We’ve finally managed to track down that SDLP dossier that was temporarily unvailable earlier in the week. 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
Francie Molloy is fast off the mark to counter Peter Robinson’s suggestion yesterday that tax varying powers will necessarily be detrimental to restarting the Northern Ireland economy. Molloy argues that the problems of social exclusion require direct government intervention: The executive needs the power to target resources and investment to those areas and people most disadvantaged. There is inequality and poverty in our society, and both must be eradicated if we are to build on the promise of the peace …
Yes, it’s well off topic, but two of my colleagues, David Steven (co-author of A Long Peace?) and Mark Weston have just published a report which focuses on the outputs from BBC log website during the Iraq conflict, to see whether allegations of bias have any genuine basis. It’s part of the evidence being considered by the Hutton inquiry. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the …
Peter Kelly and Tom Griffin at the Irish World have nabbed an early interview with the new MP of Brent East, Sarah Teather, in which she promises to take up the McBride case: I agree with the McBrides entirely. It is outrageous that the two Scots Guards remain in the Army. I will raise the matter in Westminster, and will be keeping in close touch with Kelly McBride. And her party’s Northern Ireland spokesman, Lembit Opik added: I hope that …
Steven King met with the DUP at close quarters recently, and believes he sees some important changes in that party’s approache. Not least it’s flexiblity in meeting issues of the future: What is remarkable about the DUP’s principles is how un-DUP they are. What happened to bold, categorical, unequivocal assurances? Notice that the DUP’s principles do not include, for instance, total decommissioning by the IRA before Sinn Fein could hold Ministries. Or only the same kind of relationship between Northern …
If you want to follow some of the more intricate twists and turns in political discussion you might consider taking a subscription to Fortnight magazine. For over thirty years it has provided a forum for political discussion between parties where no other existed. This month’s issue has contributions from Alex Kane, Alban Maguinness, and this extended piece by Professor Liam Kennedy. Whatever happened to the SDLP? By Liam Kennedy The only reason for insisting on the disarming and disbanding of …
Catholic membership of the PSNI has risen from 8% to 13.3% of the total of the force, since the announcement of the Patten reforms over four years ago. However the 50/50 recruitment rule is still causing disquiet amongst Northern Ireland’s majority protestant population. 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. …
It seems as if senior members of Sinn Fein have been firefighting an apparent breach in the ranks of the IRA in Co Tyrone, over threats issued to nationalist members of the local Distrrict Policing Partnership in Co Tyrone. Although the party has denied any truth to the allegation, suggesting it is merely a tactic to embarass them at a time of delicate negotiations, Gerry Moriarty remains convinced his source is reliable. Update: Ma Bear has blogged her response to …
Will the equinox and the notable change of season in Belfast today, also herald a change in Northern Irish politics? The positive, if understated mood music continues as Paul Murphy resumes a new round of talks aimed at trying to get things moving again. November 13th is now being talked about as a possible date for elections. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media …
Alex Kane puts the case for postponment of elections having thus far preserved what has been good about the Belfast Agreement, and suggests the democratic deficit consists of those who are not yet prepared to work the Agreement in full. It’s an interesting argument perhaps mostly because it has rarely been publicly made over the last six months or so. By Alex. Kane The reason why so many unionists have lost faith in the Belfast Agreement is because it hasn�t …
The Real IRA seems to be upping the stakes over its campaign of intimidation against members of the District Policing Partnerships, with a vehment attack on the Catholic vice chair of the overall Policing Board Dennis Bradley. 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
This article appeared in last Thursday’s paper version of the Irish News, but for some reason did not make it to the paper’s internet site. It’s author Newton Emerson is noted for his satirical work on the Portadown News and in local television. Last week however, Newt wasn’t joking when he went for the reaction of Unionist councillor to the protests against a religious ceremony at Carnmoney Cemetary. UUP digging its own grave, by Newton Emerson No party thinks less …
DUP Councillor Robin Stirling has been running his own assessment of whether or not the BBC is biased towards Nationalism, or not. Although certainly as reported, he seems not to have been able to gather conclusive figures one way or the other. 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: …
Carrie Twomey on her experience of living in an area where punishment beatings and shootings remain the primary way of administering justice. Her husband Anthony McInyre is quoted in the Sunday Times on the more overtly political aspect of this. 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
Unsurprisingly the vehemently anti-Sinn Fein Sunday Independent, uses its editorial slot to tell Sinn Fein it must recognise the PSNI. But some measure of the complications the party faces can be read in the defiant rebuttal from the Real IRA of appeals to withdraw threats towards Catholics serving on the District Policing Partnerships. The IRA now faces a difficult, perhaps mulitple, dilemma. Should it remove the dissident IRA faction with comprehensive physical force? Or should it move constitutionally onside and …
According to Henry McDonald, the IRA leadership may be considering the issuing of a definative statement that the war is over, but there appears to be some residual resistence to such a statement, particularly in Tyrone and Armagh. Though as his Dublin contacts confirm, this is where things were last April when negotiations last broke down. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and …
Belfast Gonzo is getting into his stride as a fully fledged blogger pundit, of the Instapundit/Andrew Sullivan type. This week he has fisked a news report in the Irish News which he claims falsely cooks up the degree of outside concern over the declining confidence in the Human Rights commission. 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 …
Mark Devenport examines some of the practical considerations around the dates for a possible election. It looks like it is going to be a tight fit to get it in before Christmas. And if it does go ahead, it will be cold, dark campaign for all party activists. 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 …
Steven King claims that the reality on the ground is that people are rather more muted in their view of the absence of democratic institutions. He wades in with a very heavy hint that we may be looking at elections next June, to coincide with European elections. Though it is not clear if it really is a hint, or simply flying a kite for other parties. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts …
And, presumably now basking in the glorious spendour of finally having broken into the media mainstream, our very own David Vance has his spake, on the BBC’s flagship current affairs programme Hearts and Minds! If you have a broadband connection, the programme gives a good flavour of the nature of politics in NI. And you can see David in the flesh, so to speak. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the …
