Michael Shilliday There has been some limited coverage of the results of the UUC AGM yesterday morning. This report lists 6 of the 7 Officers elected, and this one mentions the previously omitted Johnny Andrews. I do feel it worth mentioning however, that a Party not so long ago derided for being old, grey and out of touch, has in a straight election for 6 seats between 18 candidates, elected 2 young professionals under the age of 25. Congratulations to Peter Bowles …
Martin has gone off to America to persuade Irish Americans to be “elated” (according to todays IN) at the IRAs recent surrender. I understand that Gerry will be off to the European Parliament next Wedensday for an “informal question and answer” session with MEPs. Alas, rumour has it, the President and Vice President of the Commission have refused a meeting. As have the leaders of the EPP-ED, the Socalist and Liberal groups! This leaves the extreme left (which includes the …
I noticed earlier that Mr has found time in his day to be annoyed at Peter Bowles call for Sinn Fein MLA Caitriona Ruane to be interviewed by the Police over the Columbia three incident. Interesting that she isn’t the first Sinn Fein MLA to fall foul of Cllr Bowles. Michael ShillidayI used to write and get paid, now I read and don’t. Former UUP staffer, currently living in London. @mjshilliday
Ordinarily I try to avoid linking to the YU blog, but over the past couple of weeks, an interesting discussion has been taking place on this thread by former UYUC Chairman (and UUP DARD spokesman) Kenny Donaldson. He states that he is not a “GAA basher”, but wishes to see the GAA move beyond its “outdated, discriminatory practices”. Michael ShillidayI used to write and get paid, now I read and don’t. Former UUP staffer, currently living in London. @mjshilliday
A story that broke yesterday that hasnt been covered yet is that former Secretary of State Mo Mowlam is critically ill in hospital. Michael ShillidayI used to write and get paid, now I read and don’t. Former UUP staffer, currently living in London. @mjshilliday
Jim Nicholson has reacted angrily to the Irish governments plans to grant speaking rights to MP’s and MEP’s from Northern Ireland, calling the decision deplorable. The unionist community will not tolerate such an aggressive assault on our sovereignty by a jurisdiction which has been so hostile in the past. He has in this statement, ruled out taking his seat uder such plans. Michael ShillidayI used to write and get paid, now I read and don’t. Former UUP staffer, currently living …
It is being reported this afternoon that the GOC NI has announced that the Home Service Battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment are to be disbanded. Well done the DUP, clearly concessions to republicanism have stopped since they are providing leadership that’s working! UPDATE: Sir Reg Empey has issued his response. Predictably the DUP hides its embarrassment at further concessions to Republicans by trying to blame the UUP for this decision. This is lies. Let us not forget that for …
Saturdays Newsletter carried a platform piece by Sir Reg Empey in which he outlined his concerns for the future. His concern over Dail speaking rights for Northern MP’s and MEP’s is shared it seems by Andrew McCann (praise indeed). The Party has since its release been explicit in its distrust of the IRA statement. 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 has made his initial response to the IRA statement of this morning. As far as the UUP is concerned actions speak louder than words. We have seen only their words today. Since the IRA has killed thousands and injured thousands more, it is inexcusable that the statement claims that its ‘armed struggle was entirely legitimate’ but fails to express a single word of remorse. It also leaves fundamental questions unanswered. Where is the confirmation of the disbandment …
The Ulster Unionist Party’s newly appointed Chief Negotiator, Alan McFarland, delivered his speech to the MacGill Summer School last Friday, in which he made his theme confidence and trust.He not only defends the UUP line post 1998, but takes the DUP to task for their stance. The Democratic Unionist Party ran away from negotiations in 1997 and spent 6 years carping from the side-lines. They stood in the 2003 Assembly elections on a cunning plan about which they were unable …
The Newsletter (no link) reports today that Sir Reg Empey has made his second round of appointments. Following from the appointment of Danny Kennedy as Deputy Leader he has created the portfolio of Parades, and has appointed a team of four to take it on. The four who are all members of the Orange Institution and other Loyal Orders are Michael Copeland MLA, Olive Whitten, Cllr Trevor Wilson and Young Unionist Alan Barr. The report also reveals that the Party …
Empey, McFarland, McNarry. There is still some doubt over the intentions of Lord Maginnis, however he will probably pull out by the end of the week when nominations close.Empey’s press conference was well attended, and he had an interesting cross section of the Party in support. Definite supporters seemed to include Jim Nicholson, Danny Kennedy, Fred Cobain and Tom Elliot. He also had the support of a number of new Councillors such as Mark Cosgrove as well as the established …
Tonights Belfast Telegraph carries a features article on Tyrone Howe’s decision to persue a career in electoral politics. Some people might say ‘why?’; I prefer to say ‘why not?’ If I can make a difference and bring my inclusive, open-minded approach to things, it will be a positive thing to do. And I think I am in a position where I can try and be a force for good. Sports people in Northern Ireland are probably the most open-minded, progressive …
I would have loved to have had the job of proof reading the Sinn Fein manifesto, although I doubt my comments about historical revisionism and unachievable dreams would go down well. I say again, let’s go through this for the less intelligent amongst us: The Six-County statelet has been characterised since its inception by injustice, inequality, repression and conflict. (pg 13) Quite so. From the opposition of the Nationalist community to Lord Londonderry’s proposed educational reforms in the 1920’s to …
I am aware that in my 15 offerings thus far, I am yet to criticise anyone other than the DUP and Alliance. I can defend this by saying that the Sinn Fein campaign has been very quiet in these fairly early days (as Brian Feeney pointed out at Slugger goes live earlier, they always do) and the only significant event in it has been so laughable that I felt confident to rely on Mick’s impartial reporting to illustrate that. That …
I do love the DUP website. I have today been looking at their lovely cartoon section and I have a question. Anyone see any new ones? As far as I can see its just the same recycled message from 2-4 years ago! Granted they appear to have comissioned ONE new offering this time around, however the message, which I read as “we’re bad, but we think the other lot are worse”, is no different. Michael ShillidayI used to write and …
The Ulster Unionist Party has published a detailed mini manifesto on the issue of water charges and rates reform. Ulster Unionists reject the Direct Rule Administration’s proposals for rates reform. They fail to take account of the impact of rising house prices, would hurt those who are asset rich but cash poor (i.e. the elderly) and – according to the Government’s own assessment – would not create a burden shared equally across the whole community. The document also rules out …
The DUP launched its election manifesto this week, and thus far I haven’t seen any critical analysis of it. Mine goes thus:1. “Let us continue the unionist revival” – Stormont is suspended, PIRA activity continues, Direct Rule Ministers impose education cuts and the water tax: what revival? Furthermore, this sits uneasily beside Paisley’s statement at the manifesto launch that the a DUP victory would be the ‘salvation of the union’ – he can’t have it both ways. 2. “Keeping Unionism …
I was browsing the DUP website earlier and found this section and one part of it particularly caught my attention. 9: No Rates for Orange Halls In the negotiations the DUP pressed the Government to reduce the burden on Orange Halls by exempting them from Rates. The government accepted our case. In February the Government forwarded proposals for consultation. These new measures should be in force from next April. “I am delighted that the DUP has succeeded in persuading the …
Alasdair McDonnell believes that South Belfast will fall to the dark (green) side at the forthcoming General Election. The bookmakers recognise that this is a three-horse race. They also realise that unionism is deeply split and for the first time ever, a nationalist can take this seat. Alasdair knows the truth just as Michael McGimpsey does: Splitter Spratt is this election’s Jim Dixon. Michael will hold South Belfast. Any chance the SDLP had of South Belfast disappeared with their greener …
