United Kingdom

Our task is to persuade people across our country that it continues to be the right path for Northern Ireland to remain within the UK.

Philip Smith on December 21, 2020, 10:13 am | Readers 3780

Today sees the launch of a new campaign called UNITING UK. Our aim is to grow support for Northern Ireland’s continued position as part of the United Kingdom. We will do this by promoting the many benefits of being part of the family of UK nations. We are not a political party and welcome support from all who share our values and goals. Our focus is on people who feel left behind by traditional unionism such as young people, liberals …

PM Tess and Good Queen Bess

Gerry Lynch on January 8, 2018, 8:55 pm | Readers 2008

Theresa May has made much of being a vicar’s daughter in seeking to build her image. Less remarked on is that she is from a particular sub-tradition within the Church of England, and so deeply formed by it that its particular take on English history will shape how she sees the UK’s relationship with mainland Europe. In thinking about Brexit, she must inevitably perceive echoes of the last time England was so bitterly riven about its identity and destiny, in …

Thoughts on the Monarchy

Turgon on June 5, 2012, 4:24 pm | Readers 152

For a unionist to admit to being less than a wholehearted monarchist is often difficult, especially so during the 60th jubilee. Alex Kane, a unionist and open republican, has a very good analysis during which he almost becomes a pragmatic monarchist. It is worth reading in totality but his main argument centres around the stability the monarchy under the present Queen has helped provide. I have mentioned before that not all unionists are wholly supportive of the monarchy. Personally I …

Not Charles for King, says Hastings

Brian Walker on December 18, 2010, 8:14 am | Readers 8

Entertainment for a snowed-in day. Max Hastings, veteran journalist and military historian and mildly maverick Establishment member, urges that the monarchy should pass over Charles and land on Wills, if the heir doesn’t die before the Queen. This won’t happen of course as heredity is an iron principle unless the occupant is actually certifiable and without it the monarchy crumbles (don’t all chorus). Hastings is the sort of opinion former, a man with toff tastes and military knowledge whom the Establishment might …

Irish Government Reaction to UK Budget

Pete Baker on June 22, 2010, 7:12 pm | Readers 0

The Irish Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O’Keeffe, has made a couple of comments in response to the UK Budget announcement. From the iol report The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation Batt O’Keeffe has said he is confident Ireland will not suffer from a reduction in the UK’s corporation tax. The rate is to be cut by 1% next year from 28% – and by a further 1% each year afterwards until its falls to 24%. However, …

“I had to put a lot of pressure on Tony Blair…”

Pete Baker on June 14, 2010, 11:27 pm | Readers 3

On the eve of the publication of the Saville Inquiry report, The Guardian‘s Henry McDonald reports former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern’s claim of responsibility… Ahern said its impact on the peace process had been critical. “It was immensely important because at that time we were trying to build confidence and help the people of Derry, who had been dealing with this for years,” Ahern said. “I had to put a lot of pressure on Tony Blair. All the advice he was …

The Conservative link and the geopolitics of the United Kingdom

Geoff Sloan on May 4, 2010, 1:40 pm | Readers 115

As voters from Lerwick to Penzance prepare to cast their votes on the 6th May they will be afforded the right to do two things that are central to any real democracy. First they will be able to elect a new Parliament from which a new government will be formed to represent them. Secondly, they will pass judgement on the government that has been running the country for the last five years. Yet there is one part of the United …