Brian O'Neill 
It is not looking to be a good year for the Conservative Party. Heavy losses in the English local elections are an omen of what is to come in this year’s general election. Here are the results so far: I am sure you will all feel sorry for the poor aul tories. At least they have their millions to comfort them. "It's going to be very, very difficult for [Rishi Sunak] indeed to turn it round" Prof Sir John Curtice …
I know what you are thinking. Its been at least a whole day since we have had a post on reunification. But lest you get the DT’s Professor John Doyle and Professor Brendan O’Leary come along to kick their highly polished patent leather boots into the IIEA report from the other week. The last time I called it report tennis, with each side lobbing reports back and forward. But I prefer to think of this one as a WWE tag …
Yet more deaths on our roads. This time with the horrendous twist that one of the victims featured in a campaign to improve the A5 road just 2 days ago. From the BelTel: The two young people killed in a crash on the A5 last night have been named. Kamile Vaicikonyte (17) passed away alongside Jamie Moore (19) in the accident on the Doogary Road near Omagh. Ms Vaicikonyte lived in Aughnacloy with her family and worked in the Supervalu …
At times, you do wonder if this place will ever change, but when you zoom out from the day to day, there have been some dramatic changes. It is not that long ago since we had the ‘Save Ulster From Sodomy’ campaign trying to valiantly protect the good citizens of Ulster from ‘the gays’. But times change. We now have our first openly gay Minister in Andrew Muir, and now his Alliance party colleague councillor Micky Murray to be the …
There are reports this morning that Humza Yousaf will quit as First Minister of Scotland. This follows the Green Party’s removal of support last week and a planned vote of no confidence. He has called a press conference for 12pm today. Humza Yousaf: MSPs braced for announcement on SNP leader’s future ‘one way or another this morning’ – UK politics live https://t.co/UKSqu465QD — The Guardian (@guardian) April 29, 2024 Brian O'NeillManaging Editor of Slugger O’Toole. I help to manage Slugger …
Jason Barr is a councillor on Derry City & Strabane District Council. This morning he resigned from the SDLP and plans to continue as an independent. He posted a statement on Facebook this morning: Today I have resigned from the SDLP and will continue my tenure as an Independent Councillor. This decision was not made easily. I simply cannot be involved in a party that doesn’t stick to party democratic processes. Values that the party was built upon is seemingly …
DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has given a wide-ranging interview with Liam Tunney in the Beltel. Still, the bit that is being highlighted is his comments about the past treatment of the LGBT community. From the article: A recent BBC documentary —Blood on the Dancefloor — told the story of Darren’s life and murder. It also explored the attitude of the media and security forces towards the LGBT community. Mr Muir, who contributed to the programme, said the state should apologise …
In addition to our normal open Sunday, we have a politics-free post to give you all a break. So discuss what you like here, but no politics. Brian O'NeillManaging Editor of Slugger O’Toole. I help to manage Slugger by taking care of the site as well as running our live events. My background is in business, marketing and IT. My politics tend towards middle-of-the-road pragmatism; I am not a member of any political party. When not stuck in front of …
The idea for Open Sunday is to let you discuss what you like. Just two rules. Keep it civil and no man/woman playing. Brian O'NeillManaging Editor of Slugger O’Toole. I help to manage Slugger by taking care of the site as well as running our live events. My background is in business, marketing and IT. My politics tend towards middle-of-the-road pragmatism; I am not a member of any political party. When not stuck in front of a screen, I am …
I see in the news that Phoenix Energy has been sold to a Hong Kong billionaire. From the BBC: Phoenix Energy is being sold to a consortium associated with one of Hong Kong’s wealthiest businessmen. Phoenix owns and operates the largest natural gas distribution network in Northern Ireland, covering Greater Belfast, Larne and East Down. It is currently owned by the NatWest pension fund and an Australian infrastructure investor. They have agreed to sell it to three firms in the …
