Sinn Fein’s ongoing destruction of our education system (which is being aided and abetted by the DUP’s inability to stop Ruane) has claimed two casualties.
Neither Peter ‘Can I have an important job, please’ Weir, nor Michelle ‘I haven’t gone away you know’ McIlveen, seem capable of reading, let alone comprehending.
“The Ulster Unionist Party is split. Recent events prove that to be the case. Just over 2 weeks ago David McNarry launched a policy document the content of which was reported widely as detailing a new policy relating to a five year delay in the devolution of policing and justice powers and a commitment from any future Tory administration to a special contingency fund for Northern Ireland.
(McIllveen)
“Amidst great fanfare, the Ulster Unionists launched their recent policy document detailing a five year delay on the devolution of policing and justice powers to the Assembly and financial support from a future Tory administration by way of a contingency fund for Northern Ireland. At the time of the publication I asked if these policies had been cleared by the UUP’s Tory bosses. Reg Empey’s weekend comments would appear to indicate they had not.
In an unequivocal fashion the UUP leader stated that the five year delay in devolution of policing and justice powers, that was being reported in the media is not on the UUP’s agenda. Such a commitment was on their agenda a fortnight ago. They were lapping up press coverage on that basis, so what has changed? The UUP have turned tail in the space of a fortnight. Even for Cunningham House that must be some sort of a record!
(Weir - and by the way the UUP left Cunningham House some time ago!)
This Is What The UUP Document Said:
Any financial package for the transfer of policing and justice powers needs to be rigorously tested for its financial sustainability, risk management and contingency planning against potential shortfalls and it should be rolled out over a five year period initially being funded entirely by Westminster. Only then, on the basis of the outcomes of this five year period, should it be fully transferred.
From The Irish News On August 22:
Sir Reg made it clear that the UUP was not putting off the devolution of policing and justice..instead the UUP has raised the possibility of London continuing for a period to handle the financial side of policing and justice even if the actual powers were devolved to the north.
All seems fairly straightforward. Roll out policing and justice, but have it financially copper-fastened from the London end until we are sure we have sorted out potential problems.
No indication there of ‘a five year delay’.
Maybe Peter and Michelle think that if they keep inventing things that voters will forget the DUP’s talk of ‘a political lifetime before policing and justice devolution.’
Speaking on the Nolan Show on Tuesday August 18, Jeffrey Donaldson said that Pol Brennan shouldn't be allowed to get any benefit from the Good Friday Agreement Early Release scheme because 'he hadn't renounced violence.'
Martin McGuinness has never renounced violence. Gerry Kelly (like Brennan, a former Maze escapee) hasn't renounced violence.
Indeed, in February this year---when he was still a co-equal Junior Minister with Donaldson---Gerry Kelly described IRA terrorists as 'decent, selfless and honourable.'
No Sinn Fein member of the Executive and no Sinn Fein MLA has renounced violence.
Donaldson also told Nolan that he had never supported the Belfast Agreement or early release and that he wished he could rewrite history.
Fine, it may not be possible to rewrite history, but if Mr. Donaldson really had such deep moral objections to all of this then why did he take a Junior Ministerial role with Gerry Kelly and why does he support a DUP deal which allows Sinn Fein joint control and veto over a Policing and Justice puppet minister? If these people haven't renounced violence why is Donaldson facilitating their P & J agenda?
So, it might be a good idea if Jeffrey---rather than continuing to attack a party he left five years ago---explained to people how he manages to reconcile his previous objections with his willingness now to endorse a DUP-Sinn Fein strategy for every aspect of government in Northern Ireland.
Peter 'Please Don't Forget About Me' Weir has been wheeled out by the DUP for the only job they ever let him do - having a pop at the UUP.
This time he's accusing the UUP of being out of sync with the Conservatives on the subject of devolving Policing and Justice. Not half as out of sync as is the DUP, which promised that Sinn Fein was unlikely to have a say in P&J in a 'political lifetime' and has now rolled over and given them a puppet minister, joint control and a stop-everything-if-we-don't-like-it veto. But hey, Peter 'Really, I could Do A Very Good Job At Something' Weir is happier to please Sinn Fein than winning unionist confidence for P & J devolution.
Also, he is out of sync with colleague Arlene Foster (who is trusted by the DUP to do responsible jobs) who says: "Peter Robinson has already said that P & J powers can only be devolved when there is community confidence to support the move. This includes the UUP."
