Mike Nesbitt’s Union 2021 article created controversy and drew significant comment. Even though Sidney is a neighbour of my extended family, I have to say his response is unworthy and yet another example as to why no one should seek to do deals with the DUP; Fair Deal’s reply is at least more sensible and reasoned. However, all of this is an aside – for the most significant part of Mike’s article was nearer the middle.
Mike writes: “A recent Life and Times survey revealed that people who live here are increasingly comfortable describing themselves as ‘Northern Irish’, without feeling any threat to their allegiance to GB or the RoI. Building our non-sectarian sense of Northern Irishness is a noble civic, social and political aspiration for 2021.”
He continues: “Fluid political combinations to promote economic and social policies may be what is required if we are ever to deliver a truly shared future, rather than the ‘shared out’ future the DUP and SF currently imagine in their Cohesion Sharing and Integration strategy paper. In 2010, our government endorses segregated housing, segregated education, segregated leisure spaces…”
Mike is by his own admission a political beginner, but he already qualifies as a senior Ulster Unionist, having managed Tom Elliott’s leadership campaign. Therefore, these two comments are extremely significant, in that they are both genuine and the first time a senior figure in the party (and someone unquestionably close to the new leader) has put pen to paper and demonstrated a true commitment to non-sectarian politics, a truly Shared Future, and breaking down segregation.
The truth is Mike Nesbitt’s contribution to Union 2021 was entirely in line with local Conservative Party thinking, whereas Laurence Robertson’s was off the wall. All of which gives significant food for ongoing thought…
mikes article was first class hes going to be an asset and will take votes from right across the commuity in strangford as will all uup candidates.
ian i said too you the uup are committed to non sectarian politics a shard future etc this proves it and as you say mikes going to be working with the new leader.Tom will surpise quite a lot of people as the party moves into the centre
Trevor Ringland dosn’t seemed as convinced! He isn’t on his own, the blogisphere is full of unhappy UUP supporters but lets wait and see.
clarion which uup members a couple of bloggers dont represent almost two and a half thousand membership.As for trevor ringland his outburst on the nolan show has gone down very badly and trevor has let himself down and he knows it.It might be that discpline will be taken i dont know if it will but i would support it.the uupare united it suits a few tories who are against anthing and anyone whos in the uup.One things for sure clarion you tories here are on life support and your days are numbered the uup i predict hopefully now will at least stablize.
with mike on board you will see the uup reaching out.while we in the uup want to try you few tories do nothing,
ian can i say this thread is excellent and i very much welcome your comments i doubt however if local tories will see it that way they tend to look for anything they can attack the uup with.the uup is about reaching out and mike is expressing it and you will see tom doing the same.
here is an excellent statement from new ulster unionist party leader tom elliott and he raises some really good points.
My vision for Northern Ireland – Tom Elliott
27/09/2010
Addressing some 1,000 members of the Ulster Unionist Party who made their way to Belfast’s Waterfront Hall on Wednesday, I heard their desire for change. Speaking with new members, not yet in the Party long enough to vote, I saw their interest and faith in our potential. Now, reflecting on the number of delegates, the standard of debate and the atmosphere of enthusiasm and passion, I am inspired.
Wednesday night proved that the Ulster Unionist Party – defying its detractors – is a vibrant, democratic and determined political party, and I am honoured to have been chosen as its Leader.
The Ulster Unionist Party has a long and proud history; we founded and nurtured Northern Ireland, secured the Union, brought this country peace, and have worked tirelessly in Government to deliver prosperity and a better future for everyone.
However, we cannot live in the past. Northern Ireland faces significant challenges, but I am convinced that a reinvigorated Ulster Unionist Party will be best placed to deliver the positive future that we all want and deserve. It is time to deliver good government, a vibrant economy and a truly shared future – not the Executive paralysis or the shared out future envisaged by the DUP and Sinn Fein in their current proposals for Cohesion Sharing and Integration.
Those who know me can have no doubt about my commitment to a shared future. I have worked for community groups from all backgrounds during my time as an elected representative in Fermanagh – including GAA clubs I hasten to add. But the revival of the Ulster Unionist Party and the future of Northern Ireland will not be measured by the number of times the Leader of the UUP attends a GAA match, any more than it would be by Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness holding a season ticket for Windsor Park.
Northern Ireland, like the rest of the United Kingdom, is in the grip of serious economic and fiscal upheaval. The forthcoming Comprehensive Spending Review has serious implications and it is appalling that some Executive Ministers are continuing to duck the issue. Whilst I do not expect Northern Ireland to be exempt from cuts, nor should we be shy of arguing our unique level of need. We must be prepared to take responsibility, but we need a manageable platform from which to deliver meaningful change to our public services and our economy.
