Michael Shilliday During my time at the University of Ulster, I came into contact several times with the Campus Provost, Bill Clarke. I found him a gracious, fair and thoroughly decent man, who could always be relied upon to come to a reasonable conclusion in any situation. Both the Irish News and Belfast Telegraph are reporting that he tragically passed away yesterday, after collapsing at a graduation event at the Police training college. I know he will be greatly missed by many. …
A couple of days ago I was presented with a copy of the Gown by a fairly outraged student, and I have to say that I wasn’t all that impressed by their attitude to a Queen’s student, no matter what he did or did not do, being found dead. Chekov isn’t impressed either. Michael ShillidayI used to write and get paid, now I read and don’t. Former UUP staffer, currently living in London. @mjshilliday
About 100 MPs yesterday put on record their family members paid from Parliamentary allowances. The number of Robinsons on the list is attracting national attention. Peter Robinson, and his wife Iris, who is also an MP, have turned politics into a real family business Michael ShillidayI used to write and get paid, now I read and don’t. Former UUP staffer, currently living in London. @mjshilliday
The DUP MLA for Foyle has commented on a Policing matter. Here is what the Assembly website says about the Speaker: Members must be confident of the impartiality of the Speaker and this is achieved through the operation of a number of conventions. On appointment, the Speaker relinquishes all connections with his Party. He does not participate or vote in any debates in the Assembly, he does not become involved in party politics, nor does he comment on Northern Ireland …
The only detail I’ve seen on Gordon’s u-turn is provided by Guido. If this is the extent of the concessions, then the only actual losers that I can think of are students. Like me. Thanks Gordon. Michael ShillidayI used to write and get paid, now I read and don’t. Former UUP staffer, currently living in London. @mjshilliday
Young Fine Gael have a history of…..interesting referendum campaign posters. Myself, I prefer the humble Devil’s adaptations. Michael ShillidayI used to write and get paid, now I read and don’t. Former UUP staffer, currently living in London. @mjshilliday
Returning to that hidden paragraph, Jim Allister’s office have been kind enough to pass me their correspondance with the NIO over this. Jim’s letter requesting an internal review is below the fold, the NIOs refusal letter is here (PDF). What now interests me is this section of Jim’s analysis: I note you have disclosed only letters largely common to both the DUP and Sinn Fein, thus driving me to the conclusion that there exist letters unique and specific to the …
I’ve always found discussions on the validity of religious belief fascinating, and am drawn to those discussions, despite my own views on the basic argument being fairly polarized in relation to those I enjoy hearing. I had a coffee with Malachi O’Doherty last week, and towards the end of the conversation, it turned to religion. He outlined to me why he feels that the story of Adam and Eve is the antithesis of education and progression, and I, much less …
Sorry, I mean the Bill of Rights Forum final report. Newton Emerson has his look at the potential move from “we the people” to “we the judiciary” Northern Ireland faces. Michael ShillidayI used to write and get paid, now I read and don’t. Former UUP staffer, currently living in London. @mjshilliday
Alan in Belfast has already picked up on the Northern Ireland confidential blog. I love the latest post – we’re just so much more civilized here! Michael ShillidayI used to write and get paid, now I read and don’t. Former UUP staffer, currently living in London. @mjshilliday
Our Kingdom blog reports that the UK may be moving to the Alternative Vote for Westminster elections. The more observant amongst you will notice this is STV for a single seat, which we used in Northern Ireland quite recently. If it had have been used at the last Westminster election, theres a fair chance David Burnside and perhaps even David Trimble would have held their seats. It would also probably make Fermanagh and South Tyrone impossible for a Unionist to …
I have my reply. You’ll be as shocked as I am that they refused. Some extracts are below the fold as it’s not on line yet (quite right too). But I have some observations. First, section 36(2)(a)(ii) probably isn’t a valid excuse to withhold the information. That refers to the work of the Executive, Policing and Justice (and I am still on the assumption that this is what is being withheld) is not the work of the Executive, it is …
Interesting letter in the Sunday Times (pg 18 and here) which reads: QUESTION OF FAITH: Can Catholics, in good faith, pledge allegiance to a Protestant monarch? I can’t see Pope Benedict sitting still for this one. It’s certainly another angle to an already contentious issue. Michael ShillidayI used to write and get paid, now I read and don’t. Former UUP staffer, currently living in London. @mjshilliday
Our Kingdom has a thoughtful piece on the historical evidence of Westminster deals, that the DUP appears to be banking on breaking. Also interesting analysis on why the DUP, on their own terms, don’t need to do it: If (Peter) Robinson is to be believed, there is little reason for such a fateful deal, because his party already has an effective veto over devolution(of policing and justice) Michael ShillidayI used to write and get paid, now I read and don’t. …
I’ve blogged before on the DUP reshuffle when Paisley shuffles off. But I have a question for Slugger readers – will Sinn Fein take the opportunity to do likewise? Is the end of Paisley also the end of Ruane? Michael ShillidayI used to write and get paid, now I read and don’t. Former UUP staffer, currently living in London. @mjshilliday
Mick has already dealt with the Goldsmith report in detail. I just want to highlight that Ciaran’s post on the matter really is worth a read. Also, O’Neill’s perspective is interesting.. 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 in his speech to East Antrim Association has ruled out going into opposition. On Inside Politics this morning he stated that there will be no “conquest” of the UUP by the DUP Paisley or no Paisley, and revealed that there has been no further correspondence from the DUP on an electoral pact after 6 months, leading him to call it a stunt on their part. But there is no provision for a formal and funded Opposition in …
As far as I recall, public bodies aren’t required to publish FOI disclosures, but it’s quite good practice to do so. The NIO do (or at least seem to – the list is remarkably spartan) and it makes interesting reading. In particular the most recent disclosure has some interesting information in it. You will notice in the letter, care is taken to remove details of both the questioner and the Civil Servant who is responding. Not so much care is …
Iain Dale is running a survey to see how readers rate various politicians. O’Neill is canvassing a bit. I’ve done a short one for Slugger, with a couple of questions to see what the reader profile of this blog is, and a similar rating survey on about 50 of our local representatives. Try to answer honestly and not based on your party political preferences – that way we might end up with something useful! UPDATE – as I haven’t forked …
The Dromore results have been out for a while, but now that the dust has settled a bit, there are some points from the transfers.1) The UUP picked up more transfers than the other Unionists at every stage, and more than anyone after the first round. 2) Following the trend from the Assembly election in Lagan Valley, a lot of SDLP transfers went to the Alliance and not SF. 3) The total number of non transferable votes when SF dropped …
