Inter Party Talks?
David Ford is my guest for "Inside Politics" this weekend. I ask him if there is any "wobble room" in his party's previous rejection of the notion that they could provide a compromise candidate to head a future Justice ministry. Mr Ford says Alliance would attend any inter party talks held on the matter in the autumn. He points out that if the issue is dealt with by the Assembly Executive and Review Committee then Alliance would be absent as it isn't included on the body.
Alliance will actually discuss criminal justice matters with the NIO Minister Paul Goggins next week. I think the SDLP are also due a meeting and slots are being arranged with other parties. Before anyone portrays these as crunch talks on the impasse, it should be noted they were arranged some time ago, although it would be logical for the arrangements for transferring justice powers to come up.
If you want to hear the interview with David Ford, it's on Inside Politics on BBC Radio Ulster at a quarter to one tomorrow.
I'm 
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I would love to ask David Ford one question - Why did you cry that you were omitted from the executive under the d'Hont system yet when a position was offered it you rejected it as you like being in opposition for opposition's sake.
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Mark,
I am not sure whether nobody listened to David Ford or he had nothing interesting to say!!!
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SUMMER DOWNPOURS CAN CHANGE THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE...
After listening to David Ford on Inside Politics on Saturday, I was reminded that last month when asked if he would be willing to nominate an Alliance MLA for Policing and Justice Minister, Mr Ford replied "It's a very definite no and a very emphatic no" and claimed that "this Executive is incompetent" and Alliance would not help out on the impasse.
Mr Ford's response to your questions indicated he could be persuaded to change his mind.
So the word 'no', even if preceded by the expressive adjective 'emphatic' does not mean never. What has happened? Has the Executive miraculously become competent while on holiday recess and the principle on which the Alliance leader stood his ground, has dissolved like saccharin in a summer downpour?
The propsect of Ms Motor Mouth becoming a Minister in the Executive and laying down the law in monotonous incoherent babble like the school mistress "now children watch the blackboard and I will explain the meaning of everything" must be a frightening prospect for the electorate.
Pandora
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