Sorry Dawn (and Monica)!
I have just returned from the Stormont Great Hall, where Margaret Ritchie threw her hat in the ring for the SDLP leadership. She is promising an as yet unspecified comprehensive plan for the future renewal of the party. I thought I ought to ask a question about whether having a female leader would make any difference either way to voters, but totally put my foot in it as I said (live on Talkback) that no other party here had a female leader.
How could I forget the PUP leader Dawn Purvis, my live guest on Inside Politics just on Sunday, or indeed the Women's Coalition's Monica McWilliams? Or going back even further Anne Dickson of the UPNI?
Apologies to all. Dolores Kelly laughed about my gaffe and told me she was glad I was getting a taste of my own medicine.
So far as Margaret Ritchie's bid is concerned, her supporters appear to believe they have strong backing not only from her home patch in South Down, but up in the North West, in West Belfast and even from the Balmoral branch in South Belfast (Carmel Hanna was one of the MLAs who stood beside her). The minister reckons she has at least 50% of the SDLP's Assembly team on side.
This may give Alasdair McDonnell food for thought. I understand he will continue his internal consultations and is unlikely to announce his intentions publicly for a week or so.
One source questioned whether Ms Ritchie will hold on to her ministerial job if she becomes leader. I asked her but didn't get an answer.
On the margins of the Ritchie announcement, the minister's advisor was trying to take photos for the party's in house magazine. But half way through the photo shoot, one of the snappers present pointed out it might be better to take the lens cap off.
I'm 
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~15~RS~)
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No bad thing if Margaret Ritchie gets to lead the SDLP.
Too many "suits" in Stormont ! Grey,dull and boring,MLA's
reading from scripts.Hardly a new idea in their heads !
Might draw a line at Mrs Peter Robinson leading the DUP !!!
Any news on expenses ?
How can Mark Durkin show he used a hotel bedroom,after many
years,for his sole use ?
Any details on G Cambell and Willie McCrea ?
Mark,when are the Stormont expenses being released ?
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Mark,
After today's announcement I was left wondering what exactly does a party leader do? Margaret stated that with the burden off her ministerial workload she has decided to clear things up, set the record straight and declare that she will stand as party leader. Is she implying that as a party leader her workload will reduce? Does Mark Durkan do nothing all day? Also Mark how does Margaret justify her own job at the minute? If you ask Margaret anything we always hear the same line "my officials are preparing a paper"
On a separate point any more expenses update. At 4.30pm Martin McGuinness was with the Prime Minister as was Peter Robinson while Iris sat in the House of Commons. Has the DUP learnt about Willie McCrea's letter and better still has Gregory Campbell worked out yet who owns his office!!!
Many questions and no answers....
Stormontspy
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Did she use the phrase 'exciting plans'?
That'll be something to look forward to.
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Mark,
Back on the 1st October 2009 under the title "She who pays the sculptor" you said that you were busy and would come back to treat us to your thoughts on expenses and the latest spat soon. Is there any chance you could when you get the time? I know you have had a lot of blog posts recently but none really are your thoughts on the current issues. What do you make of the expenses? What do you make of the election for SDLP leader? What do you think of the Policing and Justice deal?
Just on a separate point what about the issue of DSD money being used to build a terrorist shine in Bangor? I am sure when people in Bangor or those who lost loved ones see Margaret Ritchie's face they will think of the 3 marble slabs eulogising the loyalist terrorists in Kilcoolie.
Stormontspy
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Where is everybody?Stormontspy!Tell me!
Marks efforts are going down the tubes !!
Besides you and SusieFlood,contributions
are going down,down,down too!!!
This is not a Christmas card list,but for all you out there,
have a Happy Christmas,and stay involved
with Mark's blog!!!
GONE MISSING
democratic-Centrism
secretpcjunkie
DisgustedinDerry
JPSLotus79
JointheQ
bushmill-1608
MacScroggie
7pillars
themanicminer
harryatport and not forgetting
LordSnoot(current affairs) !!!
SIGN UP SOON
We all need each other to banter against,
and grow this blog to Scottish/Welsh standards !!
Can't let this blog be the same as MLA's "read responses"
Dull/grey/boring answers.
Here goes.After this no one might want to speak to me ???
Whatever!!!
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Spinspamspun,
Are you saying that my comments are dull/grey/boring answers????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!................
Stormontspy?
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No way Stormontspy!!! Call U dull no way. Just looking for the rest
in this dark and hazy mist !!!
Suprise suprise Willie McCrea's recall Legg letter is the greatest!!!
Suprise suprise wee Sammy owes nothing !!! Well done the man who
gave £68mil to Health Budget for Iris(sorry swine)flu deviants !!UUP's
Peter on the couch tonight???
Keep blogging Stormmontspy !!!
What do you want for Christmas ???
A wee Red Book ???(Chairman Mao)
When does Stormont stop being a Kindergarden!!!
Are we there already ???
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fao Mark Devonport
#
When are the MLA expense details being released ???
Does the BBC NI have this information ???
We need to know and we will know !!! FOI if need be.
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Why post when the moderators appear overly keen to "block" posts. I agree the Blether with Brian blogg is much more interesting and lively with an obviously lighter touch by the moderators.
A recent series of posts stemming from questions to the first minister was worth reading. All stemmed from the Leader of the Scottish Labour Party being allowed an extra question.
Alex Salmons put downs were superb. Compare that with our political donkeys burdened with a system of submitted questions and restricted supplementaries asked by highly paid individuals who in the main struggle to read from their scripted notes never mind having the ability to think on their feet and get out a meaningful series of words in a free exchange of views.
