Michael Shilliday I’ve never seen online translation like this before. Click on the flag (although not from this link unfortunatly) and the press release translates. I can see the criticism that will inevitably come in this thread, but isn’t Irish too complicated to translate automaticaly like this? Michael ShillidayI used to write and get paid, now I read and don’t. Former UUP staffer, currently living in London. @mjshilliday
A device was planted at Lisburn City Council offices today in an effort to disrupt a ceremony to grant the Freedom of the City of Lisburn to the Northern Ireland Prison Service. One wonders who the bigger “enemies of the peace process” are, those who planted the device or the prison officers who were being honoured for years of service to law and order in the face of terrorist threat. Michael ShillidayI used to write and get paid, now I …
Chris has rightly pointed out the 25th Anniversary of what Intelligence Insider has described as Bobby Sands’ suicide. The other side of this story though are those who are at this time challenging the republican narrative of the hunger strikes. Whilst republicans use their British rights of expression and free speech to celebrate the deaths of ten prisoners, we should not forget that they were not incarcerated for their political beliefs but murder, conspiracy to murder and other such crimes. …
Just heard on Radio 5 Live news that Peter Hain has been named in Parliament as the Government member who offered Peter Law a peerage if he did not stand last May. More later no doubt. UPDATE BBC coverage here ,UTV here, ITV here, PA here. As with so much in politics, I’m not alltogether sure that it matters if this is true or not. David Trimble commented on Sunday that Northern Ireland & Wales is probably Hain’s last Cabinet …
Probably worth noting that as we speculate on the chances of devolved government in Northern Ireland, most European countries are having problems with their executive branch.In Italy, Silvio Berlusconi has resigned as Prime Minister, but is still reported to hold lingering arguments for going on, based on his Party increasing its share of the vote, and his claim that his coalition “won the consensus” in the recent election. In France Dominique de Villepin, having been accused of a smear campaign …
The UUP webmaster muttered something about translation at me last Friday, to be honest I probably wasn’t listening to him very hard (sorry Dave). I looked at the website this morning, and I found out what he was doing. To be honest I have no idea what the Arabic, Bengali or Chinese welcome pages say, but I think it fair to assume that it is a synopsis of what Unionism and the Ulster Unionist Party stand for. Michael ShillidayI used …
UUP Larne Borough Councillor Mark Dunn had an platform piece published in today’s Newsletter in which he challanges the percievied ideological supremacy the Republican movement purveys over the hunger strikes. Unionism should be willing not only support and represent the innocent victims of the troubles, but also challenge the majority voice of nationalism’s tailored story glorifying a sustained sectarian murder campaign to a relatively unscarred generation of young people. One truth that escapes Sinn Fein Youth’s story to young nationalists …
A poll commissioned by ITN has shown a clear majority in favour of Queen Elizabeth II remaining on the throne until her death, and just 13% support for a British republic. Support for the Prince of Wales becoming Monarch appears to be lower than that for his eldest son. Michael ShillidayI used to write and get paid, now I read and don’t. Former UUP staffer, currently living in London. @mjshilliday
The UUP’s continuing efforts to broaden the appeal of the Union and the Party continue with a reaction to an Electoral Commission report on the participation of ethnic minorities. Michael ShillidayI used to write and get paid, now I read and don’t. Former UUP staffer, currently living in London. @mjshilliday
Sir Reg Empey gave his first address as Party Leader to the Ulster Unionist Council on Saturday at the Stormont Hotel. In it he sets out his opposition to “cabals running the show” and announces what appears to be a more formal contempoary to Harry West’s West Ulster Unionist Council (third entry). Of the Party officers elected Lord Rogan stood down as President and was succeeded by former Mayor of Coleraine John White. The Panel of six was filled by …
The Newsletter are covering the answer given to a written question by Lord Kilclooney over British representation at the commeration of the 1916 rebellion against British rule. Michael ShillidayI used to write and get paid, now I read and don’t. Former UUP staffer, currently living in London. @mjshilliday
The BBC are reporting that Sir Reg Empey will nominate three UUP MLAs to sit on the Policing Board and not two as Peter Hain asked him to nominate. This is clearly an indication that he views the results of the 2003 Assembly Election as the legitimate point from which to run d’Hondt, and not the DUP’s high water mark as is being reported to be the case. Michael ShillidayI used to write and get paid, now I read and …
Seeing as Mick was described my contributions as “regular“, I suppose I should at least attempt to make his comments close to accurate (it is a sign of the decline of my enjoyment of student life that I am now in need of a pocket diary)! The UUP’s regular talks report today was published at midday and covers yesterdays talks. Probably the most contemporary of the issues covered is what DUP Assembly Party strength will be measured at. No doubt …
Andrew McCann’s talking points have caused me some discomfort in the past, but today’s must cause some difficulty for those who would wish to challenge it. It’s certainly one for the normal nationalist parties to ponder on considering the planned celebration of the Easter rebellion this year. Michael ShillidayI used to write and get paid, now I read and don’t. Former UUP staffer, currently living in London. @mjshilliday
I don’t like linking to things I’ve written in another place, so thanks to Andrew McCann for providing an intermediary link! I believe that this year is the first time that Sinn Fein have published the agenda for their conference, which is either a move away from the secrecy one must keep whilst in the shadows, or a good piece of politics. It may not do their leadership any harm to be able to show the SOS something close to …
Every time there are talks held in Northern Ireland, there are claims of side deals done in secret. The UUP have now started to publish a summary of the talks process on their website at noon every day talks are held. Michael ShillidayI used to write and get paid, now I read and don’t. Former UUP staffer, currently living in London. @mjshilliday
Sinn Fein’s policing conference was I’m sure as exciting affair. I was most disappointed that the speakers Gerry spoke of wern’t listed, as I’m sure it would make interesting reading. For example, at the UUP Policing Seminar last year, Pauline McCabe was the guest speaker, and at the Young Unionist AGM on Thursday the Chief Constable is due to speak. He will be challanged on several issues I am sure, just as Ms McCabe was – that is how to …
Title quote from today’s Newsletter. From yesterday’s Hansard In the Hillsborough negotiations, different parties again found themselves talking to the Government about different issues. There was to be a joint declaration at the conclusion of those talks, and it was originally to have five annexes. One of those annexes was to deal with the subject of OTRs. Another dealt with the establishment of the IMC and a menu of sanctions demanded by the UUP. The UUP was very clear that …
The Newsletter reported this morning (no link) that the UUP has re-established a society at QUB following a four year absence. Michael ShillidayI used to write and get paid, now I read and don’t. Former UUP staffer, currently living in London. @mjshilliday
UTV carries the only substantial coverage of Tim Collins’ contribution to the panel debate on the Royal Irish Regiment yesterday. He argues that the best way forward is to lobby for a second Battalion of the TA Royal Irish Rangers, and to seek a package for soldiers that reflects “not only the long and distinguished service they have given, but also the sacrifice given since their formation in 1970”.Whilst speaking as an invited guest and not being a party member, …