The coalition Government must bring forward its proposals for rebalancing Northern Ireland’s economy as soon as possible. Devolving the power to reduce Corporation Tax is crucial, however we cannot focus exclusively on this issue. I am extremely pleased to see companies like the New York Stock Exchange invest here, but they must form part of a package that sees us support and develop our indigenous businesses. Research and development, skills and export markets must be given equal priority. Fundamental to all this is getting our local banks to lend to our local businesses.
A cohesive society relies on the work of volunteers and communities, and as a politician I have always valued Northern Ireland’s exemplary community and voluntary sector. They do immense work delivering services and support to vulnerable people in a way that is often not possible for Government Departments. Whilst no section of society or business that receives government money can be exempt from efficiencies or reviewing their working practices, we must empower and encourage the success of this vital sector.
The Ulster Unionist Party will also continue to fight for our Health Service – Northern Ireland’s biggest service provider and employer. While Departments led by the DUP and Sinn Fein have failed to deliver on their RPA responsibilities, Michael McGimpsey and the Health Service have delivered both reform and efficiencies. Now our most cherished service is in danger of being cut while we pay the price of stalled Local Government reform, the mess within education, and the wastage of hundreds of millions of pounds worth of potential savings. Do we, like our counterparts in England and Wales, not deserve protected investment in health?
As Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party I want to re-engage with the grassroots of Northern Ireland and deliver for local people, however I recognise that this will take time. The Ulster Unionist Party must rebuild its base, win back voters, seats and positions of power. This is the challenge I accepted on Wednesday night.
One thing I know for certain is that the only positive policy the DUP has ever promoted has been ours – to share power for the good of every citizen of this country. However, they wear our clothes uncomfortably. Unionism should be positive, at ease with itself and willing to work constructively with others, whilst defending its interests. Therein lies the Ulster Unionist Party’s strength, and the challenge that I am ready to face.
Nesbit’s other bit of tub-thumping is, of course, the UUP’s new angle on St. Anrews ‘we only had a referendum on the Belfast Agreement so lets have one for St. Andrews’
On that one, Elliott, Nesbitt and the rest of his goons are away with the faries
goons the only goons around here is you and peel nothing you say is off interest too anyone.its ever likely the ni tories are a joke the uup is on the inside you however major have alaways being on the outside presiding over pathatic 3 votes right across ni.You have no credibilty either mr major you a tory you having a laugh if the good people who view this blog didnt know major voted for an irish nationalist socialist at the last gen election.the tories are finished here major and youve played your part with your side kick blogger peel.in destroying them
just to quote it wasnt 3 votes right across ni it was 3000 votes for all tory candidates which major presided over.
Try to keep it civil and to the point, please!
I agree, Seymour. I simply do not understand why they keep going on about it – it’ll only make them look ineffectual when it doesn’t happen.
The latest DUP failure, this time on parades, is where the UUP’s focus must lie. Given the maths, the UUP could well come out of the Assembly Election with more seats than it goes into it – but it has to focus on the practicalities not the technicalities.
Working with the Conservatives (and Alliance, if Stephen Farry’s excellent piece on Saturday is anything to go by) on a proper plan for NI’s economy would be a good start.
ian i can understand you defending your ni tory colleague however he attacks tom mike and others in the uup caling them goons i merely responded which i am pefectly entitled to do.I should ask mr major your tory colleague to refrain from personally insulting good descent people.yet you didnt you have a go at me thatsfine ian i understand with him major being your tory colleague however i will not tolrate the likes of major who uses his blog in a nasty way to attack uup rank and file as does peel and other ni tories who back such vile comments.i will not tolrate it and willexpose such people every step of the way.
There are some people who, just because they cant take the ball from me, decide to kick me instead.
You have all this to come, Ian, when you next make a particularly adverse comment about the UUP and its leader.
As to parades, I think the UUP, having nailed their colours to the “dont devolve” mast are in the wrong location to trap the DUP in a political ambush.
However, should they get the location right and work out how to throw a political grenade at the DUP, Peter Robinson will do the equivalent of pulling the pin out and throwing it back!
My point wasn’t about parades, but about the DUP’s ongoing failure to deliver anything!
DUP/SF doesn’t work at all; the UUP is only relevant when it opposes it, and only irrelevant when it’s cosying up to it.
i agree with your comments ian its something i think tom mike and others will work hard to address.
no major i play the ball you spouted and attacked the man ie tom mike etc calling them goons with name calling so get your facts right as usual you are wrong no change there then.i merely retalited and tld the truh regarding the ni tories you can expect return fire if you persist you have personally in a nasty and vicous way attacked uup members etc i will expose you every step of the way.