Turning to the subject of an MLA 's requirement to register as a Data Controller under the Data Protection Act can I ask the moderators to view the new Code of Conduct posted on the Assembly website earlier this week and can I ask them to understand that when the code talks of Public Duty and Members having a duty to uphold the law and to act on all occasions in accordance with the public trust placed in them, I am entitled if I chose to draw attention to the fact that MLA's who are not registered as Data Controllers are in breach of the Data Protection Act and as a result are in breach of the members code.
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There is a strange thing happens when politicians get to Stormont, they become deaf blind and dumb to all that is not in their agenda.
No longer do they listen to the people who put them there, the concerns of the people have to take a back seat, or the trash can.
So engrossed in there own thoughts, it is impossible for them to help or even recognise there are real people, with real lives who are being ignored by them.
The awful thing is I don't think they even realise what they have become.
Try writing to them and see what I mean.
Our politicians have become very important people in their own little bubble, not much use to the likes of me.
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secretpcjunkie,
I agree with you entirely. I have written to handful off MLA's this year regarding several issues. I got 1 reply and even at that the MLA concerned shouldn't have bothered. It is time the MLA's reconnected with the people. Whether people are green or orange if someone has lost their job or having to wait longer on the health service come the next election people will either give the smaller parties a try or simply not bother.
Stormontspy
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Following bushmill_1608's interesting post I visited the Information Commissioner's web site to check the listing of MLA's registered as Data Controllers. On checking the entries for all MLA's it looks as if there are a number under 10 who do not appear to have a registration numbers.
The result of my search therefore suggests that a number of MLA's (less than 10)are failing in their duty to uphold the law and to act on all occasions in accordance with the public trust placed in them.
Looks like the Standards and Privileges Committee could shortly have a number of complaints to undertake. That being said an MLA's duty to comply with the law of the land should be taken as a given and should not require a Code of Conduct to remind them.
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bushmill 1608 / bally 09
Can you name names?
Stormontspy
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Since I may want to be the one to make a formal complaint to the Standards and Priveleges Committee under the terms of the new Code of Conduct it would not be appropriate to name the MLA's here. In any event the blog moderators would fom past experience fail to post the comment.
If you want to do your own checking the Data Protection Public Register can be found at http://www.ico.gov.uk/ESDWebPages/search.asp . You may then decide to take a different view with the information you gather.
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bally 09,
Thanks for the link. I understand you can't name names so I will go off and do a bit of detective work. Thanks
Stormontspy
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Bally09,
Good luck with any complaint you pursue and once the MLA's are in full compliance with the need to register as data controllers you can checkout our MEPs may not be difficult to work out who and then proceed to councillors elected to our 26 local councils.
Stormontspy,
Could you help me with a couple of clue to a crossword puzzle I am struggling with:
1) A bird with distintive red chest plummage(5)
(2) Scientist who gave his surname to 3 laws of physics one of which involved an apple tree? (6)
After that there will only be five to go.
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bally-09/bushmill-1608/Stormontspy
You guys are opperating at another level,
a form of "insider blogging"
Not good at crosswords,but will watch with interest.
Does Mark D understand you lot ?
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Solved the clues now googling
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To spinspamspum
I hope you are not implying that my post yesterday was dull. The most important woman in the world was here to give our politicians support. Unfortunitly some of our political leader's can't control their party member's who need a few lessons on common courtesy and manners! The 12 Idiots are not the only people who live on this island or these islands, it's time for them to give up the ghost and move aside so that more progresive people can take us forward in a mature manner. No dummy spitting, no more!!!
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All bloggers,
Did anybody see today's revelations about Eddie MCGrady's expenses?
Stormontspy
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Would have been sooner,but looking for info.
Poor old Eddie-Hotel costs again(no films though)!!!
Earlier in year,Daily Tel reported he had charged £17000 for hotels !!!
The info I was after was I believe he won his Court case v SundayLife ??
If you find info,please advise.
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Spinspamspun,
Both articles are on the BBC N.Ireland website. It makes very interesting reading. Eddie did win his court case. I wonder how much will the Sunday Life wish the judgement had of been delayed by a day. Anyway what happens to all this money paid back? Will it find its way to front line services or back to the MP's.
Stormontspy
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INFO
Eddie McGrady awarded substantial libel damages v Sunday Life.
More than £6112 ???
See Irish Independent.
Sunday life took a pensioner and stood him outside McGradys hotel,
etc etc
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Probably the most contributed post ever in the history of The Devenport Diaries!
Personally I'm find it increasingly difficult to comment on local events given the ongoing pantomine at Stormont which we all know is likely to end with Robinson agreeing to what's currently on offer about policing after stalling for a few weeks to try and convince his backwoods men that he's acting tough.
It's all so predictable, I just want there to be an election so we can finally see how this is playing out on the ground. Will TUV take another bite out of the DUP's vote? Will the UCUNF survive the rumblings in South Belfast? Will Eddie McGrady see off Ruane in South Down? Come on Gordon! We're fed up waiting! Off to see the Queen and let the people have their say!!
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It was mentioned in earlier posts on this topic that a new Code of Conduct had been introduced.
Reporting elsewhere on this site would suggest that the next topic for scutiny should be invoices paid by MLA's to their parties for things like secreterial support, research etc. If there is any question that invoices are being inflated it is a serious matter. Based on the rents some MLS's pay they certainly occupy some very expensive offices funded by the public purse so there is obviously form here.
There needs to be a demand for a detailed independent audit of all expenses with all findings published. An example of what needs to be looked at and clarified is the case of one MLA who claimed for and has been paid Self Employed Secreterial Services for research services where the name of the supplier was the MLA him/herself.
Good work if you can get it. Perhaps it should be the PSNI who are called upon to carry out the independent investigation.
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