The latest LucidTalk poll gets read as unionism in decline. Look at the blocs instead: unionism’s problem is fragmentation, nationalism’s is quieter and harder, and both the DUP and Sinn Féin are both paying for a partnership that delivers nothing.
Daniel McCrossan MLA, SDLP Chairperson, writes for Slugger about an event coming up on Irish unity Politics across Britain and Ireland is changing fast, and the recent election results in Britain underline just how profound that change could become. The rise of Reform is not simply another electoral story or a temporary protest vote. It raises much bigger questions about the future direction of the UK, the growing influence of populist politics, and the kind of political culture that may …
The border poll arithmetic is simple: nationalism cannot win it alone. The votes needed sit with people who want competent government, not constitutional drama. So why, after twenty-five years in power, is there so little evidence of the former and so much of the latter?
Former Deputy Mayor and Councillor for Black Mountain has quit the SDLP. A gain for the party in a bad election in 2023 and the best prospect for a gain next year, this is a big loss for the SDLP. I have left the SDLP with immediate effect. My focus will remain on the ground in my community, representing the people of West Belfast. For clarity, I was not at the hastily arranged Belfast City Council meeting this week – …
Mick looks at Claire Hanna’s direct if deliberately modest assault on the St Andrews settlement with three targeted institutional reforms — and she has done so at precisely the moment Sinn Féin can least afford the scrutiny.
Claire Hanna is the Leader of the SDLP It’s not true to say that people in Northern Ireland can’t agree on anything because I think most of us would accept that Stormont isn’t working, and hasn’t done for some time. Whilst my ambition is ultimately to see a new Ireland in the future, I don’t believe that this can be achieved by letting this place go to ruin, and nor do I want to see that. For me and for …
Late last week, we heard that the SDLP were putting a motion before the Assembly to call for a border poll. Looking at the order paper for Monday, I see the following motion tabled by the Leader of the Opposition : That this Assembly welcomes the positive step forward represented by the UK-EU deal of 19 May 2025; affirms that any arrangement which reduces friction for businesses is welcomed; supports further alignment between the UK and EU including via a …
Belfast South MLA and Leader of the Opposition Matthew O’Toole MLA delivered the latest in a series of ‘Ulster Talks’ at Ulster University this evening. His lecture’s title was “Creating a Culture of Accountability: Lessons from a Year in Opposition” using the themes of Process, Power, Persuasion, and People … four Ps, almost Presbyterian! Matthew’s address was followed by a response by Professor Stephen Farry (now Co-director of Ulster University’s Strategic Policy Unit and Professor of Strategic Policy In Practice) and …
For the third weekend in a row, the Crowne Plaza’s ballroom was hosting a party conference. The SDLP adopted their traditional long and thin configuration – 240 seats laid out, for those who count these things – bringing back memories of the same room delivering a former new leader’s moment in the light back in 2011. There was an upbeat mood at the SDLP conference. Throughout the speeches and discussions, there was an emphasis of stepping up, stepping forward, and …
Elections are won by the party (or coalition of parties) which can attract the most support and agree a common programme. This applies whether you have a two-party state or a multi-party state. Sinn Fein have faced this in the Dail where they have been the equal-largest party, but Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael would rather set aside their historic differences and work together than form a coalition with Sinn Fein. In US politics, where the bell curve of left …
Representatives from the five main parties gathered at UTV today in the first local debate ahead of the General Election on July 4th. John Finucane for Sinn Fein, Colum Eastwood for the SDLP, Naomi Long for the Alliance Party, Robbie Butler for the UUP, and Gavin Robinson for the DUP. The debate was divided into three themes: influence at Westminster, Executive finances and a border poll. An interesting aspect of the debate was some of the participants’ different and laid-back …
David McCann and Peter Donaghy look at how the proposed new constituency boundaries could impact the next election results in Northern Ireland David McCannDavid McCann holds a PhD in North-South relations from University of Ulster. You can follow him on twitter @dmcbfs
Slugger TV – 6th October 2023 from Northern Visions NvTv on Vimeo. This month the SDLP Leader, Colum Eastwood talks to Slugger TV. David McCannDavid McCann holds a PhD in North-South relations from University of Ulster. You can follow him on twitter @dmcbfs
Slugger TV 26th May 2023 from Northern Visions NvTv on Vimeo. Slugger TV looks at LE23 with Brendan Hughes and Sarah Creighton David McCannDavid McCann holds a PhD in North-South relations from University of Ulster. You can follow him on twitter @dmcbfs
We are back! The Slugger Party Election Broadcast Review has returned to give its assessment of the party election broadcasts of the 2023 local elections. A valuable public service to election nerds and people who have devoted hours and days of effort to create these three minute wonders. A bit like the Eurovision Song Contest, high scores aren’t any indication of likely success at the ballot box. It’s a somewhat tongue-in-cheek look at the aesthetics and impact of one aspect …
The View looks at the state of nationalism ahead of #LE23 Broadcast on BBC Northern Ireland on May 4th, 2023 Listen to the full podcast here David McCannDavid McCann holds a PhD in North-South relations from University of Ulster. You can follow him on twitter @dmcbfs
Bill Breathnach is Writer and TV researcher based in Connemara. Interested in economics, politics and all things cultural… Patsy McGlone is a true Gael. The Ballinderry man is a fluent Irish speaker and with a passion for Gaelic culture. His father John played football for Derry, but it was another sporting legend from the Oak Leaf County that encouraged Patsy to enter politics. Roddy Gribbin, who played in the 1958 All-Ireland Final, was an SDLP councillor in Magherafelt during the …
Slugger TV escaped the studio again this month and ventured into the Imagine! Belfast Festival Of Ideas And Politics to chat to two local politicians who are stepping down at the upcoming local elections. Councillors Brian Heading (SDLP) and John Kyle (UUP, formerly PUP) spoke to David McCann about their careers in local government and offered insights into how parties work with one another on councils. You can catch on NvTv on the tellybox from 8pm on Saturday (Freeview channel …
We are teetering on a cliff edge of absurdity about calling an Assembly election “ nobody wants. ” From the DUP viewpoint Peter Robinson brilliantly describes the contradictions in every party’s position except his own. He might have added that it was Chris Heaton Harris and his cronies in the ERG who more than any other faction got us into this trouble in the first place by championing a Withdrawal Agreement with the Protocol attached under frankly false pretences. The …
Suzanne Breen reports in today’s Belfast Telegraph that the SDLP and Fianna Fail partnership has come to an end after three years. Breen reports; The SDLP has officially ended its three-year partnership with Fianna Fail as Colum Eastwood told members that the party must move forward “standing on its own two feet”. Mr Eastwood made the announcement to 250 delegates at an extraordinary general meeting of his party to discuss the findings of an internal review into its poor Assembly election performance. David McCannDavid …