You will find it refreshing in Birmingham next week Ian getting away from all of this and seeing real politics.
I really have very little interest in the internal politics of the UUP. I’m much more interested in the real outside world than these village squabbles.
I’m also interested in encouraging the people here to look outside the trenches and outside Northern Ireland. If they won’t accept the Conservative brand of it (and yes Paul I accept the 3,000 and the pathetic remarks)maybe Labour’s new arrival might have a interesting effect.
But there’s little point harping on about UUP bashing when almost all your postings are NI Tory bashing. Change the record mate.
i will change the record clarion when the likes of major changes his he made a remark by bashing the uup on parades which had nothing to do with this thread.i merely responded you yourself until recently were anti uup bashing so its a bit rich now you get some coming back your way you complain if major stops i will refrain from exposing him and other ni tories.i will not stand idly by and see him insult good descent uup people he uses his blog like peel does to do it i wont tolrate it.
Yes but I am making contributions on this website about the economy and suicide awareness Paul.
You seem stuck on one issue and its usually accompanied with abuse although admittedly its less directed at me now. In Seymours defence he hasn’t been abusive or insulting to you.
You only seem interested in attacking the NI Tories, its like a one man vendetta or obsession.
There is more to politics than all of this my friend.
major used his former blog as a battering ram to attack the uup he insulted members elected representatives etc just like peel indeed peels still at it check his recent threads.Major over the months went on a crusade to personally lambast and insult tom elliott his antics were disgracful there for i am more than happy to expose him.if he ceases i will also cease you are right there is more to life do try to get that through to our ni tory colleaue major and former ni sacked peel.ive had dozens of messages of support clarion saying well done for exposing the likes of major and peel who have done more damage to the future of the ni tories than anyone person could ever do.
just to add i will be shortly setting up my own blog on ni affairs.political parties etc
As I came under fire from the DUP for my contributon to the Newsletter’s Union 2021 series, I asked for, and was given, the right of reply by way of a letter, published today.by mike nesbitt
Dear Newsletter,
They say the only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about, so I am grateful to the DUP for the publicity generated by their response to my Union 2021 contribution, published by this newspaper on Friday of last week. One blog site described the DUP statement as “… one of the dumbest, most irrelevant, unnecessary and pathetic press statements I’ve ever seen from any unionist party.”
That’s not for me to say, but the premise of the DUP attack was based on a misreading or misunderstanding of the relative economics of the UK and RoI, past and present. This is disturbing, given the DUP hold the Finance portfolio in the devolved administration.
To their credit, the DUP statement did stick to a 40 year strategy of opting for character assassination over debating policy, by ignoring the meat of my article, which addressed the issue of the change to the rules governing the election of the First Minister brought about because of the St Andrews Agreement. You will recall this amended the Good Friday Agreement, which was boycotted by the DUP, but endorsed by the people by Referendum.
St Andrews enacted a fundamental constitutional change, agreed by the DUP and Sinn Féin, without reference back to the people. The change means that cross-community support is no longer required to elect NI’s First Minister and Deputy First Minister. It is now the largest single party that has the right to put their man or woman into the top post.
Our Prime Minister, David Cameron MP, has promised a referendum next time Europe proposes a constitutional change to the UK. It is only logical and consistent to offer the same right to the people of Northern Ireland, who voted for one thing by referendum, only to have another imposed by a cabal intent on promoting self-interest.
Let the people decide if they want to endorse the St Andrews change. If the DUP put the country first, they will work with us on this. If not, do not let them bring it up as an issue for the Assembly Elections next year.
I know very little about Seymours comments/actions to be fair, I’m more informed about Jeff Peel and while I agree with Jeff a lot he is a bit of a bull in a china shop. Enthusiasm lets call it!
Not sure if 2 wrongs make a right with battering rams but good luck!
I see that am being demonised by Paul. I will say the following in my defence.
Paul’s individual comments are not extremely abusive on their own. However, when even a small amount of abuse is repeated over and over again, it becomes serious abuse.
Of the 23 above comments I see that 15 of them have been written by Paul. This is an indication of a certain psychological behavioural pattern, although it would be for somebody qualified in behavioural sciences to provide an authoritative anyalisis of it.
I tolerated Paul’s vexatious commenting for a considerable time. In the end, I just got fed up with it and I banned him from commenting
I have produced my own commenting policy which can be read on my blog.
http://nicentreright.wordpress.com/commenting-policy/
I have indicated to Paul that he would be allowed to comment upon my blog if he was prepared to adhere to my commenting policy. He has declined that offer.
resorts to your usual antics hey major just like peel.the only people with psychological behaviour patterns/problems are you major and your side kick peel prehaps we can indeed get an expert too look into it.