And he's also out of sync with Sinn Fein (who signed off on a deal with the DUP in November 2008--as a price of Sinn Fein allowing the Executive to meet after 155 days) who said: "This process is moving ahead, with or without the UUP."
So Peter 'Wasn't I Once A Big Noise In The UUP' Weir should lay off his former colleagues and take a closer look at how much control Martin McGuinness has over Peter Robinson, the DUP and the Executive itself. Did he really choose to leave the UUP in preference for an 'Themselves Alone' pact between Sinn Fein and the DUP---neither of whom is prepared to give him a real job?!
Three months ago the DUP warned of the perils of the UUP/Conservatives scrapping the Barnett Formula.
Yet a report issued on July 16, calling for the scrapping of the Barnett Formula has been welcomed by the DUP’s Finance Minister.
Honestly, guys, could you make up your mind on something and then just stick with it!!
At the time UCUNF was first mooted, senior Ulster Unionists, including David Burnside, claimed that it would mean more money for Northern Ireland . The latest disturbing comments from Tory spokesman Owen Paterson contradict those claims. Despite Ulster Unionist protestations that it was not the case, their Tory pay-masters have now openly declared it is their intention to initiate cuts in Northern Ireland . The Barnett Formula which sets the size of our block grant from the Treasury, has never been favoured by the Tories. A move away from the Barnett Formula would undoubtedly result in a smaller slice of the cake for Northern Ireland and less money for our roads, schools and hospitals.
(Arlene Foster: April 2009)
The plans of the Tory Party to scrap the Barnett Formula have serious implications for Northern Ireland. This week we have seen some UUP figures running to the media to express their concern about cuts to the Northern Ireland block grant, yet they are in a political alliance with a party that is committed to imposing massive cuts on our block grant allocation. This is not some minor point of emphasis we are talking about. Senior Tories want to take millions away from Ulster’s roads, schools, hospitals and social housing. It is for Reg Empey to justify that position.
(David Simpson: April 2009)
Stormont Finance Minister Sammy Wilson welcomed the report and said it showed that Northern Ireland had received less money in recent years than it was entitled to.
The report is saying what we have always believed - if you take account of needs, Northern Ireland should get more public money," he said.
"Because of levels of deprivation, levels of income, the amount of infrastructure work that needs to be done and also because of the legacy of the Troubles where there was massive underinvestment in infrastructure because of the money that went into security, I think the report simply bears out what we in Northern Ireland know to be the case."
MP's are allowed to claim for items which are 'wholly, exclusively and necessarily' relating to Parliamentary duty.
Jeffrey Donaldson claimed for 68 pay-per-view films at a cost of around £600!
Here on POF we found ourselves wondering what he watched?
The Pound of Music
Poundhog Day
An Inconvenient Truth
Not Home Alone
No Sense and Sensibility
What Happens In Vegas (can still be charged to the UK taxpayer)
Born Freebie
Not Cheaper By The Dozen
Swish Family Robinson
The Postman Always Rings Twice (when he has big cheques from the Fees Office)
Batman and Robin The Taxpayer
Cashablanca
Strangers on a gravy train
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde it in the expenses
Gold Diggers
Bedknobs and Chequebooks
Not Quite Total Recall
The Jane Austen Chequebook Club
What Lies Beneath
Be kind, rewind (before you submit the claim)
The Kerching! and I
Midnight (American) Express
The Cable Guy
Midnight Cowboy
Horton Hears a Whoohoo! ---I can claim for this as well
A Series of Unfortunate Events
It’s A Wonderful Life (as an MP)
Dumbo
The Incredibles (Jeffrey’s list of claims)
Ocean’s 11 (vs Jeffrey’s 68)
How To Lose Friends and Alienate People
Get Shorty (The Daily Telegraph already has!)
What Peter Robinson has done doesn't, in any real sense of the term, amount to a reshuffle. Two ministers refused to budge. A former one had to be brought back to keep the troops happy. Donaldson was shafted and thrown to the grassroots wolves. A previously anonymous MLA was drafted in to get some publicity for himself. Nelson McCausland (another former UUP) has been given the task of keeping Ulster-Scots and Irish speakers happy.
* There's still no accountability at the heart of government.
* There's still no resolution of the Ruane problem.
