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As the Belfast marathon made its way through the streets of West Belfast it negotiated a white line picket of hundreds protesting over conditions faced by Republican prisoners in British gaols. At Sevastapol Street there was this striking shot of a PSNI armoured jeep acting barrier between the iconic image of Bobby Sands, at a closed SF HQ, and those that would take to streets on behalf of current Republican prisoners. Blank
After Sunday’s Independent Hunger Strike Commemoration a video appeared online showing the tail end of the march chanting ‘IRA’ (and for some bizarre reason a lenghty section recording photographers). There was quite a bit in advance of that person deciding to hit record: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqX3Qa_pcoI&feature=player_embedded Blank
I have no idea what the UUP expected the media to do with the following innuendo laden press release issued by an Assembly Press Officer. I will note it but for obvious reasons commenting has been turned off: IMMEDIATE RELEASE Another confused outburst from Jeffrey Responding to another confused outburst from Jeffrey Donaldson concerning a mistaken story in the Financial Times an Ulster Unionist Party Spokesperson said: “Jeffrey appears to be thoroughly confused about a whole host of matters. The …
Excluding the party group photograph in the TUV manifesto [pdf] the other photographs total seven TUV members (four images of Allister). This compares to nine images of SF members. A word count for the document gives the following: Jim Allister – 3 Paisley – 5 Martin McGuinness – 7 Robinson – 7 DUP – 23 Sinn Féin – 52 TUV – 56 Blank
In the comments on Pete’s entry covering Padraig McShane’s resignation from Sinn Féin I noted the following list (now substantially updated) of Councillors that have resigned recently (this list is confined to those that have left during the current council terms north and south – those that left in previous terms are excluded): Dessie Ward Padraig McShane Briege Meehan Domhnall O’Cobhthaigh Gerry McHugh Bernice Swift Barry Monteith Gerard Foley Michael Tallon Poilin Ui Cathain Killian Ford Christy Burke John Dwyer …
I like a bit of spinning and manipulation during an election, it’s a dirty business and most parties are up for some deceit and/or dishonesty. Though Alliance are pushing their luck a bit with the claim ‘It’s Naomi or Robinson’ in their election cartoon – the claim is supported with the essentially correct statistic that only 52 votes separated them in 2007. Though it completely masks the fact that the total DUP vote of 11,155 dwarfed Alliance’s 5,583 and even the UUP were …
The northern Ireland Commission for Catholic Education, Post Primary Review has been making a mockery of consultation across the north for months. The ‘Catholic Education For All’ consultation on South, West Belfast and Lisburn is a clear demonstration. I challenge you to find either the consultation or response form on the website with any ease. If you do come across it you will find a document that suggests two models identical in all but one element; the building of a …
We are having problems with the code tonight so the Liveblog will open in a new window. Blank
As previously noted (SF and DUP seek to restrict right of Public Assembly) proposed legislation (not approved by Justice Minister) could seriously undermine the right to Public Assembly. This theme has been picked from two very different angles. The News Letter reports, Rev Brian McClung, minister of Newtownabbey Free Presbyterian Church has serious concerns on the impact to open air religious meetings: Freedom of peaceful assembly, which our forefathers fought and died for, instead of being a fundamental right will now become …
Mick is in transit and has asked me to open a thread for you on Brown’s bigot comment Blank
It might be interesting to detail how many of our parliamentary candidates actually live in the constituency they seek to represent. Let us know if candidates are local, parachutes, former locals or now connected/living in the area. We can then compile some nice wee charts. Thats 108 names – local, ‘outsider’, connected or former local? *note – if candidates have chosen to use an alternate address on their registration form please respect that and do not give anything other than …
Sinn Féin have large generic election posters appearing across the north, they highlight what seems to be their main theme ‘leadership’. The attached image is essentially the one from the poster, it shows all their currently elected MPs and their two hopefuls – Ruane and Kelly (no O’Dowd?). Well, when I say all – strangely SF’s ‘leadership poster’ doesn’t include Pat Doherty. Blank
Anorak canvassers – this is your thread ‘This’ is a very politicised place but for those that think electoral canvasses are a bit random here’s my run down on how to do it (only 2 1/2 parties even get close) You should have a ‘marked register’ showing what every person canvassed said on the doorstep last time – a definite vote, a possible, a no chance. That old register can then be marked further against a register provided post count …
More on the consultation on Public Assemblies, Parades and Protests (not endorsed by the Justice Minster) – SF and the DUP have moved beyond reviewing legislation on parades and associated protests under the Public Processions Act and are seeking to place restrictions on all Public Assemblies/Protests. Public Assemblies are currently dealt with under the Public Order Act and only subject to restrictions: (a)it may result in serious public disorder, serious damage to property or serious disruption to the life of …
Yesterday saw the launch of the consultation on Public Assemblies, Parades and Protest, the paper published by OFMDFM was the latest step in a process agreed at Hillsborough. Despite major elements falling under the remit of the Department of Justice and Minister Ford, Slugger can reveal OFMDFM did not consult him and he has not endorsed the proposed legislation. A Department of Justice spokesperson stated to Slugger: During the drafting of this legislation the Department of Justice did not exist …
Via Niall Ó Donnghaile we have this spot the difference on a picture from the SDLP manifesto. Tidying the image or airbrushing out the truth – you decide. Blank
Just as the site moved over and then fell down yesterday news was breaking of SF withdrawing Alex Maskey from the race in South Belfast. A decision the SDLP have declared was designed to damage Alasdair McDonnell chances of re-election. Immediately after news broke that Jimmy Spratt had phoned Paula Bradshaw with an offer to gift her his assembly seat in return for her stepping aside. That offer was declined. Blank
Disruption due to volcanic ash has reached the European Parliament with changes to the agenda; debates continue mostly as normal but given travel issues for many Deputies voting has been postponed to 5/6 May. The European Commission & Council will have made statements on the volcano (online at some point today) at Tuesday’s session and have already decided to set up an Ad Hoc group addressing the economic consequences. Similar measures haven’t been put in place at Leinster House with the …
The election has potential to be surprising, any leftfield results won’t be known until the count but I’ve been considering how each party may judge a successful return. Levels of success rely not just on the number of MPs returned but comparative votes from the last Westminster election and since along with other considerations. For example SF were the largest party in terms of vote after the European election but that wasn’t the case at the last Westminster electon. Similarly …
Politics.ie has Margaret Ritchie’s speech to the Labour party conference in Galway. She rules out any link with Fianna Fail and gets very cosy with Labour. (full text below the fold) Ladies and Gentlemen – Friends I’m Margaret Ritchie – recently elected leader of the SDLP I’m delighted to be here. Many of you won’t know me, but suffice to say that, up home, I have something of a reputation for being direct and to the point – and, so …
