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Unbelievable, Mark. Have you missed a drugs angle to this 'drugs, sex and rock'n'roll' yarn? :L

Our main Unionist and Nationalist parties are broad 'churches' with conservative, socialist and liberal tendencies, not to mention the occasional whiff of gunsmoke. UCUNF was self-evidently a non-runner.

Let's not forget that our politicians are multifaceted: they carry political, religious, educational, cultural and other baggage - some of it lightly. I don't know much about Methodism but the Catholic and Episcopalian churches concentrate a lot of power in head office unlike the main Presbyterian one. Anyone familiar with Presbyterianism will recognise its proneness to schism. Primus inter pares - first amongst equals - and, well, anyone can think they're a primus. Perhaps there are too many Presbyterians in the UUP. They can be very good at keeping the primus lit. :L

The various yarns incorporate lobbyists and special advisers. Perhaps their roles in our governance process have not got the in-depth scrutiny they deserve. Their influence on a Minister could easily outweigh that of Permanent Secretaries and part members alike. Just think of the potential power of a Minister and SpAd acting in tandem up in one of those little fiefdoms in Stormont.

Sinn Fein must be quietly relieved that the UUP is attracting such media attention. Having recently deselected one of their representatives on Moyle District Council I'm told that they're currently on their third replacement candidate. SF had previously suspended and later dismissed another of their representatives on the same council.

In every happy family there are spats from time to time but they are still a happy family. The UUP are still the Party that has done most for bringing N.Ireland forward,not engaging in the "spin" that other parties do in selling the half truths that are quickly discarded after elections. The last four years including the 150odd days where S/Fein pulled Robinson and the DUP into line have been a lost opportunity in getting real politics moving for the people of N.Ireland. The failures in education, environment, millions wasted on the Maze millions wasted on RPA ,its endless and highlights that the electorate should .finally realise that the paties such as the UUP have the integrity and honesty to achieve politics that are craved for then we will move on.

The Ulster Unionists have a long history of tension, going right back to tension between Carson and Craig. It isn't new. It's just covered more by the media now than ever before as communication has advanced.
Tom Elliott strikes me as a man of integrity and passion. If anyone can unite the party it should be someone with these qualities.

UnionistEagle

The Ulster Unionists have a long history of not giving money to Derry, going right back to decision in in the '60s to locate the University of Ulster in Coleraine for example. It isn't new! It's just covered more by the media now than ever before as communication has advanced.

Tom Elliott strikes me as a man of Orange politics, who has no control over his party. No one it seems can unite the party; definitely not someone with these qualities.

The decision by the Ulster Unionist Party not to build the cancer care unit at Altnagelvin, is an attack on the entire population of the North and Northwest region of Ulster. We are very lucky that we have Martin McGuinness at the helm of the highest office in the Assembly. This unit will go ahead. The Ulster Unionist party will continue to go backwards. Republicans are now top of the pops, and the Ulster Unionist Party can no longer gerrymander our representatives out of public office!!!

harryatport

"the electorate should .finally realise that the paties such as the UUP have the integrity and honesty to achieve politics that are craved for then we will move on

Martin McGuinness has delivered more for the entire population of this state in the last four years, than any other politician in the entire history of partitioned Ireland. He has united most of the political parties, and has driven them to conclude the mandate of the Assembly. The UUP ruled this state with abhorrent disregard for people of certain creed and class. That should never be forgotten; that is why the UUPs representation has and continues to dwindle. The row yesterday by senior party members, live on the radio, highlights the reason why this has happened. They are involved in a struggle between moderates such as John McCallister and Basil McCrea, and dinosaurs such as . The electorate will settle this argument come May; and how we shall all stand up and laugh at the Ulster Unionist Party!!!

Ahhaha!!!

@@

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

MODs and DiD, there seems to be a problem on the "Purdah" thread so I'll also leave this short post here:

I've only had time for a brief glance at recent departmental press releases. Something odd happened on the OFMDFM page yesterday. A press release which was dated 25 March 2011 was there in the afternoon but before nightfall it was gone. It was a link to the imminent arrival of British Summer Time.

Did someone complain? Don't our public servants know that during our present constitutional dispensation it's British, Irish and Others Summer Time? I should imagine that the Others won't be too upset about losing an hour's sleep over such a contentious issue :L

Mark, you've referred to the consultation paper on Corporation Tax. There's a 13 week consultation period yet for at least 6 weeks Stormont is in purdah and the politically active will be focussing on the elections. The NI Affairs Committee hasn't even completed its report and the British-Irish Council probably hasn't had an input. Scotland probably isn't the only region that is likely to raise a ruction and the EU evidence to the NIAC looks quite negative. Perhaps the UUP, in light of its recent difficulties, should reflect on how its apparent endorsement/enthusiasm will go down in other parts of the UK.

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

Mark

LESSON LEARNT

On foot of posts 7 & 10

Don’t mention the words: Bloody, Hypocrisy, Mayhem, McGuinness & Protestant in a contribution to the DD.

Susie
Carryduff

Mark

On the iPlayer there seems to be no sound on your 'Inside Politics' show???

Not aloud to comment and no sound on I player disgusted? I blame the securocrats! lol They wouldn,t be censoring republicanism again would they?

Anyway the message will get through loud and clear once the votes have been counted....


Eyes wide open ,,,,onward to victory

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

@Susie (11)

All the danger words sound like cocktail ingredients.

Mark,

If I could be bothered, I'd fish through the DDs for the many "train-wreck in slow motion" descriptions I'd associated with the UU after their failure to elect Basil McCrea. The irony is, I don't even like the man in any case.

I can't wait for this election. I haven't been this excited since the whole Iris Robinson thing.

Love, PieMan