* There's still no recognition by Robinson that he, personally, is responsible for the DUP's electoral implosion.
This is a panic-driven, talent-light, problem-avoiding, shifting of the furniture.
Edwin Poots: A flat-earther brought back to the Executive Committee because it pleases the evangelical wing of the DUP. No discernable form or expertise in the area at all.
Arlene Foster: Point blank refused to move from Enterprise because she knows nothing about finance and doesn't want to carry the can for more bad economic news. Robinson doesn't have any other woman to promote so wasn't able to face her down. Will continue to do what she has been doing: lots of photo-ops and being wheeled around the TV studios to put the boot into the UUP as required.
Robin Newton: Brought in to build-up his profile for East Belfast at next General Election. At 63, hardly evidence of the 'unrivalled backbench talent' which Robinson boasted of a few weeks ago. Slap in the face for ex-UUP Simon Hamilton.
Nelson McCausland: Sinn Fein will be delighted. Every time the DUP appoint a so-called 'hard-liner' it's a signal that another rollover is in the offing. Prepare for massive concessions to Irish Language in exchange for massive funding to Ulster-Scots and the building of a new tower of babel in which they can jibber-jabber at each other.
Sammy Wilson: Refused to play along with Robinson's stuff about double-jobbing and also refused to be pushed from the Executive. So Robinson justifies his promotion to Finance by saying he taught A Level Economics! Did he apply that sort of logic to every other appointment? Clearly not, or he would have had to put Jim Wells into Environment. Anyway, it will be good to see Sammy at the dispatch box with his Economics Revision Guide in one hand and Frank Carson joke book in the other.
Jeffrey Donaldson: Shafted because he messed-up the Dromore by-election and then the Euro election. Jeffrey is in a unique position. He almost wrecked the UUP in his time there: and now, as the DUP's Director of Elections, he is in the process of wrecking it, too!
Peter Weir: That's right---ignored again.
The Reality:
DUP Collapsing
Sinn Fein In Joint Control Of The Executive
Panic-Driven Reshuffles
Lie After Lie From The DUP Leadership
The DUP is a party that was raised up from grassroots Unionists. We will not be falling into the complacency that has afflicted others. We are well aware of the various factors which have affected the outcome of this result and we will be addressing those factors immediately. The truth is that a three way split in Unionism allowed Sinn Fein to get to the top of the poll.
"The next province wide electoral contest which is first past the post and does not allow the luxury of PR must not be allowed to help Sinn Fein to advance. The DUP will not disguise our disappointment at the outcome of the European election. We recognise that Unionism has been damaged by the infighting during this election.
"For our part, we will ensure that we reconnect with the Unionist electorate who did not vote as well as others to ensure that Unionism wins in future electoral battles. Unionism PLC, which is bigger than any one party or individual will only advance if everyone faces up to the reality of the situation facing us.
(Gregory Campbell: June 11)
That 'three way split in unionism' was caused by the DUP! The TUV is a party of their creation.
'The next province wide electoral contest which is first past the post...must not be allowed to help Sinn Fein to advance.'
Have the DUP learned nothing from the Euro result? STOP TALKING-UP SINN FEIN.
'Unionism PLC, which is bigger than any one party or individual will only advance if everyone faces up to the reality of the situation facing us."
The reality of the situation facing us is that the DUP is trapped in an Executive in which Sinn Fein has a veto over every aspect of business: and in which nothing can be done without Sinn Fein approval.
The reality of the situation facing us is that DUP stupidity, vote-splitting and scaremongering allowed Sinn Fein to top the Euro poll.
The reality of the situation facing us is that Peter Robinson has been pushed into a panic-driven reshuffle.
The reality of the situation facing us is that the DUP has singularly failed to deliver a better deal and has, instead, bolstered Sinn Fein at the heart of government.
This was Peter Robinson’s eve of poll message:
“The election on Thursday offers unionists the opportunity to ensure that the voice of Northern Ireland in Europe is still a unionist one. All the pundits and the latest opinion polling demonstrate that it is tight at the top with the DUP or Sinn Fein to top the poll and all the others well behind. It’s a clear choice for Northern Ireland.
"Only Diane Dodds and the DUP can prevent Sinn Fein topping the poll for republicanism. Only a vote for Diane Dodds can deny Sinn Fein being able to claim to speak for Northern Ireland.
