Pressing ahead?
The DUP has released a 35 page document on the eve of its annual conference under the optimistic title of "Building On Success". If you were to read Peter Robinson's foreword you might conclude that the party is about make a great leap forward.
The party leader says that "once again unionism faces a choice in the next few years. Do we build on what we have achieved or risk throwing it all away chasing unrealisable goals?" And he continues "we have restored devolution on satisfactory terms, now is the time to take the next step forward".
So are we on the brink of transferring justice powers? Hold on to your horses, because the next step the First Minister appears to be referring to is reforming the Stormont system. After mounting a spirited defence of the DUP's decision to do a deal with Sinn Fein two years ago as "a choice between emotion and reason", the paper revisits Peter Robinson's Ulster Hall speech. It once again pushes weighted majority voting at the Assembly and how the workings of the Executive might be improved - the DUP reckons that has been the biggest structural difficulty at Stormont.
A section titled "the next steps forward" brings together the need to deliver better government with the devolution of policing and justice. It doesn't give much away noting "we have already agreed the institutional arrangements. Now it is necessary to resolve the financial issues and ensure the requisite community confidence exists."
Jim Allister has dismissed the pamphlet as "spin" arguing that "change will only come when the present unworkable charade is brought to its knees and that will not happen through working it, but through thwarting it by electoral rejection". However British and Irish officials may take heart from the fact that the DUP seems to be trying to sell the benefits of devolution at this sensitive stage.
I'm 
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~12~RS~)
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'Building on Success', is this to be filed under another one of your comedy articles Mark?!
"Do we build on what we have achieved or risk throwing it all away chasing unrealisable goals?"
I.e. Should we ditch moral clarity and principled stances for the more nuanced style of pragmatic politics that we should have let others try and get on with 30 or so years ago?
I reckon thanks to Gerry and Trimble and Paisley for the Peace Process, now time for a peaceful change of government and style of government, s'il vous plaît!
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Mark,
Having just read this DUP document I think the DUP are in denial. The DUP state that with Devolution there is Political Stability and Economic Stability. Is there really? The folks on the hill are underachieving, the economy is up the left and the dissidents are on the increase.
The DUP are saying -
DUP Ministers driving the agenda in Executive - Are they really? Are they responsible for messing up the 11+ transfer test?
DUP control over vital decisions by nationalist / republican Ministers - Who held a 5 month protest last year? Who refused to let the Executive meet for 5 months? DUP... No it was Sinn Fein
Grammar schools and academic selection preserved - Is it? The 11+ is done away with and no school teacher or pupil knows what is going to happen. If the DUP preserved it maybe they should let us know....
Extension of Free Public Transport to those over 60 - I think this was actually achieved by Conor Murphy. Last year the DUP tried to stop it but was overruled by the non DUP members of the Executive.
Introduction of Free Prescriptions - Correct me if I am wrong but wasn't Michael McGimpsey the one who found efficiency savings to provide the funding.
No Irish language Act - The DUP should not boast about this otherwise they could be dwindling their thumbs for another 5 months...
Rapid action for flood victims - This only happened because it was in Peter Robinson's own constituency. What happened if it had of happened in West Belfast??
Blocked Direct Rule plans to force us to pay twice for water - Was this not a joint decision by DUP/Sinn Fein. Everyone knows that water charges are coming. Much like Jim Allister denting the number of DUP seats!!
Devolution of policing and justice on DUP terms and when DUP decides - Oh dear. Prepare for an early election. Sinn Fein will not be happy when they hear this.
The last thing to mention is the DUP's line - "Provisional IRA’s terrorist campaign is over". Maybe a representative from the DUP would like to tell us whether they stand by that. Who killed Paul Quinn? Who is training members of the dissident terrorists?
Answers on a post card.
Stormontspy
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"Building On Success"
What's in the foundations???
What's this success built on???
"Sleech" or "Sleaze"???
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Stormontspy,your lists are something else!!! I enjoy!
Did you see ALASdair MP/SDLP on TV? Alas I did.Sad responses from an
intelligent man ! In the bag for Margaret Ritchie ?
