So, if anyone wants to pore over the details of Tuesday’s shenanigans, the BBC have pulled together video of all the key speeches (real media). Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty
The Irish Independent sums up David Trimble’s position, and decides that the former first minister faces a lonely five weeks. Or as the Guardian sees it, Trimble ‘blows it’, by proving the UUP is “a pale imitation of the DUP”. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty
I imagine there will be a lot of bleary-eyed negotiators trying to work out what’s going on, never mind what went wrong. Just to add to Aaron’s quick round up, some measure of the pressure Trimble remains under from the British can be gained from the Sun’s extraordinarily Sinn Fein friendly editorial. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest …
The FT is having a field day on Northern Ireland as a result of what one commentator called yesterday’s ‘high farce’. John Murray Brown has several pieces: an account of the day’s events; and an assurance from officials that the election will go ahead regardless of the outcome of the current crisis talks. Though it is hard to see what can be sorted out now that could not have been settled before yesterday. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. …
In his article in the Guardian linked below, Jonathan Friedland argues that David Trimble has left everybody in the Peace Process exposed. Perhaps none moreso than himself. The longer the leader of the UUP is left in this limbo situation the more damaging it is going to be. Rosie Cowan gives the last word to the Rev William McCrea: The whole choreography is farcical. Does he [Trimble] mean to tell us that, after all his hours and hours spent with …
You may have noticed that we have introduced a poll. We’ve chosen the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, because we believe this will be one of if not the key issue of the coming election campaign. So let us know what you think! Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty
Bertie Ahern knew that lack of clarity would provide a substantial problem in advance of yesterday’s farcical events. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty
So, 26 November is to be the next day of reckoning for NI. Today has that ‘historic’ feeling that all of us are so very used to, so get ready for waves of reaction, analysis, and crucially, electioneering. Slugger will, as ever, be rounding up the best of it over the rest of the day/week/month! Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is …
Gerry Adams’ speech, detailing Sinn Fein’s committment to the process, is being seen as conservative, and not explicitly intended to appeal to Unionists – but to appease Republicans in advance of whatever the IRA is set to say. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty
David Trimble lays out what unionists expect from Sinn Fein and the IRA. Apparently Tony Blair has slightly delayed his departure for Northern Ireland after Gerry Adams made his press conference speech this morning. Perhaps the most tantalising bit is this: I want to appeal directly to those organisations which are not on cessation at this time. While calling on all armed groups to desist I want to appeal especially to organisations which present themselves as Republican. I appeal to …
On Talk Back, Donaldon’s talking that it may be another two years before the IRA can substantially de-militarising itself. Though he’s holding fire until he gets the IRA’s statement this afternoon. Sinn Fein’s Conor Murphy, is sceptical that anything will satisfy the anti-Agreement wing of the Ulster Unionist Party, and ‘the ability of people who have opposed every development to do a deal with nobody in particular’ – presumeably a jibe at the DUP. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of …
The leadership of the IRA has issued a very short statement backing Gerry Adams. It also states that they have authorised putting more weapons beyond use. One caller to Talk Back suggests it has already taken place and has taken 12 hours to complete. Ma Bear (or Stalla Marie) interprets this agreement as meaning the IRA is now a purely political organisation. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on …
Arlene Foster could well be speaking for many pro Agreement Unionists when she said in the wake of General de Chastellaine’s report on the IRA’s latest act of decommissioning: “This was supposed to be the big day but all we are left with is more ambiguity.” That’s hard to gainsay. Without further quantification of the General’s statement the IRA will give David Trimble little to sell; and may help to finally put the skids under the pro Agreement bandwagon. Mick …
Marc Mulholland has an interesting reading of Adams’ speech today; and finds it ambiguous even in it’s articulation of the Republican movement’s long term aims. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty
Well that was a day that was rather less than breathelessly billed as having the potential to be more significant than the day the Belfast Agreement was signed. No wonder national and international headlines are getting fewer and farther between. Perhaps it’s scepticism, apathy, or just a growing sentiment that Northern Ireland would better just take itself off and sort out its problems more quietly. It will be interesting to see what the pundits make of it in tomorrow’s papers. …
No news is good news, I suppose. But if there is a final agreement for elections to take place, it well happen tomorrow when Bertie and Tony are in town. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty
Republicans have welcomed David Trimble’s assertion that there can be political progress without the immediate completion of IRA decommissioning. In his party conference speech, Trimble said the most important thing was “a sense that paramilitarism is coming to an end soon”, while appealing for party unity and attacking the DUP (who didn’t think much of what he said). Even so, some say his speech could signify “the end of 1,000 years” of strife. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. …
It seem the pace of politics is about to shake itself into an open canter after a year of slow stop and start. The Irish Times, has a front page story which suggests that an acceptable formula has finally been hammered out to the satisfaction of both Sinn Fein and the Ulster Unionists. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular …
Alex Kane’s estimation of an early winter is that it will simply struggle to get anyone’s attention for a game that keeping local interest seems more problematic than retaining that of governments. By Alex Kane As non-election fever sweeps across Ulster, the loudest sound is that of the general public clapping their hands to their ears, in an effort to drown out the babble as politicians and pundits pluck numbers from thin air, and declare them to be potential polling …
Emily has been getting hot under the collar about a piece of work she had put together on Northern Ireland has been plagiarisedby some one else. Unfortunately for that someone else she’s been blogging it on Blogcritics. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty
