A tale of two photocalls
I strolled down the Stormont steps this morning flanked by two contrasting photocalls. On one side Gerry Adams posed in the sunshine with a group of primary schoolchildren from Derry. On the other Peter Robinson was being snapped together with Margaret Ritchie as part of the promotion of a £3 miilion greenway scheme through East Belfast. But will Messrs Robinson and McGuinness agree to smile and say cheese on Thursday?
The rumours I referred to in my last entry have been the talk of the corridors in Stormont today. Sinn Fein could quash the rumours with a simple on the record denial, but they have declined to do so. By contrast Gerry Adams put out a statement this afternoon saying that commitments on the Irish language and the devolution of justice must be honoured. He said that detailed discussions are underway aimed at resolving these outstanding issues.
If republicans don't put Martin McGuinness's name forward on Thursday they could delay the handover for seven days. If that time expires, we could then be looking at a fresh election. Under the old rules that would have kicked in six weeks after the dissolution of the Assembly. But since the St Andrews Act the date of a fresh election is left at the Secretary of State's discretion.
On the BBC's "Stormont Live" the DUP chairman Lord Morrow said the DUP wouldn't give in to Sinn Fein brinkmanship and Sinn Fein's Willie Clarke appeared to acknowledge there wasn't any great appetite amongst the public for a summer election.
Moreover if his game of "political chicken" isn't resolved it could disrupt President Bush's visit to Stormont in mid June?
Will it go that far or will the two main parties pull back from that brink? When I chatted to Ian Paisley last week he told me he had no intention of carrying on as First Minister after this Thursday. A special "Stormont Live" is being planned for Thursday (time TBA) when we might see the nomination of a new First and an old Deputy First Minister. Or maybe not....
I'm 
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Mark,
Let’s be serious about this issue. For once can you answer questions?
1. Will Sinn Fein fail to put forward McGuiness?
2. If it does happen will Robinson and McGuiness shakes hands?
3. Is this being done to bring Gerry Adams back to the spotlight?
4. What happens to MLA's pay? Will it be suspended of the Assembly is dissolved?
5. Does the Executive members give up their departments to direct rule ministers?
6. What can Gordon Brown do?
7. Does the Civil Service go into "purdah"?
And finally to leave you with this... Who has more to lose? McGuiness or Robinson? My pension is on Robinson. Firstly he will lose seats to Sir Reg. Secondly he will lose seats to Jim Bowen (Allister). What happens then? What if Sinn Fein is the largest party? Will Robinson sit down in Government as a deputy?
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Typical Sinn Fein! Gerry Adams goes crying to Gordon Brown. Two clowns together, but dangerous clowns.
What does Adams hope to achieve by running to Downing Street?
You boys on the hill and your accolites are a waste of time and taxpayers money.
Either get your act together fast, or let's get back to direct rule.
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SF will clearly want to push this all the way in the hope of getting concessions on the Maze, Irish Language and education. The risk with going nuclear is that there may be nothing left after the election. If the DUP were to lose seats and/or fall behind SF, then don't expect Robinson to want to become DFM and we'll face years of direct rule. I wouldn't be surprised if SF delay the nomination and buy another 7 days. They will eventually nominate McGuinness but they will consider that they've put a shot across the DUP's bows.
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In the event of an election the chances of Sinn Fein overtaking the DUP are slim, it's more likely that the status quo will remain with the DUP and SF losing votes to the UUP and the SDLP respectively, creating an even less stable executive.
Voters will remember that Ruane dithered like Gordon Brown, while Ritchie acted decisively.
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I liked that one about the MLA's pay.
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Mark
SINN FEIN CAN PROVIDE SOLUTION TO CRISIS
Sinn Fein should nominate Caitriona Ruane; that would unite all Parties!
Susie
Carryduff
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Comment No 4
Ritchie acted decisively? When? Where? How? Please explain as the curiosity is gripping me. Let’s look at the facts. This is the 4th June. So far this week Margaret Ritchie as Minister for Social Development has being doing – (info courtesy of DSD and Assembly webpage.)
2nd June
Minister Ritchie announces £3.2million contribution to secure delivery of Connswater Community Greenway project - 2 JUNE 2008
2nd June 2008
Ritchie outlines unique new proposals for rescuing mortgage defaulters.
2nd June in the Assembly
Mr Brady asked the Minister for Social Development to outline her plans to retain the 35 jobs and benefits offices and the front-line services they provide; and what plans she has to centralise some of the functions of these offices. (AQO 3816/08)
The Minister for Social Development: The jobs and benefits offices provide a valuable, joined-up, work-focused service to clients across Northern Ireland. I remain committed to the retention of a strong network of jobs and benefits offices and the front-line services that they provide. I am also committed to continuing to work in partnership with the Minister for Employment and Learning to ensure the completion of the roll-out of jobs and benefits services across Northern Ireland.
As part of the strategic business review, the Social Security Agency is also developing proposals to enhance behind-the-scenes, back-office processing work as part of a new service-delivery model. The analysis shows that processing staff are spread too thinly across the local office network to assure the continued delivery of a high-quality service into the future. We must consolidate those skilled resources to ensure the availability of a critical mass of staff to sustain that important area of work. The proposals are being subjected to an economic appraisal, in a business case, in order to identify the preferred way forward.
As he is a member of the Committee for Social Development, Mr Brady will know that my officials have already briefed the Committee on the principles and objectives of the strategic business review and on general progress to date.
Following consideration of the business case by the Department of Finance and Personnel, I will put the proposals to public consultation. I anticipate that that public consultation will be complete by the end of the year. I will then consult with my Executive colleagues before making any final decisions on implementation.
2nd June
Not-for-Profit Mortgage-Rescue Scheme
3rd June
Ritchie praises the work of Ballymena volunteers
3rd June
Margaret Ritchie met the Council for Mortgage Lenders in the Culloden Hotel.
3rd June
Assembly - Executive Committee Business
Mesothelioma, etc., Bill
3rd June
Assembly
Consideration Stage
Charities Bill
Ok so Margaret Ritchie has a busy few days but has not acted decisively. The time when she acted on her own she landed herself in trouble with the Executive when she failed to take legal advice over the Conflict Transformation Initiative. This is now a legal battle. Even on Monday Mickey Brady asked a straight question which was for Margaret to outline her plans to retain the 35 jobs and benefits offices and the front-line services they provide; and what plans she has to centralise some of the functions of these offices. Margaret’s response was “I remain committed to the retention of a strong network of jobs and benefits offices and the front-line services that they provide”. This is not answering the question. This is dithering in my opinion. Look at South Down. It is a dirty, disgusting, lacks road improvements, 2nd class hospital, and poor infrastructure and has high crime figures and has serious problems tackling anti social behaviour. Do you think now that Margaret Ritchie acts decisively? I don’t and in my opinion the electorate at the next election will remember this.
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Stormontspy, Margaret Ritchie "landed herself in trouble with the executive" beacuse she acted decisively and "the electorate at the next election will remember this". I guess it's up to the eletorate to decide who's judgement was correct, Ritchie's or the Executive. From my memory public opinion was firmly behind Ritchie.
Is Ruane not also an MLA for South Down?
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Comment No 8
Yes for the record Ruane is an MLA for South Down. Can you list the achievements that both Ritchie and Ruane have had for South Down?
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Stormontspy, in truth, no I can't list their achievements, I neither live or vote in South Down, but that is getting off the point, which was the possiblity of another election and what results that may produce. The election will now not happen, however had it occured it would have likely resulted in a loss of votes for Sinn Fein and the DUP, if only for the fact that ruling parties tend to recieve more criticism and as a result perform badly in mid-term elections.
Back to your point about Ruane versus Ritchie. I imagine the litmus test will now come with the next General election. As I have said I will not be voting in the South Down constituency, however I predict the SDLP will win the seat comfortably by at least 1000 votes.
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