TV discussion! Campbell/McNarey on the airwaves!Pitiful!
My majority's bigger than your majority!!!
Does Robinson get his confidence from Gregory's performance.Deluded!!
Talking of deluded,who saw Jim Alister,was it on Hearts and Minds?
Another poor performance! TUV? Bluster or just giving Robinson more confidence.Now that would be building on success !!!
Beginning to think "Building On Success" is not about policy,but the
dreary people he faces!Reflection in the mirror!!!
Mark
Your sitting on Mon/Tue political shows,gave me an idea.
For Children in Need ,can we sponser you to hold up a placard
asking/prompting/demanding responses to unanswered questions,
during a live show!!!
I have a number of suggestions,but your "moderator" would say no!!!
Hard,humourless heart,the moderator has even for "Children in Need"
Pudsey for moderator!!!
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BREAKING NEWS !!!
Billy Leonard selected by Sinn Fein to be a MLA.
Watch the coughing/stuttering/silence on the DUP benches !!!
Breaking a mould! Jim Alister's worst nightmare !!!
Glory be!!! Is this a glimmer of hope ???
Anything to stop the TUV bringing down Stormont.
DUP/UU/SINN FEIN/SDLP the best we've got.
Grow up and stop cheating the punters!
Thierry Henry can do it better than the "Brats on the Hill"
He can handle it !!!
Put me down for a hundred postal votes!!!
I'll get my muppet!!!
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It was interesting to see the 'Peter Robinson's Party' political broadcast last night, he looked very lonely.
Where were all his little friends?
Where were all his MP's?
Where were all his Executive?
Were they plotting his demise?
Is his political career over?
How smart was Paisley to leave before the bigots sunk their teeth in?
Like all the other Unionist Leaders before him, Peter Robinson has failed to learn from history. As long as any Nationalist/Republican has a say in the political future of this country, fire brand Unionists will always oppose it as it is giving the communication tools to exponents of a United Ireland.
Unionism has to share power with Nationalist/Republican politicans because of the simple fact that they cannot be trusted with this power on their own. It's either power sharing between Unionism and Nationalism or power sharing between the British Government and the Irish Government, this is the law!
Peter Robinson has as yet, failed to show leadership OF ANY SORT. He needs to do this in order to give confidence to the Nationalist people to whom he owes a great deal of effort, to make up for his predecessors in Unionist leaderships failings and blatant subjection towards their neighbour and fellow citizen.
Maturity is needed from Unionism and as yet this has failed to come to fruition. The time has come to accept that you are no longer the only people who live here. The time has come for you to accept that you failed in the past and these failings cannot be forgiven until you show those who have suffered that you have changed. Just like your partners, who have a long list of confidence building measures, the acceptance of the police force and decommissioning to name two, you in leadership need to brush away the bigots, a failure to do so will only result in the leadership being seen as bigoted in itself!
Please grow up for God Sake!!!
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Spinspamspun,
Thanks for your kind words!!!
I did see Alasdair on TV. I agree that he was poor but so is Margaret Ritchie. Margaret wants unionists to trust her as she tries to lead them to a united Ireland. If this is the best the SDLP have then they are surely finished.
I thought the Campbell/McNarry debate was brilliant. Best TV moment of the year!!
Do you not think that Allister has given the DUP a big kick up the back side? The DUP are not divided over near enough every issue as Allister is lurking in the shadows....
DisgustedinDerry,
That is a good point you made. Is the DUP now the Peter Robinson Party? The DUP has 36 MLA's. Where are they?
It would have been nice to see or hear someone else. Maybe Nigel Dodds could have described how the compensation from Libya was coming along. Maybe not after all Peter is not allowed to give Nigel official support as his deputy is stopping him.
What about wee Jeffrey? It would have been nice to hear him on the Full Time Reserve. Is it a deal breaker or not?
What about Alex Easton? It would be good to know if South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust has cancelled the Ravara House staff and carers Christmas party.
It would also be nice to hear from Gregory. Maybe he could clear up finally who owns his constituency office. In fact if he would declare it for once and for all I will make a donation to Pudsey and Children in Need.
