Jude Collins believes that Nationalists should stay firmly out of the current dispute within the UUP and be prepared to deal with whichever faction comes out on top. 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 the lee of the quietest twelth for some years, Gerry Adams seems to be going on a charm offensive to mend some of the broken fences of the last few years. HIs colleague Gerry Kelly took a less conciliatory line over the BBC’s coverage of the Twelth 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 …
Whatever the economic faults of Northern Ireland, it’s citizens appear to be enjoying a prolonged period of stability and security. The unemployment figures continued to drop to 5.3pc. Though undoubtedly good news in the short term, it is hard to judge whether such stability will be benefical to the economy in the longer run. 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 …
Eric Waugh, thinks that the current crisis within Unionism, will only be settled if the British government espouse a government system with a built in opposition, along the lines suggested in the Cadogan paper: Picking up the Pieces. 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
Alex Kane this week notes what looks like the increasing isolation of David Trimble within the Unionist party, but suggests that the rising problem for Unionism in general is how the anti-Agreement faction will manage the journey towards some from of Agreement with Nationalist Northern Ireland. By Alex Kane The loudest noise in the political undergrowth this week was the sound of Ulster Unionist knees knocking as news filtered through the grapevine that David Trimble had lost the High Court …
An Irish film, starring Cate Blanchet, which depicts the life of investigative journalist Veronica Guerin has hit number four in the UK and Ireland film charts, despite the fact that it still remains to be shown in the larger UK market. 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 DUP’s North Belfast MP criticised the Human Rights commission for taking a “left-wing pressure group”, and the Westminster Joint Committee on Human Rights recommended the Commission increased powers to search premises.. 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 Fabians have just released a new report on the future of the British monarchy, proof perhaps that Northern Ireland is not the only subject of change in these islands. Though the authors recognise that many of their proposals will be seen as politically too hot to handle to have any reasonable chance of being acted upon. Labour MP blogger Tom Watson summarises the report. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of …
Maria Farrell at Crooked Timber in answer to a question posed here several times over the past year or so reckons we may see the first poltician blogger arise from the ranks of Sinn Fein. There may be some mileage in using Lib Dem MP Richard Allen’s idea of Irish bloggers Adopting an MP or TD. The band of Irish political bloggers remains incrediably small, but the idea may find its legs as the medium matures. Let us know what …
For those of you unfamiliar with the sport, Hurling is, to use an old fashioned, very un-PC term, a man’s sport. I knew a woman whose three brothers played for Ulster Railway Cup sides, all of whom had to have several major round of orthopaedic surgery to the face, by the time their playing careers were complete. Now a survey conducted at hospitals in Waterford and Cork, has recommended (subs needed) the wearing of protective headgear be made mandatory. One …
Apparently the arrest of journalist Sean O’Muireagain of the Anderstown News was based on the premise that he was a Real IRA bomb expert of the same name. 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 Grand Committee Room in Westminster was bunged to the gills last night for the Vox Politics seminar on the political uses of blogging. It was less of a seminar than a public debate. Technology? Actually the technology doesn�t matter. Leading Journalist blogger Stephen Pollard bought his domain name and had it for a year before he did anything with it. Even Tom Watson, the UK�s first blogging MP said it was some time before he got it � it�s …
One more quick note on the subject of political blogging. Left of centre blogger Harry Hatchet has a piece on how he got started in today’s Guardian. The idea of have more than one writer is something we have experimented with fitfully here at Slugger, but will be developing more seriously over the summer. Stay tuned! Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and …
Kevin Connelly reports on what he sees as a significant change in attitude on the ground this summer, which he believes may hint at moves to find a permenent political settlement in the autumn. 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 BBC’s Panorama programme on Saturday night seems to have blown up re-newed controversy around the Scappatici affair. The Guardian’s Rosie Cowan seems to have little doubt over the story’s veracity. 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
There was much speculation in the wake of the UUP’s decision to continue action against the three rebels. Conor Cruise O’Brien, who has never hidden his hostility to Belfast Agreement, was more sanguine than most believing that the party’s internal troubles may be a prelude to a larger more broadly based Unionist party. 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 …
Despite Reg Empey’s claims that his abstention in Friday’s party officers’ meeting marked no major change in his loyalty to his leader, Mark Devenport speculates that Trimble’s long time ally might be the answer to the UUP’s current troubles. 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
There’s a seminar on the use of blogs in politics, with the emphasis on politicians using the medium to communicate with the public. Westminster’s Two blogging MPs Tom Watson and Richard Allen will be there too. Gary Hart is one notable US politician who has made some headway with his own blog, but so far the Irish political class appears to be slow in taking up the habit! Slugger will report on the Westminster event tomorrow. Mick FealtyMick is founding …
Scottish correpondent at The Guardian Audrey Gillan, travelled from Glasgow to Belfast with a group of bandsmen and Orangemen with the anticipation of today’s Orange celebration building. 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
It’s one of those small insignificant family stories that lingered with us through most of the Troubles, that my mother and younger sister travelled on the very last bus tour of Belfast in 1969. It was a generation before they were to return. Now it seems they are back in action and doing great business. 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 …
