Dec
22
Since David Cameron became Conservative leader in 2005, he’s done a lot of backtracking. Yet one project he’s stuck with through thick and thin: breaking the Conservatives into Northern Irish politics. From employing full-time party staff to negotiating a fragile alliance with the Ulster Unionists, the party has put a lot of work into a …
Nov
24
Critics may brand The Democratic Party Unionist Party (DUP) as a ruthless amalgam of driving ambition, internecine rivalries and disposable political principle but they should also appreciate the central driving force that binds this party together and which makes it so electorally successful– the insatiable lust for power. Having spent years in the shadows of …
Feb
27
O’Neill from A Pint of Unionist Lite looks at the double-jobbing issue and notes the positive effects of single mandates – with specific reference to the DUP…
I have been (and will most probably remain) one of the DUP’s harshest critics but in the end (and for whatever reason it’s happened) the result I have highlighted in the post is one that Unionists must surely welcome – Northern Ireland’s largest party is now making its presence well and truly felt in our nation’s parliament.
Feb
23
Interesting post from The Dissenter on the nature of liberalism in Northern Ireland politics.
The Dissenter says that ‘true champions of liberalism in Northern Ireland are required’.
Agreed. And progress is being made – but will it survive the Assembly campaign?
Feb
08
O’Neill considers a recent Wikileaks story and considers the implications for Northern Ireland’s main Unionist party.
This one detailing a cable from the US Embassy in London to Washington deals with the NIO’s analysis of Ian Paisley’s resignation in 2008.
Were the Americans under the impression that HMG was running the DUP?
Feb
08
A short post covering Nigel Dodds’ recent speech where he outlined what Israel could learn from the Northern Ireland peace process.
The speech was made recently at the House of Commons to members of the Zionist Federation and the Christian Friends of Israel (amongst others). It has been reproduced in The Jerusalem Post.
The speech is direct, succinct and powerfully argued.
Jan
18
The Ulster Unionist Party has confirmed it won’t back the draft budget for Northern Ireland, which was unveiled in December and outlined £4bn in spending cuts.
“Due to the high level of unknown outcomes based on limited information and aspirational claims, the Ulster Unionist Party is unable to endorse the draft Budget proposal,” a spokesman said.
The decision has been condemned as “gross hypocrisy” by Finance Minister Sammy Wilson.
Jan
16
That header would have beggared credulity prior to May. It might even have been provocative afterwards. But since then, Harry Hamilton and Paul Bradshaw have signed up too. Whilst not a flood, it’s significant. David McClarty is no fan of Alliance, and yet the chatter continues that he may run under the APNI banner. Even if the ideological …
Jan
01
East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell has posted his New Year’s message via Facebook. He has urged caution in Unionism’s approach to Sinn Fein arguing that whilst they may have given up violence their aims remain the same: a United Ireland. He says: “Unionists now need to be clear that republicans are still wedded to the notion of trying …
Dec
02
In his speech to the party faithful on Saturday last, First Minister Peter Robinson talked about Unionism living in ‘peace time’. This phrase got me thinking for I felt that it was very relevant but needs explained further. Unionism has the habit of continually placing itself in a war-torn society; which is fair comment after …
Twitter: @openunionism