Black out on Red Ed
We were a bit taken by surprise by the Labour leader Ed Miliband's first visit to Northern Ireland, as his party didn't do the customary ring around in advance to tip off media outlets that their boss was in town.
But we weren't the only ones out of the loop - trying to check Mr Miliband's itinerary I put in a call this morning to Boyd Black, the Secretary of the Labour Party in Northern Ireland. Around teatime Boyd called me back, when it became patently obvious that local Labour supporters were even more in the dark about Ed's visit than us hacks.
Maybe we shouldn't be surprised - when he stood for election as leader Ed Miliband didn't sound convinced about local Labour activists' eagerness to contest elections. Questioned about this, he said "how the Conservatives went about it with their interventions in Northern Ireland politics before the election was a classic example of what not to do."
But at least when David Cameron flew over here he normally tipped off his own supporters in advance.
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~15~RS~)
I'm 
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Yeah project UCUNF was such a rip roaring success for the Tory party! You cannot really blame Mr Miliband for not wanting to make the same mistake.
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Didums. Perhaps he wanted to have some serious discussions or transact some serious business rather than have a photo-op and provide cheap copy for journos. Everyone wants serious politicians - until they get one and then they bitch.
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Red Ed won't even add up to a historical footnote. Quite a feat following on from a class A failure like The Broon.
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Yes, yes Mark.
But what does Jim Allister think of it all? (*Frown*; now I'll have to go to his site and decipher his barrister-speak for myself).
aaah, just kidding!
Although, to an extent you almost seem offended not to have been leaked his itinerary, eerr, I mean, "texted" his itinerary by his loyal staff.
Love, PieMan
P.S. Mark, you do love me back, don't you?
GOOD.
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You still concocted a story out of it though....
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Yet another tiresome blog entry.
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Yet to discover what exactly Red Ed stands for, much like our local party supremos. Well unless you count the desire for power, riches and the opportunity to bungle another local department or two! What will be left of the education system when we reach the start of the next term of office? Find me a hospital A&E that doesn't have a queue, or a road without a huge pothole or 7!
Maybe direct rule and some politicians without personality aren't such a bad thing afterall!
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Tom Elliott excepts project UCUNF is dead.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/uup-election-pact-with-the-tories-is-dead-says-tom-elliott-15109212.html
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