Quick on the draw
No sooner had the news of Alex Kane's resignation as the UUP Director of Communications leaked out earlier today than some people were plotting to step into his shoes. The UUP Deputy Leader Danny Kennedy is filling the role on a temporary basis, but a colleague found a letter abandoned in the Stormont canteen from a Belfast PR man advising the Ulster Unionists that he "would be available immediately on a freelance and flexible basis".
The PR man continued "As you are aware, I was previously a member of the UUP, where I often argued the merits of the Conservative Party. I am now a member of the Conservative Party where I often find myself arguing the merits of the Ulster Unionist Party. I remain supportive of both parties, whether separately or in co-operation".
So perfectly placed then. Unless, of course, the UUP pursues the offer of an electoral pact from the DUP which Alex Kane lambasted in his column for today's News Letter.
I am now off from Stormont back to Hillsborough for our late TV news. Tomorrow looks like it will involve yet more talks , and as a number of people have pointed out to me February 2nd really is Groundhog Day.
I'm 
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~55~RS~)
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
Ah come on moderators, WISE UP!
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Anyone able to expand on O'Mallie's claims??
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DisgustedinDERRY
Post 2 - I completely agree.
Post 3 - Contrary to what Mark says a private vote was held and 16 disagreed with the deal. Apparently this deal rests on Robinson's leadership. If the deal goes he stays. If he can't get another concession over parades he goes. The problem for Robinson the failed tactician has is that Sinn Fein are done with talking.
Hopefully Robinson now goes.he should just walk. He is a failure.
Stormontspy
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A few observations.
1. Lack of blog responses suggest vast majority in this country no longer really give a hoot what is going on up there due to huge disillusionment!
2. People realise this is a played out soap opera for the masses, hyped up by ridiculous media frenzy, three minutes to midnight "crisis" drama which is laughable. It is all political rubbish.
3. People sadly still cannot accept they voted in a bunch of no hopers, imagine a week on this issue in the eyes of the worlds media, on this item, what a joke! Would you respect a cleaner who took a week to hoover your carpet? No did not think so.
Time should have run out a long ago for these stubborn political con men.
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Heard Sammy on Good Morning Ulster sounding incredibly cheesed off that he has to do point duty again! There is no getting away from the fact that the DUP are at breaking point over this deal. 15 or 16 MLA's unhappy with the deal and you can be sure that Allister has been working the phones to them all night! Much is made of the post dated letters of resignation which DUP candidates had to sign in 2007 but Mark blogged after the Euro result that any commitment given under duress or threat of coercion is legally null and void and Allister would just love to test that in court!
Robbo says he wants more talks but SF are finished talking, they have him by the proverbials and they are going to slowly squeeze!!
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Mark,
Will you address Post 1?
Stormontspy
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Mark doesn't answer spy, I wrote a reply the other day which was deemed inappropriate, I don't know why. Yet references to movies and certain peoples vertically challenged disposition is left unchecked! this blog is becoming a waste of time, much like the jokes on the hill.
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noneoftheabove,
Here here. The moderators are a laughing stock. They are completely **** for brains.
Stormontsy
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Ah 'HMS Rudderless has broken its bow'
Come on Robinson lead your party, how can you sore like an eagle when your surrounded by turkeys?
Don't let the dogs take you for a walk, grasp the reigns and kick them into the corner.
Come on Peter be the first unionist politician EVER, to grab the nettle and be brave, time for you to accept that Catholic republican/nationalist are no longer 2nd class citizens.
You have no militia's to beat us any more, we will only get stronger, you will only get weaker.
Get some wind in the sails of 'HMS Rudderless' and lead like a leader not a two bit front man for bigots!!!
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I find the continual whining and whinging about the moderation of the comments section of Davenport's blog, utterly infantile. Everyone agreed to the terms and conditions so why do some people think that by paying a licence fee they are entitled to the right of libel or defamation or the right to insult.
Also attacking the neutrality of the BBC is slightly ridiculous when it is that responsibility for political neutrality that the moderators are attempting to uphold.
So to all the twisty faces, there are plenty of gable walls and public toilet walls out there, just waiting for your comments.
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DisgustedinDERRY,
The DUP are finished. Did you hear Sammy Wilson on Nolan this morning. The only thing Sammy done was talk verbal diahorrea!!
Stormontspy
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Calm down Tone! I didn't defame or libel anyone yet was barred from posting for no reason that I can see. Wouldn't The great Tone have had something to say about certain freedoms like speech maybe?
