Danny smitten by Gorgeous George
This morning, put on the spot about who might take Gerry Adams' seat in West Belfast, I suggested a few names - Alex Maskey to shift over from South Belfast, Caitriona Ruane to return to her West Belfast festival domain, or Bobby Storey to complete his conversion from physical force republicanism to the electoral side of the movement. I omitted Seanna Walsh, the former IRA prisoner who read out its order to decommission arms in 2005, but certaibly should have included him.
But one name I must admit I wouldn't have thought of in a month of Sundays was that of the former Respect MP, George Galloway. Famous for his opposition to the Iraq war, his admiration for Saddam Hussein's "indefatigability", taking on the US Congress head to head and impersonating a cat lapping up milk on Big Brother, Mr Galloway's name didn't immediately spring to my mind - but it did to Sinn Fein's former publicity director Danny Morrison.
Danny has written a column for Monday's Andersonstown News arguing that if the people of West Belfast returned George to Westminster he would be an "incendiary presence" and "a voice for the oppressed of this earth. It would be us 'invading' them, a major reversal of colonialism, a statement of our internationalism."
Sinn Fein's initial response is that Mr Galloway isn't a party member so wouldn't qualify to participate in their selection convention. So maybe George shouldn't get his hopes up.
When the West Belfast by-election might be held remains far from clear. Gerry Adams has written to the Speaker John Bercow to say he's stepping down. But he won't abide by the British tradition of MPs being unable to resign unless they apply for the "Chiltern hundreds".
On the face of it this presents a dillemma for the Speaker's office - if an outgoing MP is determined to flout parliamentary tradition, you would presume the Westminster authorities would try to find a way to ensure the electorate get a chance to choose a successor. However when I contacted the Speaker's office today all I got was a restatement of the "Chiltern hundreds" tradition as set out in the Commons bible Erskine May. This didn't answer the question, and the Speaker's office wouldn't add anything to it. Perhaps Mr Bercow will wait to see if the Sinn Fein President secures election to the Dail and then rule that he has disbarred himself from being an MP. Or maybe if he hears George Galloway is in the running, the Speaker might pretend the letter from Gerry Adams got lost in the post.
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~11~RS~)
I'm 
© 2012
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Wow Danny Morrison has a sense of humour ! Danny must think the people of West Belfast are performing monkeys, does he really think people still listen to him.
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If Gerry Adams wants to resign he has to write to George Osborne, asking to be made Steward of the Manor of Northstead. The Chiltern Hundreds and the Manor of Northstead are given in alternation and it's Northstead's turn. Writing to John Bercow asking to resign will be refused because of a Resolution of the House from March 1623/4 which said MPs couldn't resign.
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Surely both the Manor of Northstead and the Chiltern Hundreds are offices of profit under the Crown? This is why they are used by MPs to resign, as they immediately disqualify the holders from Parliament. Presumably Sinn Fein aren't going to accept anything under the Crown - office of profit or otherwise? Looks like we need another solution.
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3. woodhouseian
"Looks like we need another solution"
End partition and accept the will of the entire island, as in the 1918 general election which was ignored!!!
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4. DisgustedinDerry
Don't think the it's the will of the ENTIRE island, I recall a Majority of the Northern Irish population being quite happy to stay in the UK..
I also don't think the 1918 general election results can be considered an up-to-date measure of the will of the entire island either...
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The two nominal offices (Chiltern & Manor) that allow MP's to resign are "technicalities". There are other ways to forego a seat - ask Phil Woolas!
So Gerry could combine the "technicality" and "get thrown out for lying" facets, by pointing out something in his own campaign literature from the last election that wasn't true. Then, he could lose his seat with dignity! (Surely the Woolas decision makes it possible for ANY MP to resign!)
Any guesses about what GA could point to ? !
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6. Any guesses about what GA could point to ? !
He could point to the fact that he was elected to represent the people of West Belfast in the UK Parliament and has never taken his seat.
That should do it...
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He could always write a note on "Blether with Brian", the BBC's "Scotland" Political Blog.
Given his anti-unionist credentials, he'd be modded off immediately and never heard of again.
I know, I know, this posting removed because the moderators found that it broke the house rules.
Humourless.
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Inquisitor
"Don't think the it's the will of the ENTIRE island, I recall a Majority of the Northern Irish population being quite happy to stay in the UK"
At that time, that is 1918, Ireland was one state; one nation; Protestant, Catholic and dissenter; all Irish men and women. When a nation votes, according to democratic values, the Majority of the peoples' wishes shall be the way forward. Because the majority of people in Derry call it Derry, and perhaps the majority of N'Ireland call it Londonderry, should a majority of one region dictate the policy for the entire state.
Again, another clear example of the British allowing British/unionist terrorism to force the will of a few, ignoring the will of the vast majority!!!
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I am sure there are plenty of former Special Branch employees up for the job.
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Would Gerry be allowed to run in the South if his resignation from Westminster isn't accepted?
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Don,t worry his resignation will be accepted and he will be given an escort to the border.
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12. maxmerit
"he will be given an escort to the border"
That's right, and you're the big man who's going to escort him!!!
Typical unionist. Thinks he owns the place!!!
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