Well, Mr. Robinson, the electorate did make a clear choice: and that choice was that the DUP is no longer the majority voice for unionism in Northern Ireland.
The DUP didn’t prevent Sinn Fein from topping the poll and the other unionist parties were not "well behind."
Any chance that you will shuffle yourself out of office? Dromore was an upset for the DUP. This is a disaster for
you, personally.
Peter Robinson says that the DUP lost votes because its members were too busy providing government instead of keeping in contact with their core vote.
Well, they weren't providing much government when Sinn Fein closed down the Executive for 155 days.
They haven't been providing any government when it comes to Caitriona Ruane.
They weren't so busy that they couldn't find the time for double and triple jobbing.
They managed to find the time to claim expenses for food, hotels and flat screen televisions.
Has it dawned on the DUP that the loss of half their vote has something to do with the form of government they were providing?
And the biggest Pants On Fire turned out to be that Diane Dodds ('The Only Unionist Who Can Top The Poll') scraped in without reaching the quota!
1997: "There are no circumstances now, or in the future, in which the DUP would engage with Sinn Fein or share power with Sinn Fein." (Ian Paisley)
1998: "The DUP will destroy all of the structures of the Belfast Agreement including a mandatory coalition which allows Sinn Fein into government as of right." (Peter Robinson)
1999: "The UUP may have made the journey from sharing TV studios to sharing office with Sinn Fein/IRA; the DUP will not be making that journey." (Gregory Campbell)
2000: "The DUP will put Sinn Fein out of government and the DUP will keep Sinn Fein out of government." (Sammy Wilson)
2001: "The UUP spin doctors say that the DUP is 'gagging' to become the lead party of unionism so that it can do its own deal with Sinn Fein. Yes, the DUP wants to be the lead party of unionism---but only because that's the only way of getting Sinn Fein out of our government." (Ian Paisley Jnr)
2002: "The real unionists of Ulster know that it is only the DUP which will rid us of the structures which put Sinn Fein into government here." (Edwin Poots)
2003: "The DUP will never allow Sinn Fein to set or control the political agenda. Those days are coming to a close." (Jeffrey Donaldson--shortly after joining the DUP)
2004: "Jim Allister is a worthy successor for Ian Paisley. Like him, he is a man of utter principle and integrity." (Peter Robinson)
2005: "The DUP is promising a fairer deal that will see unionism emerge stronger and be free of Sinn Fein's interference and political blackmail." (Arlene Foster)
2006: "Sinn Fein is weaker today than ever before." (Peter Weir)
2007: "A vote for the DUP is a vote for a deal in which Sinn Fein is marginalised---unable ever again to dictate to unionists." (William McCrea)
2008: "It will be a political lifetime before the conditions exist for the devolution of Policing and Justice." (Nigel Dodds)
2009: "The DUP doesn't believe in attacking other unionist parties." (Diane Dodds)
You heard what they said. You saw what they did.
On June 4---let the DUP what you really think of them by voting for Jim Nicholson.
"If de Brun does top the poll, the DUP will, in the words of Dodds, see it as a defeat and humiliation for unionism which they will blame on Allister and Nicholson. They will argue that if Sinn Fein manages to outpoll the DUP in the next Assembly election it will, under the deal they negotiated at St Andrews, mean Martin McGuinness emerging as First Minister. The message will be that a vote for any other unionist is a vote for McGuinness."
(Liam Clarke)
It was the DUP which agreed to Sinn Fein's request at St Andrews to change the legislation and allow the leader of the largest party---rather than the leader from the largest bloc---to become First Minister.
The DUP also built in mutual veto---just in case Sinn Fein did beat them further down the line. How's that for a better deal?!
The DUP is now using its own stupidity as a form of blackmail.
What happened to the DUP's talk about 'unionist confidence', the 'DUP driving the agenda' and having the 'best policies'? If all that were true the DUP would not now be running a campaign based entirely on scare tactics.
And were you unfortunate enough to watch 'Hearts and Minds' on Thursday and 'The Politics Show' on Sunday, and Diane Dodds' shrill, single transferable answer to every question, you would be forgiven for assuming that the DUP website had changed its' name to www.dup2whinge.com
If Sinn Fein does top the poll it will be entirely the DUP's fault. It will be because thousands of former DUP voters now regard the party as greedy, arrogant and disingenuous. It will be because the DUP itself is splitting the vote by challenging the two sitting unionist MEPs.
