DUP – Page 37 – Slugger O'Toole

…but they’ll never take our EU membership?

Lee Reynolds on February 26, 2016, 3:49 pm

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The debate on the United Kingdom’s membership of the European Union has properly begun. In these early days of the debate David Cameron and Nicola Sturgeon have made an unusual partnership to try and add a Scottish question to the European one. The UUP is playing a game of public angst with the Scottish claims one of the issues they list for their dither as they frantically try to assess the direction of the wind. The ability of Northern Ireland …

“We say it’s highly improper and unorthodox, effectively OFMDFM are seeking to resist the grant of leave against the Department of Justice.”

Pete Baker on February 19, 2016, 4:55 pm

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A Belfast High Court judge has adjourned the application for a judicial review of the controversial new law criminalising the paying for sex following a last minute intervention by the Northern Ireland Attorney General on behalf of the Office of the NI First and Deputy First Ministers (OFMDFM). Interestingly, as the BBC report notes A barrister representing the [NI Department of Justice] confirmed it was not opposing Ms Lee’s application for a judicial review of the new law, on the basis that an arguable …

In 2016 are the SDLP drinking in the last chance saloon?

Irish Political Maps on February 12, 2016, 3:46 pm

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The rise of the Democratic Unionist Party over the last decade and a half has harmed the older Ulster Unionist Party. On the nationalist side, the same thing has happened, but the change has been much more pronounced. Colum Eastwood, leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party, has committed himself and his party to recapturing the heights it once enjoyed before the meteoric rise of Sinn Féin. Not afraid to make bold pronouncements, Eastwood has called the SDLP “the …

Fatal Foetal Abnormality Amendment falls 59 to 40.

David McCann on February 11, 2016, 8:38 am

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Late last night the Assembly voted down an amendment proposed by Stewart Dickson and Trevor Lunn to allow a termination in the case of fatal foetal abnormality. Here is a link so you can seek how each MLA voted on this issue, but here are some interesting votes. In terms of party leaders, Arlene Foster, Colum Eastwood and Jim Allister all voted no. Martin McGuinness, Steven Agnew, David Ford and Mike Nesbitt voted for the amendment. Only the DUP (against) and …

UUP could return to the Executive.

David McCann on February 8, 2016, 8:12 pm

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The UUP launched their alternative vision document today highlighting what they will do differently from the current DUP/Sinn Fein Executive. However, today Mike Nesbitt gave the clearest indication yet that his party could be returning to the Executive after May’s election. Nesbitt said that the if the next Executive has a progressive programme for government and the will to deliver it then the UUP could re-join the Executive. David McCannDavid McCann holds a PhD in North-South relations from University …

Belfast City Council votes for a 1.48% increase

David McCann on February 1, 2016, 8:18 pm

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Belfast City Council tonight has agreed for the first time in four years to increase district rates by 1.48%. The council has for years made efficiencies of £20 million since 2006 and has set a target of £2 million a year for until 2019. The council says that the effect on ratepayers will be small arguing that on average the increase represents; 33p per month more for a terraced house. 50p for a three bedroom semi-detached house. £1.12p for four …

The Executive goes on the road….to Arlene and Martin’s hometowns.

David McCann on January 28, 2016, 3:14 pm

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ON THE ROAD AGAIN: It was announced today that the new Executive is set to go on the road for the first time and meet outside of Belfast. First up on the Executive’s road show is Fermanagh (home of the First Minister) and Derry (home of the Deputy First Minister).
These type of things happen in the UK, where the cabinet takes trips outside of London to see the other regions of the UK, yet I am not totally sure what is really achieved by doing this.

Budget passes but two Executive parties oppose it.

David McCann on January 19, 2016, 9:11 pm

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SHOW ME THE MONEY: The Budget has passed the Assembly with a vote of 62 for, with 30 against. The DUP and Sinn Fein voted for the budget with Alliance, SDLP, UUP, TUV, Greens, Basil McCrea, John McCallister and Claire Sugden voting against.

Assembly Election 2016: Time for more Electoral Pacts?

Soapbox on January 18, 2016, 1:52 pm

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COMING TOGETHER: With Northern Ireland’s politicos getting increasingly excited about the upcoming Assembly election, talk is eventually going to turn to electoral strategy. While our PR-STV voting system offers its own avenues for attracting votes, one method completely independent of the system is the electoral pact.

DUP: Is the only way up for the party?

Irish Political Maps on January 13, 2016, 2:57 pm

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DUP PROFILE: Just 13 years ago the DUP eclipsed the UUP to become the dominant unionist party in the Northern Ireland Assembly. Now, as the May election draws near, the DUP and its new leader, Arlene Foster, are confident they will return another good performance. Given their track record in Assembly elections, it’s not hard to see why.

Full Steam Ahead, Arlene and Martin.

