Unionism

Ireland’s newest political weekly, the Village, launches with big coverage of the DUP’s trip to Dublin and is decidedly more upbeat about it significance that most other publications, Irish or otherwise.”Not quite the road to Damascus but the road to Dublin is a significant journey for us”, one senior DUP source tells Suzanne Breen. There’s even a claim that the Dublin visit should be a confidence building measure for Nationalists. And later, “we’re showing we aren’t inflexible bigots. We’re deadly …

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THE Tele reveals that Daphne Trimble was not the UUP’s first choice to stand against Jefrey Donaldson in Lagan Valley – it was former RIR soldier Colonel Tim Collins, of Iraq war fame. This appears to be the second time Collins has rejected an offer to stand for the UUP. Belfast Gonzosluggerotoole.com

Noel MacAdam outlines Alex Kane’s speech in South Belfast on Monday, in which he raised the question of leadership, and how his party might draw lessons from the party’s previous difficulties. Full version of the speech follows:By Alex Kane I know that most of you will expect me to talk about the “Talks” but, to be honest, there isn’t very much point at this stage. But let me make one comment. In December 2000, I wrote an article in which …

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Well probably not. But there’s a decided change in tone from David Trimble following his most recent back room talks with his counterparts in the DUP. And for once, the secondary Ulster Unionist source is on a similar message:”In my view, there is a whole lot more convergence between the parties than there was a week ago and there is strength in that. I am not saying the different unionist parties agree on all the issues but they have common …

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David Trimble’s wife Daphne is to enter Ulster politics, by challenging Jeffrey Donaldson in his home territory. At this stage of the game at least, Jeffrey does not seem unduly worried by the prospect. 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

After being attacked by Ian Paisley on his suggestion last week that the DUP should cut out the middle men and talk directly to the IRA’s Army Council, Alex Kane argues that this is simply what successive British governments have been doing since 1972.Being taken to task by Ian Paisley is a little like being sat upon by a large jelly—it does no real harm and leaves no lasting impression. In an article in Wednesday’s News Letter, he wrote: “I …

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Alex Kane with what has to be a somewhat tongue-in-cheek suggestion that the DUP should seek to talk directly with the IRA Army Council – and insist upon a direct response to their demands for the Republican movement to recognise and adhere to the state’s monopoly of force rather than going through the Sinn Fein leadership.The prospect of Peter Robinson slow-dancing with, let alone snogging Gerry Adams, in the ballroom of Leeds Castle next week, is not one which either …

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David Brewster is a relatively recent convert to the DUP who left David Trimble’s negotiating team before the Belfast Agreement was agreed. Here he argues that the DUP has the capacity and the professionalism will conclude a deal that will satisfy the outstanding unionist concerns with the Belfast Agreement, regardless of the opinions of his former colleagues at Cunningham House.By David Brewster The speculation about the possibility of a deal involving the DUP and SF/IRA has increased in recent days, …

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