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Wolfe Tone,
Where is the Davenport Diaries as we are on the Devenport Dairies.
Why don't you spell out who your problem is with? We all signed up to the house rules but I never signed up for the BBC to be biased...
Stormontspy
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Stormontspy
Grow up!
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DisgustedinDERRY,
What makes you say that!!
Stormontspy
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noneoftheabove,
Perhaps you found your own comments on the subject to be whining, I did not. In fact I found the first sentence of #8 to be somewhat poetic and lyrical.
As for Tone himself, an historical figure sadly hijacked and appropriated by militant republicanism, well we can't be sure what he thought of freedom of speech. But with regard to sectarianism, he was a little more clear.
"...And we do call on, and most earnestly exhort, our countrymen in general to follow our example, and to form similar societies in every quarter of the kingdom for the promotion of constitutional knowledge the abolition of bigotry in religion and politics, and the equal distribution of the rights of men through all sects and denominations of Irishmen*."
* he was of course talking at a time before 'Brutishness' existed and when Unionist described themselves as Irish.
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The situation is apparently getting worse. SF thinks the talks are over and half the DUP MLA'S are ready to walk. I said it before and i'll say it again. SHUT THIS EMBARRESSMENT OF AN ASSEMBLY DOWN NOW! IT HASN'T WORKED AND IT'LL NEVER WORK. SAVE US ALL A FORTUNE AND SHUT IT DOWN NOW!
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The last line of #17 should read "before Britishness existed' and not as misspoken 'brutishness'... is that what they call a Freudian slap? :)
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#18, I've been told by a friend in the NICS that apparently the top brass have been told to prepare for a return to direct rule. Make of that what you will, it could just be untrue.
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Which side is Jeffrey on I wonder? Where oh where is he by the way?!!:-)
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#21, I wonder if he's gone into hiding with Iris?!
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Folks,
Who would describe Jeffrey as fun loving? Is he on the run from MI5...
Stormontspy
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
Stormontspy,
I often talk about Irish history repeating itself. Throughout the centuries the crown or the crown forces have always used issues to drive history in the direction of its own policy, could Robinson be the new Parnell?
From as far back as the James I, they have appeased or oppressed in Ireland to suit their own ends, maybe now Robinson will regret his 40 years of boot licking and sucking up to the idea of saving the union. The Union doesn't want our wee country and neither does its government!!!
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DisgustedinDERRY,
The Governments in the past 2 weeks are probably sick off Northern Ireland. Gordon has so many problems off his own he must be thinking of getting rid off us. Hopefully he doesn't. I am sure Cowen and the people in the republic don't want us either. What is the solution?
Stormontspy
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Stormontspy
The people of the Rep.Ireland voted to accept the GFA so they have no choice in the matter. The Irish government support and sponsor the GFA so they have no choice in the matter. Until a vote comes about we are stuck with partisan, sectarian politics and the forces of the British government still being involved in Irish issues.
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DisgustedinDERRY
The people in the republic accepted the GFA but that is not to say they want us as countrymen or women. We get partisan, sectarian politics from both sides. I am glad MI5 let us know about the Robinson's. Who is next?
Stormontspy
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Stormontspy
Just because our country has been partitioned does not mean our people have been. We in N.Ireland and the people in the Rep.Ireland are one of the same people. Both have suffered harshly at the hands of the British policy in Ireland.
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DisgustedinDERRY
Have you suffered harshly at the hands of the British policy in Ireland.
Stormontspy
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Stormontspy
I have, as have many others of mine and other generations. Guilty by association they call it, if you went to a certain chapel or school you were the enemy in the eyes of the British government/army/terrorists militias!!!!
Have you ever looked down the barrel of a terrorist gun? It's not a nice experience I can assure you.
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DisgustedinDERRY
How are you the enemy of the state by going to a school or chapel??
I have not looked down the barrel of a gun. What did you do?
Stormontspy
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Stormontspy
Now you're playing the fool, I'm no fool to play along sorry. It would suit you better to read some of our shared history, I would recommend our recent history as you seem to know little of it!!!
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DisgustedinDERRY
How the hell am I playing the fool? I am asking you to explain your comments otherwise I presume your making it up.
Stormontspy
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DisgustedinDERRY,
Are you going to blame the British Government for Celtic getting beat tonight!!
Stormontspy
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Stormontspy
I didn't know that, nor do I care.
Here is a good site for you to read up on your history.
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