From Ryan McAleer in the Irish News: Delivering a balanced budget was one of the Treasury’s three conditions for wiping a £559 million debt built up by Stormont departments overspending in previous years. Finance Minister Caoimhe Archibald delivered that aspect on Thursday after securing executive approval for her 2024/25 budget, albeit with Health Minister Robin Swann dissenting. We knew from the briefing given to the finance committee last week that there was a shortage of around £2bn from what ministers …
From the BBC: The Alliance Party is to begin the process of finding a replacement for Patrick Brown after he unexpectedly quit Stormont. Announcing the news on Tuesday, a spokesperson said the resignation was due to “personal reasons”. The party now has seven days to co-opt a replacement for Mr Brown to the assembly. Under Stormont rules, Alliance can choose someone to fill the vacant seat without the need for a by-election. Those internal processes to find a replacement will …
Not a great weekend for the UUP. With Robin, due to Swann off and leaving the health service drifting aimlessly towards the rocks, their great hope to take the North Down seat, Colonel Tim Collins, gave a disastrous interview to the Newsletter. It really is worth a read. Here are some of the best bits: was also scathing about his potential rivals, saying “they are concerned with potholes, parking and dog excrement on the pavement”. Mr Collins argues there “isn’t any …
Robin Swann is a popular politican. He won much public respect for his steady handling of the Covid pandemic, and people respect him for taking on the poisoned chalice of health when Sinn Féin and the DUP would not touch it. Unfortunately, it looks like much goodwill towards him will soon evaporate. Mr Swann told BBC’s Sunday Politics that once the election period begins, he would give up his seat in the Stormont Executive to canvas. While you can try …
In addition to our normal open Sunday, we have a politics-free post to give you all a break. So discuss what you like here, but no politics. Brian O'NeillManaging Editor of Slugger O’Toole. I help to manage Slugger by taking care of the site as well as running our live events. My background is in business, marketing and IT. My politics tend towards middle-of-the-road pragmatism; I am not a member of any political party. When not stuck in front of …
The idea for Open Sunday is to let you discuss what you like. Just two rules. Keep it civil and no man/woman playing. Brian O'NeillManaging Editor of Slugger O’Toole. I help to manage Slugger by taking care of the site as well as running our live events. My background is in business, marketing and IT. My politics tend towards middle-of-the-road pragmatism; I am not a member of any political party. When not stuck in front of a screen, I am …
From the BBC: A number of relatives of 48 people who died in a Dublin nightclub fire in 1981 have called for a government apology after a jury found they had been unlawfully killed. The jury in the inquests delivered their verdict after 11 days of deliberation. It was met by cheers and applause from relatives in court. About 800 people had been attending a Valentine’s Day disco when the fire started. Jurors also found it began in the hot …
This morning Israeli attacked Iran with a missile strike. Is this a face-saving exercise after the Iranian missile strikes on Israel or a precursor to a wider war in the Middle East? Israel has hit Iran with a missile, US officials say, but the extent of the attack is not yet clear Follow live updates and analysis https://t.co/Ym5n7vExJA — BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) April 19, 2024 Brian O'NeillManaging Editor of Slugger O’Toole. I help to manage Slugger by taking care …
In addition to our normal open Sunday, we have a politics-free post to give you all a break. So discuss what you like here, but no politics. Brian O'NeillManaging Editor of Slugger O’Toole. I help to manage Slugger by taking care of the site as well as running our live events. My background is in business, marketing and IT. My politics tend towards middle-of-the-road pragmatism; I am not a member of any political party. When not stuck in front of …
The idea for Open Sunday is to let you discuss what you like. Just two rules. Keep it civil and no man/woman playing. Brian O'NeillManaging Editor of Slugger O’Toole. I help to manage Slugger by taking care of the site as well as running our live events. My background is in business, marketing and IT. My politics tend towards middle-of-the-road pragmatism; I am not a member of any political party. When not stuck in front of a screen, I am …
