Meeting of minds
So, what was the chat at Stormont today? A busy day. Members of the Legislative Assembly, recently reconvened, were discussing the mop-up exercise after last week's floods. (£1000 for every household affected.)
They were tackling details of a new bill to reform the welfare system. They were agonising over the tragedy of a triple suicide involving students at a single Northern Ireland school.
And, among all that, a meeting of minds between a Scottish Nationalist, a fervent Unionist and an Irish Republican.
Alex Salmond was paying his first visit furth of Scotland since his election as Scottish First Minister.
He chose Northern Ireland, stressing the common links between the people in both communities.
Like Jack McConnell before him, he addressed MLAs in the senate room at Stormont - once the grandiose citadel of Unionism, now the site of revived shared, devolved power in Northern Ireland.
But things have changed since Jack McConnell spoke here in Stormont. Labour has lost its first election in Scotland for 50 years. The SNP has won its first in its history. And full devolved power has been restored in Belfast.
A curious, remarkable day. Dr Ian Paisley, the DUP First Minister of Northern Ireland, has faced some criticism from rival Unionists for being willing to work with Alex Salmond - a political leader who seeks the end of the Union.
Questioned by me, Dr Paisley said it was "arrant, damnable nonsense" to suggest that he had any illicit pact with Mr Salmond. Rather, he said, it was important for the devolved territories to work in areas of common interest.
Same aim advanced by Mr Salmond in his speech. And also by Martin Mcguinness from Sinn Fein, the Deputy FM. He told me that compromise and caution were the watchwords for now, working within the existing structures.
Of course, the longer term aim for Sinn Fein remains a united Republic of Ireland. And Mr McGuinness said he regarded the election of a Nationalist in Edinburgh as a plus.
Next for Mr Salmond, a trip to Wales. Completing the triumvirate, as Dr Paisley described it.
A potential alternative axis of power, to some extent challenging London.
Truly intriguing developments.
I'm 
Comments
Not talking about the Conservatives and their vice-chairs statement that some of their MSPs could vote for a referendum? That was far more exciting!
Intriguing indeed,
I'll admit to being taken aback by Dr Ian Paisley's endorsement of the nationalist victory in Scotland, but on further reflection, it makes sense when you think of Ulster Unionism as seeking to protect the interests of the Ulster Scots community - persecuted by the Penal Laws, enshrined in the constitution by the Union of the Crowns. In this context, Ulster Unionism and Scottish Nationalism, being for the rights of the Scottish people, make perfect bedfellows.
Of course, for Sinn Fein, the appeal is of a fellow Celtic country potentially seceding from the control of London.
So much common ground! Astonishing given the acrimony of the past.
Indeed with Wales on board - perhaps we are seeing the beginning of a new, Celtic "Arc of Prosperity"?
..And also not talking about wee Eck praising Tony Blair for his part in the peace process! Much more statesmanlike than TB or GB for that matter.
It would probably be more accurate to to describe Dr. Paisley as an "Ulster nationalist".
i agree - Salmond in NI was packed with symbolism, but there was no real substance
a leading member of Scotland's equivalent of a Unionist party suggesting support for a referendum on independence - now thats something to blog about
This is a great political move by Salmond. It will be able to apply pressure to westminister within the existing frameworks and without seeming unreasonable. GB should becoming increasingly worried and rightly so.
Well done Alex
"A potential alternative axis of power, to some extent challenging London".
Good news indeed. Keep up the good work Alex. Hopefully Scotland Wales and N.Ireland will go further and leave the UK,forming some sort of Celtic Union? The CU sounds good to me. We English are never invited to the Council of the Isles,and that suits me fine. An England independent of the other home countries.It can't happen soon enough.
This latest antic of Salmond confirms that he is nothing more than a "rabble rouser" who was in the right place at the right time - the shambles that was the Scottish election.
wee eck.s got them worried who said he was not a diplomat ?
i would not like yo play poker with him
but watch your back son /////
Strength in unity; Westminster would obviously prefer to deal with each non English group in isolation.
It will be easier for the Government to get isolated groups to accept an offer than it will be to drive three groups who have united to a consensus; the preferred Westminster watchwords are ‘divide and conquer.’
Scotland's relationship with England and Wales should be close and friendly as they are neighbours.
Scotland's relationship with Ireland, north or south should be closer still as they are kith and kin.
We have much to give the irish, they have much to give us, Alec, ian and Martin have made a good start.
Blair and Brown must be looking on with envy!
Seoras McLeoid
If I ever had any doubts I am now certain that there WILL be an English backlash. I only hope all the fence-sitters at Holyrood will be prepared to meet it head on.
We do indeed live in remarkable times! The significance of this cannot be understated - A Scottish Nationalist, Irish Republican and Ulster Unionists finding common cause. The politics of 'jaw-jaw' indeed. Scotland (especially the West) obviously has many cultural and familial links with Northern Ireland and it is quite right that we develop those our relationship. Also a very definite repost to those Scottish Unionists who said that Scotland would end up like Northern Ireland if the SNP got into power. The converse seems to be more likely!