Just as the DUP's intervention in Fermanagh/South Tyrone in 2001 and South Belfast in 2005 lost two Westminster seats, so their stupidity now could also damage unionism.
"The current 108 Stormont Assembly Members was an artificial figure contrived to assist the fringe parties. A total of 54 or 72 would be more appropriate.." (DUP Euro Manifesto)
Has anyone told Robin Newton, Nelson McCausland, David Hilditch, Mervyn Storey, Trevor Clarke, Peter Weir, Lord Morrow, Jonathan Craig, George Robinson, Adrian McQuillan, William Irwin, Jim Shannon, Michelle McIllveen, Allan Bresland and Stephen Moutray? They are the DUP MLAs who are the most likely casualties of a cut in the number of MLAs.
All of them---along with about 100 Councillors lost under the new SF/DUP local government proposals---are to be sacrificed to a deal concocted between Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness.
A reduction to 54 or 72 would, or so Sinn Fein and the DUP believe, concentrate over 90% of power and office in their hands.
The DUP has given up on driving a Unionist agenda. Instead, it has opted for mutual veto, joint control and an 'Themselves Alone' pact with Sinn Fein.
Everything the DUP does now is done in the name of appeasing Sinn Fein. And if that means dumping their own MLAs, Councillors and unionists from 'fringe parties', then that is a price Peter Robinson seems willing to pay.
“Unlike the period after 1998 where nationalist ministers were free to follow their own agendas, today the Unionist dominated Executive must approve any major decisions”
- Did the Unionist dominated Executive approve what Ruane has done?
- Did the Unionist dominated Executive approve 155 days of non-meetings?
- Did the Unionist dominated Executive approve Sinn Fein having joint control over Policing and Justice?
“We have always opposed unnecessary political bureaucracy and argued for a move to a more normal form of government in Northern Ireland. However, this will only be achieved through the existing political structure and discussion with other political parties. We have a clear agenda in this area and have already begun to succeed”
- Why didn’t they do it at St Andrews?
- Why haven’t they introduced the necessary legislation since May 2007?
- Isn’t it the case that the DUP can do nothing without Sinn Fein - having gifted them the power of mutual veto?
“The DUP will continue to press for a transfer test to be regulated by the Department of Education. However, we have been left by the minister with a system of unregulated entrance tests. Although not ideal, this is not the chaos some would attempt to claim”
- Try telling P6 parents that this is not chaos! This is chaos!
- AQE schools opted out
- Catholic sector opted out
- Primary schools preparing for entrance tests in ‘secret’
- Thanks to the mutual veto the DUP can do nothing but ‘continue to press’. The minister is unaccountable and uncontrollable.
- Despite DUP claims that they have control of Sinn Fein they have done nothing to take control of this situation! Because they can’t!
“What others are saying”
The ‘others’ quoted in the DUP manifesto are the Irish Times, Irish Examiner, Irish News, 3 SDLP MLAs and 2 chopped out bits from editorials.
Isn’t it odd that the DUP didn’t actually have a quote of support from unionists or pro-Union commentators!
“For the first time since 1972, unionists have control over decision-making in Northern Ireland”.
That is a lie. Control implies the ability to deliver your own agenda
So the DUP have control over the transfer tests!
How on earth can they claim to have control over decision making when they couldn’t even arrange an Executive meeting where decision-making takes place!
What we have in Northern Ireland is joint control and mutual veto. The DUP can’t even break wind without McGuinness’s approval.
"Unlike others, whose contribution to defeating Republicanism consists of issuing angry press statements, we are taking the fight to Sinn Fein and winning, day after day inside the Assembly." (Sammy Wilson: May 18)
Day after day: What about the 155 days last year when the Executive couldn’t even meet?
And why would the DUP issue ‘angry’ press statements about Sinn Fein anyway? They are so deeply embedded with them they have taken ‘Stockholm Syndrome’ to a whole new level.
"People know and understand that in an election that will be close and with so much at stake, a vote for a splitter candidate will be helping Sinn Fein in their quest to get to win the election. The DUP alone stands in the way of a Sinn Fein victory. I urge everyone in Northern Ireland to rally to Diane Dodds campaign and ensure that Unionism keeps on winning in Northern Ireland." (Sammy Wilson: May 18)
A ‘splitter’ candidate! Jim Nicholson and Jim Allister are the sitting unionist MEPs. It is Diane Dodds who is splitting the vote this time. The DUP helped to split the vote in Fermanagh/South Tyrone in 2001 and in South Belfast in 2005. Both seats were lost to unionism.
