why in God’s name does it take the death of a 29 year old …

Slugger Verdict: ranking the PEBs of #LE19

David McCann on April 22, 2019, 12:00 pm

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Our crack panel sat down and reviewed the party election broadcasts hitting your screens for #LE19. Listen to our musings – frivolous and more serious – about messaging, target audiences, music and aesthetics as well as politics in our podcast with Allison Morris, Chris Brown, Alan Meban and David McCann.

Naomi Long to stand in the European Election

David McCann on April 18, 2019, 2:01 pm

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The Alliance Party Leader, Naomi Long will stand in the European Election. Speaking about her nomination she said; “I am passionate about the EU and the enormous benefits it has brought not only to us in Northern Ireland, but also right across these islands and more widely across Europe over many decades. Maintaining stability, co-operation and collaboration at that level is absolutely vital to our future,2 she said. “The chaos and uncertainty created by Brexit has impacted every aspect of …

Speculation that Colum Eastwood will stand for the European Election

David McCann on April 15, 2019, 8:05 pm

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Hearing reports @columeastwood is about to enter EU election race. pic.twitter.com/cuo134ITCY — Enda McClafferty (@endamcclafferty) April 15, 2019 Following one declaration today, the SDLP are now in the process of selecting their candidate for the European Election. Mounting speculation is that the party leader, Colum Eastwood will take up the baton for the party. It is a risk for him to be sure, but with Nicholson out of the race, the SDLP need to show they’re taking this race seriously …

Jim Nicholson will not run for re-election

David McCann on April 15, 2019, 4:11 pm

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Story broken by the News Letter’s political editor, Sam McBride; “I said a few weeks ago that it was time to hand the baton on and that is still my belief. Therefore I won`t be putting my name forward to seek selection as the Ulster Unionist Party`s candidate in the forthcoming European elections.” Continuing he told the News Letter I worked with Ian Paisley and John Hume to secure peace funding from Europe and it’s something of which I am …

If you could ask an architect anything, what would it be?

David McCann on April 3, 2019, 4:45 pm

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The annual Ask an Architect initiative returns for its fourth year and you can take advantage. Chartered architects from across Northern Ireland are taking part, supporting Friends of the Cancer Centre by offering their time to the public, as part of an initiative being organised by the Royal Society of Ulster Architects (RSUA), PLACE, and the Jill Todd Trust. The concept couldn’t be simpler. In return for a minimum £40 donation you get an hour-long, no strings attached consultation with …

Slugger TV discusses Brexit, Theresa May and the Local Elections

David McCann on March 29, 2019, 4:46 pm

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Slugger TV: Episode 24 from Northern Visions NvTv on Vimeo. Latest Slugger TV, this month I am joined by Commentators, Nelson McCausland and Daithi McKay David McCannDavid McCann holds a PhD in North-South relations from University of Ulster. You can follow him on twitter @dmcbfs

Malachai O’Hara selected as Deputy Leader of the Green Party

David McCann on March 10, 2019, 7:44 pm

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Malachai was selected by the party membership following an Annual General Meeting today (10th March 2019). Speaking about his new role he said; “I am proud to take on the role as Green Party Deputy Leader, supporting Clare Bailey MLA. Clare has brought new energy to the party since she took up the leadership mantle – there is a real enthusiasm amongst party members and supporters. “Our focus is on the local government elections in May and we stand a …

Swann “With the DUP at the helm, pro-union politics lies in the gutter”

David McCann on March 10, 2019, 7:07 pm

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Robin Swann spoke at his party’s spring conference yesterday; We cannot simply allow the last operating vestige of local democracy to be destroyed as well. The DUP and Sinn Fein wrecked all round them at Stormont, we cannot let them wreck Local Government too and bring the country to its knees. At the Party Conference in October past, I said that there was a battle to save the union from the DUP. I cannot say my view has changed. With …

Slugger TV looks at Alliance, Brexit and the Independent Group

David McCann on March 2, 2019, 8:47 pm

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Slugger TV: Episode 23 from Northern Visions NvTv on Vimeo. Latest Slugger TV with Allison Morris and Sarah Creighton discussing the Independent Group, Brexit and the Alliance Party. David McCannDavid McCann holds a PhD in North-South relations from University of Ulster. You can follow him on twitter @dmcbfs

50 years on from the Crossroads Election

David McCann on February 24, 2019, 7:36 pm

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Today marks the 50th anniversary of the 1969 General Election called by embattled Unionist Prime Minister, Terence O’Neill in order to regain the political initiative and garner support for his reform programme. What had been hoped as a circuit breaker only sowed more division and confusion. Within 24 hours of the election being called, several Unionist Associations had nominated anti-O’Neill candidates and it gave a platform for Ian Paisley to galvanise anti Unionist Party sentiment in the constituency of Bannside. …

SDLP take their place at the Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis

David McCann on February 23, 2019, 3:34 pm

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The first Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis since the announcement of the announcement of the partnership with the SDLP, so we thought we would go down and see the response that it was getting from delegates. There was a decent number of SDLP members and MLAs at the Ard Fheis, with members curious about the event and MLAs enjoying liaising with TDs and Senators. Despite the partnership being a few weeks old, you can still detect at a membership level some …

Tim Attwood won’t seek re-election

David McCann on February 20, 2019, 6:22 pm

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The group leader for the SDLP on Belfast City Council, Tim Attwood has announced that he will not seek re-election in his ward of Blackmountain at the forthcoming election. I have watched Tim at close quarters since covering the monthly council meetings, he had an encyclopedic knowledge of the standing orders and no matter how long the meeting or complicated the issue was able to understand all of the issues. In fact, it wasn’t uncommon for me to turn around …

Some thoughts about #le19

David McCann on February 15, 2019, 2:45 pm

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We are less than 100 days away from the Local Council elections in Northern Ireland which are set to take place on May 2nd. As candidates are selected and the campaign gets under way I thought I’d put up some things to watch out for in this election. Context is King-Before you look at the election that is coming up, you need to remind yourself about the circumstances of the previous one. In 2014, we were beginning to see the …

SDLP endorse partnership with Fianna Fail

David McCann on February 9, 2019, 4:51 pm

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SDLP delegates gathered in Newry today to debate the proposed partnership with Fianna Fail. After spending the afternoon debating the proposal, members have voted in favour of the partnership. The result of the ballot was 121 delegates in favour of partnership with Fianna Fail (70%). The support in favour of the alternative proposal of partnership with Fine Gael, Labour and Fianna Fail was 53 (30%). Follow the vote the SDLP Leadership issued this message; Today SDLP members have voted in …

Restoring devolution and seeking reunification go hand in hand

David McCann on February 5, 2019, 2:43 pm

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It has been two years the Executive collapsed and as usual the debate has shifted to a border poll with the usual questions, when it should be held? Under what circumstances? etc. I have read with some a certain lack of surprise some Nationalists say “we are over Stormont” and that there is little point in trying to revive the institutions. However, I think the frustration that many had about the previous Executive has led to a certain misguided malaise. …