More Secrets and Guarded Optimism
Having surfed the wave of optimism which went around on Tuesday evening before Wednesday's breakdown I am reluctant to get out my body board again. However a few discussions I have been having tonight make me wonder whether the politicians may be edging towards a deal. On Hearts and Minds Alex Maskey described Sinn Fein's latest discussions with the DUP as frank courteous and professional, whilst a senior DUP figure told me it would be better for the reputation of politics here if the local parties could forge their own agreement rather than relying on the two prime ministers to do all the hard work.
Another Stormont source reckoned the DUP Assembly team is 90% for a deal, and thought a consultation on any proposals which might come out of Hillsborough could be kept to a fortnight.
I don't know whether this is all a reaction to the manifest public anger on the airwaves. But the governments believe that a genuine and serious effort is underway.
The other story of the evening was Stephen Dempster's revelations on Hearts and Minds about yet more secret DUP UUP talks - this time in early December and hosted by the Orange Order. If things were going badly republicans might have seized on the unionist manouvreing as a reason to junk the Hillsborough talks, but so far at any rate Sinn Fein appears fairly relaxed.
More spooked I would say are the Conservatives who were blind sided by their partners the Ulster Unionists. Owen Paterson need not have gone to all that trouble booking Hatfield House if he had been aware that Bobby Saulters was already doing the job of bringing unionists together. The Conservative sources I spoke to tonight expressed some concern and dismay and said they would be looking for an explanation from Sir Reg Empey who attended the talks alongside Peter Robinson.
I'm 
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~57~RS~)
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Mark,
The biggest problem Peter Robinson has is 4 people in his party. They answer to the names of Gregory Canpbell, Lord Morrow, Wille McCrea and David Simpson. It is clear that if a deal is done then Peter has a problem internally. I wonder if he will jump and let Arlene (6 jobs) steer the DUP into Hurricane Allister. You did say the other day that Peter was a 'master tactician' yet you won't admit you can't be neutral.
As regards Unionist Unity it will never stick. The DUP and UUP need the TUV but that won't happen. Not only is Peter in trouble so is Reg. How can he square this with his masters in England but also his maverick MP. What odds we have a clean sweep off new leaders for the 4 main political parties by the end off the year??
Stormontspy
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Mark,
When your outside the talks would you do me a favour? Keep an eye out for Ian Paisley Jr. If he is there do keep us informed as it will be interesting if he does side deals. Remember St Andrews? If anyone suspects anything don't say you know him... Just say you know off him...
Stormontspy
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The public reaction to Wednesday's farce has been absolutely ferocious. The mood has been heightened by yesterday's news about Avaya and Hughes Christiansen and if I was one of their workers I would be spitting blood after hearing Arlene in full Marie Antoinette mode on Good Morning Ulster claiming that the politicians were focused on "the bigger picture." Err no you're not Arlene, you are focused on an issue of interest to absolutely no one outside the loyal orders and the residents groups. The only reason why the DUP has latched on to parades is because they are desperate for an excuse not to do a deal as it would split the party.
These talks now have the air of people trying not to be seen to be the ones who cause the house of cards to collapse. If you want a prediction, the talks will end inconclusively, the governments will publish their paper which all the other parties will accept but the DUP will prevaricate and claim they need to consult i.e. play for time.
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
Mark
ANOTHER OSCAR FOR ROBINSON – BEST POLITICAL CHOREOGRAPHY
The news that Robinson was in secret talks with the UUP in early December shows his political acumen at its most brilliant. Clearly he had foreknowledge that the soon to be exposed Iris scandal was going to cause his party severe damage. His salvage tactics were carried out with military precision. Importantly other factors greatly assisted his political machinations.
Reg Empey, seemingly ensconced with the Tories, failed to question why the DUP had suddenly come a-courtin'. After all, the DUP have spent years treating the UUP with contempt and successfully reducing the party to a shell of its former self. At that point, the DUP were at the top of their game. Was Reg not suspicious? Alas the gods were with Robinson. He found in Reg a political pygmy whose naiveté will likely destroy the connection with the Tories and drive a large swathe of natural UUP supporters back to the garden centres. The electoral benefits of Reg’s folly will accrue to the DUP and consign his party to oblivion. [The phrase: "There's one born every minute" springs to mind.]
With the collusion of a largely tame media, Robinson gave an Oscar-winning performance on 5 January in telling us about Iris's 'inappropriate behaviour'. He deserves a second Oscar for the way he has choreographed the final nail in the UUP's political coffin.
Susie
Carryduff
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Mods,What was wrong with my earlier post? @4
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Mark,
If the Assembly survives beyond the weekend then it will be same old, same old in the chamber on Monday. For the order paper on Monday number 5 is -
PRIVATE MEMBERS’ BUSINESS
- Motion - Education Bill
- Proposed: That this Assembly notes with grave concern the failure by the Minister of Education to secure consensus on the Education Bill; further notes the unacceptable nature of the Minister’s interim governance and management arrangements; believes that these interim arrangements undermine the authority of this Assembly; and calls on the Minister of Education to urgently seek a resolution that is acceptable to all parties in the Executive.
[Mr B McCrea]
[Mr J McCallister]
- Motion - Government Efficiency
- Proposed: That this Assembly calls on the Minister of Finance and Personnel to instruct the Performance and Efficiency Delivery Unit to assist the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety by investigating potential non-frontline savings within the DHSSPS remit and producing initial recommendations within three months.
[Mr S Hamilton]
[Mr P Weir]
Don't expect our troubles to be over if a deal is done. It will be back to cheap political points scoring.
Stormontspy
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With regards post 7, moderators you know it makes sense.
Stormontspy
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