How does the DUP stand in the way of a Sinn Fein victory? The DUP has given Sinn Fein a mutual veto and a co-equal First Minister. The DUP has given Sinn Fein joint control of Policing and Justice. The DUP has allowed Sinn Fein to wreck our education system. The DUP has given Sinn Fein a right of veto on every single aspect of Executive policy.
The DUP can do nothing, absolutely nothing, without a nod of approval from Sinn Fein.
On May 18 Mark Brooks, Chairman of the North Down Ulster Unionist Association ‘defected’ to the DUP.
“I wish to thank the DUP for the warm welcome I have received into its ranks. I look forward to working with men and woman who have Northern Ireland and its people at their heart. Diane Dodds is the best person to represent Northern Ireland on the European stage and I am proud today to nail my colours to the mast with the DUP as the party for real unionism. (Mark Brooks)
“Mark’s decision underscores the advances being made by the DUP and is a vote of confidence in the strong leadership which the Party is providing as we work towards a better Northern Ireland within the United Kingdom. I am happy that Mark is going to become part of this winning team.” (Jim Shannon MLA)
“Mark is from North Down therefore as MLA for the area I’m glad to welcome him into the DUP. By joining with us he has put unionism first and recognised that the DUP strategy can strengthen our position within the United Kingdom and deliver a unionist revival.” (Alex. Easton MLA)
So how come the DUP now says that Mr. Brooks isn’t a member of their party? How come such a high profile ‘defector’ wasn’t the subject of photo-opportunities with Peter Robinson? How come the DUP has gone 100% silent and removed Jim Shannon’s welcoming statement from the DUP website?
An actual defector or just another Pants On Fire claim from the DUP?
“A confident unionism is now in control of the agenda and Sinn Fein knows that”
(Peter Robinson: May 2008)
Pants On Fire, Peter? This is what Martin McGuinness said last Sunday:
“So when you see the Assembly on TV, or look at Gerry Adams or Bairbre de Brún or myself in the media, always remember this: standing at our shoulders are the women and the men who stood at the front of the struggle when there was no alternative option but war, and who – when the time was right – had the courage and commitment and skills to create the new phase of peaceful and democratic change into which we have successfully led this society.
“In particular, the last two years have witnessed the DUP:
- being brought into an inclusive power sharing Executive - with Sinn Féin;
- being brought into the daily operations of the all-Ireland Ministerial Council – with Sinn Féin; and,
- being brought into the joint First Ministers’ office – with Sinn Féin.
“Until two years ago, the DUP told everyone they would never accept such an outcome and that they would bury the Good Friday Agreement.
“So the DUP have found out a big lesson in the last two years: when Sinn Féin negotiate - we deliver.
“Two decades ago, the DUP had built its hardline reputation on gun licences on hillsides; red berets and blackthorn sticks; ‘Smash Sinn Féin’ slogans and sledge hammers; cheerleading the assassination of nationalists and republicans; and ‘never, never, never’ politics.
“Who would ever have believed in 1999 that the very same DUP would be left with no other option than to embrace an inclusive, power-sharing, all-Ireland framework of political institutions as the joint equal partner with Sinn Féin on terms set out by the Good Friday Agreement?
“Who would ever have believed in 1999 that we would now have legislation which leaves the DUP with no other option than, when addressing the needs of victims, to recognise that the relatives of IRA volunteers killed on active service are absolutely equal - absolutely equal - to the relatives of Crown forces personnel killed by the IRA?
“Who would ever have believed in 1999 that developments on the Justice front would demand that the appointment of the most senior law officer in the six counties – the new position of Attorney General – needed the joint approval of the Sinn Féin and the DUP joint First Ministers?
Need a bucket of water for your pants, Peter?
Ongoing revelations about Peter and Iris Robinson's expenses suggest that we have moved from the era of 'Big House' unionism to the era of three house unionism (with mansion to follow).
There is an arrogance and greed sweeping through and seeping through the DUP. They claim to be the only unionist party capable of topping the poll. They insist that they have done a deal which is ‘good for unionism’. They now believe that power and elected office should be theirs of right.
