Lee Reynolds The implementation of Patten reforms has contributed to the the local crime clearance rate falling from the second best in the UK to the worst. However, for some it remains Patten and nothing but despite the real problems crime is causing and communities wanting more not less policing (Windows Media Player or Realplayer required 1m35sec in). So is it more of the same or time to re-assess? Lee Reynolds
Beatings, shootings and raids have not stopped the Burmese pro-democracy protests from entering their tenth day and the web continues as the means of getting the story out. Lee Reynolds
Brian Feeney argues the SDLP’s role as the Dublin government’s client party in Northern Ireland is over with its loss of electoral dominance. This has meant Fianna Fail has had to intervene and will consume the SDLP rather than a merger. He expects their first electoral foray to be the 2011 Assembly elections. Fianna Fail’s message will be the same as Sinn Fein but with greater credibility: He’s about to steal Sinn Féin’s political clothes. Fianna Fail will become a …
It seems schism in the Anglican communion has been avoided with the Anglican church in the USA agreeing to the Communion’s requests. Lee Reynolds
The military dictatorship in Burma has turned nasty against the pro-democracy protests spearheaded by Buddhist monks. UPDATE The first reports of deaths are coming in with battering to death the preferred option to shooting. Despite the limited access to the internet (UPDATE claims the junta is starting to reduce bandwidth), Burmese bloggers have played a key role in circumventing the press ban and getting information and images of the protest out of the country. Lee Reynolds
Protracted negotiations are about to commence between the UK, Republic of Ireland, Iceland and Denmark over ownership/control of the continental shelf around Rockall. It is believed that there are substantial gas and oil reserves in the area. Balrog is declaring a seabed once again. Whatever, the final deal or decisions, the exploitation of these reserves could produce a sizeable economic spin off but will Northern Ireland be able to maximise the benefit or will the existing infrastructure in the north …
In response to criticism from the Royal British Legion and the head of the Army soldiers serving a six month tour in Iraq or Afghanistan are expected to recieve a £140 council tax or rates rebate. This will be paid for out of the existing MOD budget. The same budget that for some reason finds it very difficult to stretch to things like flak jackets or have enough serviceable helicopters to supply the front-line. Lee Reynolds
Whatever exactly is going on in the YU’s and in particular,to control of the website remains somewhat unclear. However, it appears the much of the contributory team of the old site are not taking it lying down and have established a new blog (hat tip to Jim) arguing strongly for the UU’s to go into opposition. Lee Reynolds
Race is back on America’s political agenda in particular with the ongoing Jena 6 case and campaign. However, Barack Obama’s guarded response has led to more rather than less political problems with it claimed that Jesse Jackson described him as “not black enough”. Obama may genuinely believe that: “There is not a black America and a white America and latino America and asian America – there’s the United States of America.” But will it always be a case for those …
SDLP Deputy Leader Alasdair McDonnell says the SDLP will move to firmer ties with Fianna Fail and thinks they will reconsider running for Westminster seats. Meanwhile, a SF councillor has offered an explanation for the timing of the FF decision, it was fear of the Army: Mr McIvor said Fianna Fail had only been set up in the Republic in the 1920s after the British army left. “Now, surprise, surprise. Once the British army has left the streets of the …
The Writetothem.com site has revealed its latest figures for how long it takes for MP’s and other elected representatives to reply to queries using their website. Locally, Unionism seems to be outperforming Nationalism* and 3 DUP MPs make it into the top 25. The rest of the MPs cover the spectrum with Alasdair McDonell the worst performer, ranked 629 out of 633 (although data is unavailable for 5 local MPs). However, MPs remain the second most responsive representatives in the …
It seems Bertie Ahern wants Fianna Fail to head north to prepare to take on Sinn Fein in its electoral heartland with the absorption of/amalgamation with the SDLP possibly part of the long-term plan. On the Unionist side, the UUP have agreed to open talks with the DUP on an electoral pact and one of its MLAs, Billy Armstrong, has called for the DUP and UUP to amalgamate but his Mid-Ulster electoral maths is rather optimistic. Rumours of a new …
Scotland pull off a fine victory in Paris. England do the business on Russia. Worthington’s rein goes from bad to worse with the curse of the own goal returning. The Republic’s hopes of qualification fade too with defeat in Prague. Wales redeem a bit of pride with a goal-fest. Lee Reynolds
In a new four part series on BBC 4, the Protestant Revolution, Tristam Hunt casts his historian’s eye over the impact of the Reformation. The programme argues: It is a revolution which influences the very fabric of existence – from what we do for a living, to who we vote for, who we go to war with and how we see ourselves as individuals and as nations. Lee Reynolds
The much argued over Sexual Orientation Regulations were subject to a legal ruling today and both religious groups and LGB groups are claiming victory. While Justice Weatherup rejected the claim evangelical Christians were treated differently, he did set aside the harrassment section of the regulations because of the lack of consultation. Lee Reynolds
Both Scotland and England produced good performances and results but in a lacklustre performance Worthington’s Northern Ireland stumbled against bottom of the group Latvia losing 1-0 (a Baird own goal making the defeat more painful). UPDATE Republic of Ireland end up with a 2-2 draw after an injury-time Slovakian goal and Welsh woes continue with a 0-2 home defeat by Germany. Lee Reynolds
Denis Bradley offers his thoughts on what the UDA should do to restore credibility in particular with the political class. It includes engagement with the IICD, a resolution to wind-up the organisation, a time-frame and a trusted intermediary to negotiate the conitnuation of the funding. Lee Reynolds
The DUP have written to the UUP seeking wide-ranging talks to “maximise the Unionist vote at future elections” and UUP leader Sir Reg Empey is considering it. While Westminster seats, and talk of early elections is probably most prevalent in minds, the impression is the talks will be more wide-ranging. In a interview Peter Robinson mentioned the Assembly election results: “The Assembly election results demonstrated that greater co-operation between unionist candidates could have increased the total number of unionists returned …
While Scotland has stopped plans to include the innocent in its DNA database, a top judge has called for the entire UK population and all visitors to be put on the DNA database arguing it is a fairer system. It was recently revealed that the present England and Wales system has an estimated 550,000 errors (approximately one in eight of the total stored). In Northern Ireland over 1,000 people with no convictions are held on the database. Lee Reynolds
A mental health survey of the Whiterock community has found that many believe life has got worse since the Troubles ended. Lee Reynolds
