Jan
10
After my mini-rant last month on what I see as a fundamentally broken approach to UK modus operandi it seems logical to follow up on how this wrong should be righted. In fact Cameron has quite admirably sought to bring this ‘limbo’ to a decisive end with his legally binding independence vote. It’s a tactic …
Dec
13
Continuing OU’s occasional series on the various unionist youth movements in Northern Ireland, we present the Northern Ireland regional branch of Conservative Future. Northern Ireland Conservative Future (NICF) is the organisation for those under the age of 30, and those in institutions of higher/further education, who are members of the Northern Ireland Conservative Party. NICF …
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 …
Oct
15
The first in what we hope will be a series on each of the pro-union (plus Liberal Democrat, it seems) youth movements in Northern Ireland. Liberal Youth Northern Ireland is the official youth and student wing of the Northern Ireland Liberal Democrats, the local party of the Liberal Democrats in Northern Ireland. We were formed …
Oct
10
There is a widely-shared belief among many liberals in local democracy. They argue that the devolution of power away from central government towards the people can only be a good thing. The rationale goes that tax money disappearing into a central government is spent on big-banner projects to boost the self-esteem of those at the …
Sep
26
The present post-devolution constitutional arrangement of the UK is unsustainable. This is not least because it is predicated on denying the existence of England as a nation in its own right, and with its own right to self-government. Perhaps the best way to illustrate England’s present existential plight is to present in map form a …
Sep
17
The short answer is a qualified “yes” but to explain why, we must first define our terms. It is a sad truth that words often mean something different in Northern Ireland than they do elsewhere, but then clarity of thought is often the first casualty of any ideological conflict. Compare the use of the terms …
Sep
15
I want to use this opportunity to introduce readers to a new organisation, albeit the campaign aims are anything but new, which I hope you can support. I am actively involved with the setting up of a non-profit organisation called One Dynamic Nation, which once established will campaign against Scotland leaving the United Kingdom and …
Oct
24
Guest blogger St Etienne considers that an end to what he describes as ‘the immature and irresponsible behaviour’ of devolved politicians is the one cut that could command popular public support in the post-CSR period… “Both the SNP and Labour have huge opportunities to tell a story not just about standing up to London and …
Sep
09
UUP leadership candidate Tom Elliott has penned an exclusive blog post for Open Unionism outlining why he is the candidate best placed to unite the Party… By Tom Elliott MLA There are so many questions for Ulster Unionist members to get their heads around in this Leadership contest. Who has the best plan for economic …
Twitter: @openunionism