The facts tell a different story.
- It was the DUP’s intervention in Fermanagh/South Tryrone in the 2001 General Election which allowed Sinn Fein to win the seat.
- It was the DUP’s intervention in South Belfast in the 2005 General Election which allowed the SDLP to win the seat.
- The DUP’s arrogance and greed lost unionism two seats, yet the DUP has the brassneck to now talk of an electoral pact to win them back!
- The DUP has gone further with Sinn Fein than the UUP ever did---with a co-equal First Minister and a total of five Sinn Fein Ministers at the heart of our government.
- The DUP inserted a ‘mutual veto’ provision into the St Andrews Agreement---giving Sinn Fein a veto over every single aspect of Executive business.
- The DUP is unable to prevent Sinn Fein from destroying our education system: and that lack of power has forced our world-class grammar schools to opt out and provide their own tests.
- The DUP has done a deal with Sinn Fein on Policing and Justice (in return for Martin McGuinness allowing Peter Robinson to recall the Executive after 155 days) which prohibits a unionist from taking the job before 2012, puts a puppet minister in office and allows Sinn Fein a veto on every Policing and Justice issue.
DUP topping the poll will be a green light---a very green light!--- for the continuation of the Sinn Fein/DUP ‘Themselves Alone’ pact.
“As I told the press several months ago - and reinforced only last week - I am determined to phase out this practice (of double-jobbing) which most agree has been essential in the early stages of our devolved institutions.”
So why didn’t the DUP vote for the UUP’s motion in March to “bring forward legislation to prohibit dual mandates in devolved institutions”?
Why did five of their MLAs—including Gregory Campbell--- get up in the Assembly and defend double-jobbing?
Why is Robinson hanging about on this issue? Every double-jobbing DUP MLA could stand down tomorrow and be replaced (without a by-election) within three weeks.
This is panic mode politics from the DUP and another example of their DUPlication tactics. Not content with stealing UUP clothes they are now stealing Conservative Party clothes as well.
“Several months ago” the DUP backed double-jobbing—along with their Sinn Fein colleagues. Today they have been bounced into a spectacular u-turn by David Cameron’s intervention. Who says that change isn’t coming!
Anyway, while Peter is practically begging to be taken seriously by David Cameron, the next Prime Minister of the United Kingdom came to Northern Ireland to campaign with the UUP----the party he clearly regards as the genuine, credible voice of Unionism.
“We will kill the Belfast Agreement.”
“The DUP will never sit in government with Sinn Fein”
“Sinn Fein will never have a veto on government here”
“The DUP has no difficulty voting for double-jobbing”
Are you beginning to see a pattern in what happened to each of those positions?
Peter Robinson:
"I very much welcome his contribution to widening the debate. I am also certain that David recognises the importance of any Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, particularly one who is a unionist, being able to work together with the leader of unionism in Northern Ireland. I know that he and I will be able to navigate the intricacy of his association with a party which represents only a small section of unionism and we both work to address, in an ongoing realtionship, the interests of the Union."
Short of rolling over on his back and asking David Cameron to tickle his tummy, it's hard to imagine Peter being any more grovelling!
Can we now assume that the attacks on " sweeping Tory cuts" will end?
Can we assume that the DUP will stop talking about Conservatives "not being trusted on the Union"?
Can we assume that the DUP hypocrisy on the double-jobbing issue (they voted against it a few weeks ago) will end?
As ever, where the UUP heads, the DUP will follow.
Their approach to politics isn't just imitation----it's DUPlication!
The DUP has averaged one attack a day on the UUP since Mrs Dodds was nominated.
They have averaged one attack a week on Sinn Fein.
* There is a Sinn Fein co-equal First Minister. That wasn't the case prior to 2007
* There are five Sinn Fein Ministers/Junior Minister. There were only 2 prior to 2007.
* Sinn Fein has a veto over Executive business. It didn't have that prior to 2007.
* Peter Robinson needs Martin McGuinness's permission to call the Executive.
The DUP is clearly losing the battle with Sinn Fein!
"I'm the only unionist who can top the poll" (Diane Dodds)
That's a lie.
There are two other unionist candidates and either one of them could top the poll.
It's the electorate who decide, Diane, not you.
Last year Peter Robinson claimed that the "DUP would bring value for money."
