Another former SDLP man Austin Currie, now a senator for Fine Gael in the Republic, is furious at the re-creation by Sinn Fein of the civil rights march in 1968 to protest the suspension of elections in May. Currie was a key organiser of the original march. 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, …
Though not strictly speaking to do with Northern Ireland, Ian Jack’s experience on a Sunday paper leads him to warn the BBC against copying Sunday techniques in order to set the news agenda for each day. Update: Chris Bertram speculates on how a story might be spun around the blogoshere. 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 …
It might be said of Anthony McIntyre that he is a dissident first and a republican second. Implacably opposed to the Belfast Agreement and Sinn Fein’s role in the peace process, he is also against any return to violence. Recently he watched the American docu-comic, and fellow dissident, Michael Moore performance in West Belfast. McIntyre was not impressed with Moore’s grasp of Belfast’s political complexities: Moore gave me the clear impression that he was good on American domestic affairs but …
The silly season is clearly drawing to a close. The Taoiseach’s advisor to Senator Martin Mansergh kicks the autumn season of politics off with his (and presumable the Republic’s government’s view of the Belfast Agreement’s historical position in Ireland’s troubled history. He begins by looking at the challenge facing the militaristic aspects of former revolutionary movements intent on moving towards the mainstream. Yet the problem for militant groups, and not just for them, is that dissidence may not simply be …
The internet is clearly coming to be seen as a legitimate venue for debate amongst political players in NI. In the early summer the Guardian hosted two email debates amongst Unionists (here and here). Slugger O’Toole then played host to a cross community discussion between two leading political players in Northern Ireland, the SDLP’s former Minister of Finance Sean Farren and the DUP’s former minister for Social Development. The conversation was sparked by Dodds’ speech suggesting ground rules his party …
Alex Kane is clearly running out of patience with the endless to and froing of internal politics within his own UUP. He believes that although David Trimble will win the next vote in UUC, the winning margin will not be decisive enough for him to remain in control of what appears to be an increasing disorientated political vehicle. He advocates the party’s disaffliation from the UUC, to give Trimble the free hand he needs to lead pro-Agreement Unionism effectively. By …
Slugger O’Toole is an entirely independent website which tracks news and comment on Northern Ireland, as well as facilitating an ongoing discussion amongst a readership that reflects the political diversity of opinion, both inside and outside the province. Although we occasionally seek and receive project funding for some of our applied work, for example the research, on the future of Unionism, the website is supported entirely from the voluntary contributions of its readers. If you enjoy and value the work …
Looks like David Trimble’s first attempt to consult with party members at constituency level has back fired slightly with the party’s North Down association complaining that not all local members were invited. It’s not clear from the outside with whom responsibility for such a slip might lie – headquarters, or the constituency association itself. 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 …
It seems body language was the only thing given away after last night’s meeting of the party officers of the UUP. The meeting considered an application to convene the widest body associated with the party, the UUC, to consider the fate of the three rebel MPs – two of whom were present last night in their capacity as party officers. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and …
Fianna Fail seems determined to press ahead with its health campaign to what must seem to many to be ridiculous lengths. Health minister in the Republic, Dr Jim McDade, has announced that the carcinogenic smoke produced by incense during Mass is a potential danger to children. If anyone had previously doubted the break between the Catholic Curch and the southern government, this would seem to put it beyond question. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers …
Jude Collins is convinced that the DUP are serious about establishing contact with the other side, though his visit to Derry City’s match is less surprising than his presence at Feile an Phobail. Campbell was a committed fan before the club was ejected from the northern Irish Football Association. But Collins believes that the party has yet to demonstrate an understanding of what might be at stake in any full scale re-negotiation of the Belfast Agreement. Mick FealtyMick is founding …
UUP councillor Ken Robinson has attacked the idea that public representatives in Northern Ireland should be allowed to nominate individuals to Seanad Eireann, arguing that it is in direct contravention of the Belfast Agreement. This is an issue that created some interesting discussion here on Slugger, earlier in the summer. 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 …
Apparently, you can now email Tony Blair. According to the BBC, it was as a result of the efforts of several bloggers in England, including Tim Ireland and the UK’s first blogging MP Tom Watson. 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
For once, politics is not hitting the lunchtime headlines in Northern Ireland. A puma has escaped from a north County Antrim safari park. Apart from the obvious danger to life, the panic around this incident is partly fuelled because the area is heavily dependent on a normally thriving tourist industry. 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 …
The every perceptive Noel MacAdam takes stock of what the struggle within the UUP is all about, and asks whether the damage is already done. 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
In what is looking more like a frantic family row than the delibrations of what still remains Northern Ireland’s largest political party, the UUP’s party officers are considering a resort to legal challenge to block an attempt by the party rebels to have the UUC decide their fate rather than the party itself. 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 …
Brian Cowen is again calling for elections in the autumn time. However with the crisis in the UUP now likely to reach a resolution until September at the earliest, it is unlikely that Tony Blair would seek to reward David Trimble with what would more than likely be a death blow to his future as leader. Some commentators have privately questioned the real appetite for elections within Sinn Fein too. They are unlikely to make substantial electoral progress against their …
Tom Griffith in the Irish World has a history lesson, which he believes that Tony Blair should pay close attention to when considering whether to continue to hold the democratic ring for David Trimble’s leadership. 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
Eric Waugh reports that Oxbridge is returning to its conventional entrance exam for next year. With one in four of Northern Ireland’s A level students turning in a clean sweep of A’s, it is getting harder for Universities to decide on the suitablity of students to course simply on performance in exams. 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 …
With every minute twist and turn in the NI body politic being looked into with greater and greater expert scrutiny, the Belfast Telegraph wonders is there anybody out there still interested. It may keep the political classes off the streets, but does the electorate still care? 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 …