Soapbox on January 13, 2016, 7:00 am

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FULL STEAM AHEAD: “If you keep voting for the DUP and Sinn Fein, nothing will change.” A phrase I often hear from cynical politicos and commentators alike and a phrase I’m sure you have heard too.
Well, let’s look at what has happened under the DUP and Sinn Fein, accepting the other Executive parties’ narrative that they are not in the same executive when in reality they are.

DUP Reshuffle: Storey goes to Finance and Morrow to Social Development.

David McCann on January 12, 2016, 5:10 pm

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RESHUFFLE: Mervyn Storey goes from Social Development to Finance. Her constituency colleague, Lord Morrow joins the Executive as Social Development Minister. Simon Hamilton, Jonathan Bell, Michelle McIlveen and Emma Pengelly retain their current positions.

Foster: “Today is a new chapter in Northern Ireland’s story but when the history of this time comes to be written let it be said of all of us that we fought the good fight, we finished the race and we have kept the faith”

David McCann on January 11, 2016, 3:02 pm

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Arlene Foster spoke for the first time in the chamber as First Minister; Mr Speaker, it was with great humility, an enormous sense of responsibility and the imagination of endless potential for Northern Ireland that I affirmed the pledge of office and take up this post today. I can think of no greater honour than to have the opportunity to serve my country and the people of Northern Ireland as their First Minister. I am truly humbled by the trust …

Robinson: ‘ I hereby resign the office of First Minister with confidence that the political institutions we have together created will be here for generations to come’

David McCann on January 11, 2016, 12:19 pm

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Remarks by outgoing First Minister, Peter Robinson; I am grateful for the opportunity to make this statement. It is typical of the fairness and courtesy you have demonstrated during your time in office that you provided me with this opportunity and made all the necessary arrangements. I can assure you that I do not intend to trespass on your generosity by speaking too long. Mr Speaker, it has been a great privilege to serve the people of Northern Ireland for …

Foster: “The rebellion which took place 100 years ago this Easter was directly to attack the state to which I owe my allegiance”

David McCann on January 9, 2016, 4:36 pm

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Arlene Foster has ruled out any attendance at events commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising. Speaking to the Impartial Reporter she said; The rebellion which took place 100 years ago this Easter was directly to attack the state to which I owe my allegiance. I don’t think I would be invited, but even if I was invited I certainly would not be going to commemorate a violent attack on the United Kingdom. She continued; I don’t think they …

US President Bill Clinton: “We’ve all taken our licks for Gerry”.

Pete Baker on January 7, 2016, 4:06 pm

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The BBC’s freedom of information specialist, Martin Rosenbaum, has been reading through transcripts of calls and meetings between US President Bill Clinton and UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, between 1997 and 2000, which were released following a BBC freedom of information request to the Clinton Presidential Library. As he notes, [The transcripts] contain substantial redactions, especially of Mr Blair’s remarks… From the BBC report Much of their discussion was about the Northern Ireland peace process, in which President Clinton played a significant part. …

Why Some Councils Need to Relax over 2016 Commemorations

David McCann on January 5, 2016, 3:13 pm

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AT EASE WITH OURSELVES: Over the past number of weeks, I have been thinking a bit about 2016. How do we in a divided society remember and commemorate the centenaries of two hugely important events in our history, namely the Easter Rising and The Somme? There are some who want to pursue a course of a hierarchy of commemorations. Last night Antrim and Newtownabbey council made a decision to support £50,000 for Somme events, whilst opposing money to commemorate the Easter Rising.

Almost 30% of MLAs not seeking re-election

David McCann on December 23, 2015, 2:22 pm

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A really interesting article by Sam McBride in the News Letter today highlight the number of MLAs standing down at the next election. In his piece McBride points out; Almost 30 per cent of MLAs elected in the last Assembly election are not even standing for election next year – and the turnover in Assembly politicians could end up being as high as 40 per cent. But goes on to say; On top of that, several MLAs who stand for …

Foster says she wants a positive future for Northern Ireland & refuses to live in the past.

David McCann on December 18, 2015, 10:51 am

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SLUGGER INTERVIEW: Following her election as DUP leader, I sat down with Arlene Foster to talk with her about how she felt about becoming the party leader, how she views her relationships with Sinn Fein and the UUP and how she views herself becoming the first woman to lead the party. I began by asking Arlene how she felt about becoming the DUP leader so unexpectedly, when until just 10 days ago most of us thought it would be Nigel Dodds.

Foster’s focus on belief in a better future will require a strong dose of ‘unreasonable generosity’…

Mick Fealty on December 17, 2015, 10:50 pm

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FRESH START: An actual fresh start requires ‘unreasonable generosity’ to create the sort of cooperative action needed to get anything done in Northern Ireland. Without it the drift from the ballot box will continue apace. Ms Foster will be judged on actions. Her own. And that of her political opponents cum partners.