Stormontspy
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Mark
UNIONISTS HAVE CHOICE BETWEEN CAVE-DWELLERS & KNUCKLE-DRAGGERS
I think it's a bit rich for Robinson to characterise TUV supporters as cave-dwellers
Cursory examination of Robinson’s audience, in terms of physical appearance, behaviours and attitudes, plainly shows that there are a significant number of them with clearly defined simian characteristics. Who does this remind you of?
I believe Robinson will live to regret his insult to Allister adherents.
Susie
Carryduff
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Mark,
Re post no8 have you any idea who gave Arlene the lovely bunch of flowers?
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DUP Ministers driving the agenda in Executive - Are they really? Are they responsible for messing up the 11+ transfer test?........no that was martin mcguinness in the old assembly on the very last day.
DUP control over vital decisions by nationalist / republican Ministers - ask margaret ritchie.....the same solo runs that the UUP negoitiated GFA allowed cannot happen under the new system. Farset funding anyone?
Grammar schools and academic selection preserved - Is it? in a word yes. the 11+ is a form of academic selection. There are many ways to test...the AQE and the CMS have also tests for academic ability. The test is no longer set by the dept of education.....but there is still selection and still grammar schools.
Extension of Free Public Transport to those over 60 - I think this was actually achieved by Conor Murphy.
Not sure about this one...i'll take your word for it.
Introduction of Free Prescriptions - it was an executive decision...ie brought before and sought funding and support fropm other departments
No Irish language Act -
Lets not speculate.....there is no act now and no plans in the near future.
Rapid action for flood victims - ...people who lived outside east belfast got support too.
Blocked Direct Rule plans to force us to pay twice for water -.........water charges may be coming but we wont be paying twice for it. perhaps a little more than we currently do but then if the other parties would agree to the 1998 proposal of the DUP to cut the assembly size, dept numbers and council numbers...we would save hundreds of millions.Why ask the people tooay more, when the politicians are so wasteful. pity nobody listened to the dup in 1998.
Devolution of policing and justice on DUP terms and when DUP decides - Oh dear. Prepare for an early election. Sinn Fein will not be happy when they hear this. ........so what ?
The last thing to mention is the DUP's line - "Provisional IRA’s terrorist campaign is over". Maybe a representative from the DUP would like to tell us whether they stand by that. Who killed Paul Quinn? Who is training members of the dissident terrorists?
The people involved in crimes similar to those mentioned may have once been in the pira....does that mean it is pira crimes no. for example when a rogue policeman is caught selling drugs, running prostitutes or some other illegal activity....as happens from time to time....do we blame the entire police force...no. So a few ira men are dissallussioned with the constitutional nationalist position sinn fein has taken.....doesn't surprise me. Let the police do their work....but don't pretend you know better that the police constable, mi5, army recon unit or the imc. Its not the IRA.
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Madge (Mr DUP)
Clarify a few things for me -
The DUP claim their ministers are driving the agenda. You claim that Martin McGuinness ruined the 11+ transfer test on the very last day in the old Assembly. What have the DUP done since May 2007 to reverse it?
I really don't think the DUP have control over vital decisions by nationalist / republican Ministers. Education.... Farset... Strategic Business Review.... Policing and Justice..... Executive not meeting for 5 months.....
Free Prescriptions - Who found efficiency savings in their department? Who brought forward the paper to the Executive??
No Irish language Act - Maybe their is no act now, but it is not something to boast about as a cheap political headline.
As for rapid action for flood victims this was only brought about as a result of flooding in a DUP hot seat!!
I will remember this line and ask you about it in a few years -
"Blocked Direct Rule plans to force us to pay twice for water"
As for numbers of MLA and Government bodies in 11 years the DUP still have taken no action.
Devolution of policing and justice on DUP terms and when DUP decides - Oh dear. Prepare for an early election. Sinn Fein will not be happy when they hear this. ........so what?.... End to double jobbing and back to being an MP???
Do you really think the IRA has gone away? Do you think the Army Council is disbanded?
Stormontspy
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