Lee Reynolds The Simpsons have taken a second look at St Patrick’s Day, this time the event is alcohol-free but the Pride of Ulster are holding their own parade with predictable results. Mayor Quimby remarks “Oh No! Without the booze these guys all remember how much they hate each other”. It was, of course, no surprise that it was the green leprechaun who threw the first punch to destroy the peace and quiet 😉 Irishby buggermenot123 Lee Reynolds
Frank Millar reports the UUP TUV talks / non-pact have left previously supportive Tories doubting the likelihood of merger with the Ulster Unionists. A Conservative source said: “The whole point was to move away from sectarian and tribal politics…He [David Cameron] certainly won’t want to be seen working with anti-agreement unionists…ineptitude along the lines of the earlier attempt to include the PUP within the Ulster Unionist Assembly Party.” Lee Reynolds
At NI questions the devolution of criminal justice and policing was raised and former Shadow NI Spokesperson and now a Senior adviser to David Cameron, Andrew MacKay, has called on the Goverment to: “…ensure that alternative action is taken so that minds are concentrated?” Lee Reynolds
Liam Clarke claims that the UUP’s sole sitting MP Sylvia Hermon has: “… made it crystal clear that she will neither take the Tory whip nor stand aside for another candidate.” He argues that the UUP/Tory talks on marriage/f*ck buddies/good friends must be in serious trouble if Sir Reg Empey says: “…some people thought the Ulster Unionist Party was left at the side of the road for dead. Well we are not dead and we have these talks going on. …
IIRC it was said at the Slugger Awards Judges panel that anyone who took an interest in the Conservative Party of Canada was a sad obsessive. So here is a thread for that small band of fellow obsessives. Canada has voted and the Conservatives have made gains but not enough to secure a majority government. Hoped for Conservative advances in Quebec were not achieved. It may also be worth noting that the Liberals election campaign was built around environmental issues …
UUP MLA Basil McCrea has made two staff redundant including Dromore by-election winner Carol Black. The failure of anticipated sources of funding to materialise has been blamed. The video report says there is disquiet within sections of the UUP about the situation. UPDATE Ignited has a few questions for Basil. McCrea’s website lists a Hillsborough office as opening soon. Lee Reynolds
Sir Reg Empey has denied that the UUP has made an electoral pact with the TUV: “With the European election, as the next scheduled election, coming up in June, we agreed on the priority of retaining two unionist representatives in Europe. This should be the overriding priority of all unionists in respect of this election. Such is only attainable by full utilisation of transfers between the unionist candidates.” He said the UUP intended to meet with the DUP about how …
A memorial window to the members of the RUC murdered or injured during the Troubles was unveiled yesterday in St Anne’s Cathedral. Lee Reynolds
The BBC reports 400-500 protestors took to the streets of Belfast to demand an Irish Language Act. Meanwhile Education Minister Catriona Ruane has launched a consultation on the future of Irish medium education. It urges the primary schools to create federated schools under a single principal and board (English pdf here, Irish pdf here). Lee Reynolds
Health Minister Michael McGimpsey has warned Omagh Council and Hospital Campaigners to get behind the proposals for an ‘enhanced local hospital’ or else he will drop all plans for a hospital in the town. There has been a vigorous campaign for a full acute hospital. He warned: “My capital fund is about 50% of what I need and the hospital infrastructure in Northern Ireland is about 50-years-old and needs replaced and hasn’t had the investment. So there is enormous competition …
A protest meeting is to be held by community groups about the decision by the Department for Social Development to further delay the already late distribution of Neighbourhood Renewal Funds. This was one of the Slugger Awards Jobsworth nominees. NICVA says 150 groups are being effected by this decision and in one community I know of the delays have already resulted in 6 workers being laid off (about half the workers in the area). Note this is not affected by …
Liam Clarke highlights that no big pow-wow over policing and justice is being planned. He argues it is up the two parties to get it sorted and non-government intervention the wisest option: “If governments intervene at this point, it will dissipate any pressure on either party to get on with the business of government. The best message London can send to both parties is “if you sort this out between you, then talk to us about money. If not we’ll …
The DUP Education spokesperson, Mervyn Storey, writing in the Belfast Telegraph outlines a means of overcoming the present impasse on education. It proposes a three year interim period while the new means of transfer are agreed. He also makes explicit mention of the Dickson plan: We support acceptable solutions such as the Dickson Plan. This period could be used to examine the feasibility and resource implications of extending more widely other existing practice. Lee Reynolds
The Speaker has censured Margaret Ritchie for her references to the Robert McCartney murder during a debate about Environmental Improvement Schemes in the Markets area. Lee Reynolds
Following a series of attempted attacks in Fermanagh UUP MLA Tom Elliott has called army personnel to return in a support role to police. He criticised security evaluations of dissident capabilities in the area and speculated: “Obviously they’re getting help and support which is a huge concern and I’m afraid that maybe some of that support is from coming over from mainstream republicanism.” Lee Reynolds
Iain Dale reports that the ‘Department of the Nations’ to replace the three SoS positions was indeed planned but could not happen because such a move requires legislation. If correct this is the second time a Labour proposal has been prevented late on because of ignorance of the legislative framework of government. Lee Reynolds
Mick was informed a few weeks ago and this is to let the rest of you know that I will ceasing to be a Slugger blogger in the next few months. I intend to stand down when I reach 1000 blogs which I estimate to be about November/December time. I may continue with occasional articles for Slugger as I do for the Our Kingdom blog. Lee Reynolds
The TA section of the Royal Irish Regiment deployment has returned to Northern Ireland after its six month tour in Afghanistan. Lee Reynolds
Martin McGuinness spoke yesterday at the Civil Rights commemoration event at the Guildhall in Londonderry. He offered two conspiracy theories about Unionism that some wanted a return to the 1960’s and that the DUP was not moving as it was looking over its shoulders. The speech also appeared to make two implied threats to devolution: “It isn’t just about whether there is or is not an Executive meeting – it is about partnership government and power sharing in the new …
The Young Unionist Blog is back after a hiatus of a year. One YU offers their personal thoughts on the UUP Tory link-up with a federal model the choice. However, denials about merger never being an option are curious. It is understandable why that may have now been ruled out in the course of the negotiations but surely it would have been more sensible to say it has been ruled out to deny it was ever an option? Slugger’s own …