From today's Daily Telegraph's story on the Robinsons' parliamentary expenses:
"The second homes allowance claims included £30,525 on food between 2004 and 2008, with the couple claiming the maximum £400 per month each in most months".
This is despite the fact that the since 2005 Peter Robinson has been present for only 37.4% of parliamentary votes and Iris for only 28.4%.
So - on top of the £571,939 tax-payer funded salaries of the Robinson family - Peter and Iris claimed the maximum food allowance while being present in Parliament for only 1/3rd of the time.
By the way, the average UK family food bill is calculated to be £100 per week for a family of four, equating to £5,200 per year. Peter and Iris' average yearly food bill for part-time parliamentary attendance - 2/3 days a week at most - is a whopping £6105.
So where, exactly, is the "value for money"?
The DUP has issued a document in which it claims that some of its ‘double-jobbing MPs’ will be standing down before the next election.
But why did they vote against a UUP motion in March which called on the government to “bring forward legislation to prohibit dual mandates in devolved institutions…”?
And these are the views of their MLAs during the debate:
Michelle Mcilveen:
"If the First Minister were to be excluded from being an MP, that may weaken Northern Ireland’s lobbying position at Westminster. The DUP does not send a B-team to represent Northern Ireland’s interests ... The motion is premature ... it is up to the electorate to decide".
Peter Weir
"Between 1921 and 1972, throughout the term of the old Stormont, there was, in effect, a convention that meant that only on rare occasions did someone hold a dual mandate. Was that good for unionism? Were Northern Ireland’s interests best protected, particularly from a unionist perspective, when the country plunged into difficulties in the 1960s? Did we benefit from having the B team at Westminster? The answer is no; we were utterly unprepared and, indeed, we failed to have any of our big hitters at Westminster ... I do not have a problem with dual mandates ...Can we not let the people decide who they elect and who they do not elect?"
But in fact ....Academic selection has not been preserved by the DUP or the Programme for Government. Academic selection has been preserved because the grammar schools themselves have opted out and set up their own transfer arrangements.
The DUP's inability to hold Ruane to account, or to put through their own policy on academic selection, has meant that all of NI's grammar schools have had to form their own support groups and act independently of the system.
The DUP doesn't even have the authority to get rid of the most incompetent minister in the very Executive Commitee they claim to control!
The DUP makes two claims: "We will have control over any future Justice Minister and devolution of policing and justice will be on DUP terms and when the DUP decides."
But like so much of what the DUP claims, this is actually half-truth at best. For as with every other aspect of the 'Themselves Alone' pact they have with Sinn Fein, there will be mutual veto when it comes to Policing and Justice. In other words, the DUP will be able to do nothing without Sinn Fein's approval.
So far, Sinn Fein has already vetoed any Unionist holding the post of Justice Minister. It has made the DUP rule itself until 2012 at the earliest, and by jointly offering the post to the Alliance Party, it is now impossible to have such a crucially important post in unionist hands at all in the early stages.
And let's be honest: the Alliance Party is not a unionist party. There are many who would even question if it is a genuinely and unambiguously pro-Union party!
Yet the DUP seems content to place Justice and Policing in the hands of a Puppet Minister. Worse than that, a Puppet Minister whose strings will be jointly pulled by Sinn Fein. And since both Gerry Kelly and Bairbre de Brun have recently described dead IRA terrorists as 'selfless and honourable", we have a fair indication of what their view on security matters will be.
The DUP are being thoroughly disingenuous on this matter. The DUP will not have control over any future Justice Minister. It has no control over the timing of legislation. It can do nothing whatsoever without the nod of approval from Martin McGuinness.
The DUP may claim to be "driving the agenda." But that claim has the same sort of authority as a Learner Driver claiming to be in total control of the car during the lessons. There is always someone else with an extra brake sitting along side them!
But in fact ....That majority exists because of the UUP's presence in the Executive Committee. Without Sir Reg Empey and Michael McGimpsey there would not be a Unionist majority.
The DUP certainly didn't deliver it alone.
Does that mean ....That the DUP is taking personal responsibility for the damage being done to our education system by Catriona Ruane?
Is the DUP standing over identical comments by Junior Minister Gerry Kelly and Bairbre de Brun that IRA terrorists killed in action were "honourable and selfless"?
Could Mrs Dodds explain why Peter Robinson couldn't actually convene a meeting of the Executive Committee for six months?