That "Clever Device"
As there's still quite a focus on exactly what the "clever device" might be which Peter Robinson might use if the Hillsborough agreement goes horribly wrong, it's maybe worth attracting people's attention again to this analysis piece I wrote on Friday which contained the sentence "there's also speculation that the first minister could threaten his resignation if he believes republicans have not stuck to their side of the bargain by December - the date by which the new parades structures should come into force." My educated guess is that the DUP leader might have a post dated letter of resignation ready to activate in that event.
Certainly this would be consistent with Jeffrey Donaldson's interview with Stephen Nolan late on Friday night.
Tonight we are expecting the announcement of the 6 strong parades working group. It will be made up by 3 MLAs from the DUP and 3 from Sinn Fein. I haven't yet got all the names but I wouldn't be surprised if Gerry Kelly and Nelson McCausland are members.
Whilst there were plenty of plaudits for our local politicians in the Commons today when the Prime Minister gave a statement on the Hillsborough accord, the irony was that the timing of the debate in Westminster helped de-rail one fo the first stages in the timetable contained in the agreement. Peter Robinson attended the debate and told MPs that the support of other parties was essential. However when attempts were made to convene a meeting of party leaders to discuss candidates for the Justice job it became clear that Sir Reg Empey was double booked - he had fixed a meeting of his party officers and MLAs. It now looks like this first step will take place tomorrow morning.
Margaret Ritchie announced that Alban Maginness would now be her choice for the Justice job, but will she give her Social Development Minister job to someone else? It's easier to give up a potential job than a real one. Ms ritchie was ushered away without taking any questions, prompting Eamon Mallie to complain loudly that this was the way the DUP handled their news conferences. A new era in SDLP media management, perhaps?
I'm 
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~49~RS~)
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Mark
In fairness I think anyone in their right mind would get her away from a microphone as quickly as possible. Did you see her on UTV tonight? My God the SDLP have made a huge mistake, McDonnell is a far superior politician.
All I can say is it's happy days for Sinn Fein, who in their right mind would vote for a party with, as Stormontspy would say, a mentalist as its leader.
I think the SDLP have built a replica of 'HMS Rudderless' and God help them when they enter the storm that is a Westminster election.
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Dear help us if this so-called 'clever device' turns out to be a pre-signed resignation letter. If this deal fails to deliver for Unionism, and the TUV capitalise at the Westminster election, Robbo surely won't see December as leader. Perhaps then the 14 will wish they'd stood up a bit sooner.
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Mark
HILLSBOROUGH CRACKING UP ALREADY
The Hillsborough Agreement, [or if you're a DUP supporter, the Hillsborough Humiliation,] is already starting to crack, built as it is on rickety foundations that cannot withstand close scrutiny.
I don't even have to deride DUP claims that they have a "clever device"; there is no need to mention Alliance's flimflam about the Justice Minister’s post; and heaven forefend that I mention deadlines that no party has any intention of keeping to. Despite all the rhetoric about "the final piece of the jigsaw" and "this historic deal", any buck eejit can see that the ingredients for this cooked-up deal are a recipe for collapse.
In all this nonsense about the P & J deal, let us not forget the obvious: we have 108 MLAs who are incompetent; the Assembly is going nowhere.
Next crisis? Say, end of February.
Susie
Carryduff
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Susie,
The next crisis will occur on February 23 as they will be unable to agree on parades.
Mark,
Peter's so called clever device is a gimmick and con like him. Peter is just a figure of fun. How could anyone take him serious?
The SDLP are in disarray. The way Margaret Ritchie acts in public is weak. During interviews she makes faces and is very uneasy. As DisgustedinDERRY says the SDLP will be wondering what have they got themselves into. Sinn Fein will be sitting down thinking that after the next Assembly election the SDLP will be disbanded. In South Down the SDLP had 21000 votes in 2005. In 2007 they had 14000. When Seamus McKee put that to Margaret on Thursday she said that the vote had held firm. With a performance like that then the SDLP will be electing a new leader pretty soon.
Stormontspy
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'Oh Yes'
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Agree with Disguisted Ms Richie gives the impression of being a very self satisfied and self important woman. Having encountered her recently at a public meeting I am baffled that the SDLP have so little within them as to elect her over Alistair McDonnell.
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What could this group possibly agree to? I Agree with you guys expect another crises before the end of February.
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Ritchie was shocking yesterday deriding the Justice Minister issue as "a corruption of democracy," and then saying she wants Alban Magennis to be their nominee! At least David Ford has the gumption to reserve his position!
It's only a matter of time before the whole Stormont freak show crashes into the buffers. If Robbo's "clever device" is a post dated letter of resignation then that is exactly the sort of tactic that Trimble tried 10 years ago and which Robbo derided him for it! If Trimble had produced the Hillsborough Agreement in 2000 Robbo would have been saying the exact same things about it that Jim Allister did last week! No wonder Alliance and the UUP are keeping clear of it, it's an accident waiting to happen!!
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I wonder if Peter Robinson is related to Tony Robinson? His team object to the Deal, so he says, "Don't worry - I have a CUNNING plan..."
Although he's also starting to sound like Professor Farnsworth from Futurama and his love of Doomsday Devices for all occasions...
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Republicans have made good on our commitments all the way through on this peace process and no fair-minded person can deny that. And We'll continue to honour the agreements that we enter into. Fair play to the DUP for getting practical on Irish politics. If it ain't practical it ain't spiritual and somebody's got to get a grip on reality with this political accomadation.
The SDLP and other peripheral parties are collecting the electorates reward and it's that simple. They're just not popular in either community.
The SDLP can put forward their perspective at a major political conference in central London on Feb 20th entitled "Putting Irish Unity on the Agenda" a conference to open the debate. Unionist opinion will also be represented at the conference. Details available at:
http://www.londonirishunityconference.org/
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IS THIS PLAGIARISM?
A 'clever device' threatening to bring down the Assembly if Sinn Féin do not live up to their side of the 'agreement' on policing & justice.
This sounds like a similar move taken by the First Minister's colleague, the Deputy First Minister.
Exactly what Sinn Féin wants.
The First Minister is bluffing himself into a corner.
Pandora
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