It makes sense for there to be a coalition of the First Ministers. This will make it harder for Gordon Brown to suggest that issues he doesn't like are Holyrood/Westminster 'fights'. It really is time that England got on the devolution wagon and took some responsibility for their own situation, instead of accusing the other constituent parts of the UK of being unfair. Times are changing; time to wake up and smell the coffee.
I'm delighted. As an Ulster born Presbyterian, I have for years been voting SNP here, as I believe that an independent Scotland will not only benefit Scotland, but also reawaken the Protestant Northern Ireland community again to its true Scots heritage, instead of this British nonsense whch only came into being after the English kicked our backsides in 1798, the last time we tried to do the right thing by making common purpose with the equally repressed Irish Catholic community. Northern Ireland should be strengthening its ties to Scotland and the Irish Republic, and fair play to Alex for recognising and acting on the fact, and fair play to Big Ian for playing ball. I get the feeling Westminster is not going to know what has hit it in the next decade...!
An independent Scotland, as touted by Salmond and his ilk, would be like a South American banana republic with oil as the currency instead of bananas.
There is no mileage to be gained by cosying up to people like Paisley and McGuinness, whose past misdeeds cannot be wiped out by their current enthusiasm for cooperation.
You will find no prouder Scot than I but independence is a pipe dream. Witness the third rate politicians who infest our "Parliament" and the shameful waste of all these millions to house them. Our future is as an integral part of the United Kingdom.
Why do the Tories, Labour and the Liberal Democrats (and the Nationalists?) not want a referendum NOW on independence?
Just a note on surveying the comments above. Those in favour have simply said so. Those opposed have resorted to insult and ad hominem remarks.
I appreciate it is far too small a sample, but such negativity is often a sign of having no positive alternative.
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Talking is good no matter what the cause and Salmond is showing the way. Some people who post in this and other forums are ignorent people who cannot see the future because of their own horrible atitudes. Independence is not a done deal but common sense and decency should be.
Unity of Scots and Irish is very powerful both politically and culturally. As has been noted by others, we are kit and kin!
It's regrettable to see the same of the greetin face comments by Scots Labour and Tory Unionist on this post. Where are Tam Dayell, Brian Wilson and Michael Forsyth now? Who cares!
It is curious but encouraging to see that DUP are more progressive than Scottish Unionist’s.
What role will the Scots unionist play in this transition, spoilers and touters of begging bowls? No change, it’s in their nature!
Jamie Mac
"An independent Scotland, as touted by Salmond and his ilk, would be like a South American banana republic with oil as the currency instead of bananas."
What, like Norway? Have a laugh!
Here's an interesting speculation on the future (however unlikely).
Lets say the "celtic fringe" of the current union does get its act together politically and indeed economically. Would it then perhaps be possible that this "celtic fringe" could maintain its cohesion within the union by politically pressuring england into a rebalancing/restructuring of "the union" as a more federated entity?
That way everyone gets a lot of what they want but no gives up the whole of their aspirations either.
That way Mr Paisley and his lot dont give up being unionists but the more nationalist aspirations ( including those growing within England) are also assuaged.
Ok I said it was only idle speculation...
"Westminster would obviously prefer to deal with each non English group in isolation."
The common thread of nationalists is they see conspiracy everywhere when the reality is the English really aren't bothered. Stronger regions will help balance the London centered UK but everything can still be done within a Union.
To Joe who wrote "a leading member of Scotland's equivalent of a Unionist party"
Just to update you the N in SNP stands for Nationalist the P for Party, hence the SNP is the Scottish Nationalist Party. Therefore NOT the Unionist party. On the other hand the Conservative Party are officially the Scottish Conservatice and Unionist Party, therefore the leading member of the Scottish equivalent of a Unionist party would be Annabel Goldie the leader of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party.
Hope this helps clear up a wee bit of Scottish politics for you
Alan (18),
I think you got the wrong end of the stick. Joe was referring to a suggestion from a Conservative.
Hi Alan, (24), the "N" in "SNP" does not and never has stood for "Nationalist".
The "N" stands for "National" as in "Scottish National Party". The SNP contains many people who may or may not be Nationalists or who may or may not be Scottish but who believe in the existance of a Scottish Nation and all that means in the greater world.
It doesn't take a genius to work out that the term "Nationalist" (as used by opponents of the SNP), is intended as a subliminal slur. When the press and media regularly refer to the SNP as "Nationalists", you can usually be pretty sure that this is quite a clue to their sympathies.
Were you really unaware of the inaccuracy which you are helping to perpetuate, Alan?
It's simply common sense that the Scottish FM should seek talks with the NI Assembly. Anything that strength en's us against Westminster, must be a good thing.
Good site!