Politics: Policy making in political parties
Thursday, March 1st, 2012Devolution has increased the influence of policy formulated by local politicians. Peter Cheney examines how the political parties make decisions and the ‘dos and don’ts’ when lobbying. Much of the research behind manifestos and ministerial announcements is done by staff behind the scenes. While policy officers tend to avoid publicity, their work is having an increasing impact on how Northern Ireland is run as devolution settles down. Policy officers and Assembly spokespeople are generally the best contact points for proposals affecting the whole region (as opposed...[full story]
Politics: Assembly round-up
Thursday, March 1st, 2012A Marine Bill was added to the short list of legislation to be undertaken by the Assembly, which largely spent the month debating the Budget and welfare reform. February’s proceedings began on Accession Day (6 February), with Peter Robinson congratulating Queen Elizabeth on the 60th anniversary of her accession to the throne: “yet another remarkable milestone in her reign.” Representatives from Alliance, the UUP and SDLP joined in the congratulations. Apart from a Budget Bill (which is compulsory) and a Rates (Amendment) Bill, only two bills (Pensions and Marine) have been progressed...[full story]
Assembly: Ulster Unionist reshuffle
Thursday, March 1st, 2012Following the resignation of Strangford MLA David McNarry, UUP leader Tom Elliott appointed Mike Nesbitt in his place as the party’s education spokesman. Sandra Overend, in turn, takes Nesbitt’s enterprise, portfolio. The UUP currently has 15 MLAs, 97 councillors, one MEP and four peers. Portfolio Name Leader Tom Elliott Deputy Leader of Assembly Group John McCallister Agriculture and Rural Development Jo-Anne Dobson Culture, Arts and Leisure Robin Swann Education Mike Nesbitt Employment and Learning Basil McCrea Enterprise, Trade and Investment Sandra Overend Environment Danny...[full story]
Meet the media: Tara Mills
Thursday, March 1st, 2012BBC Northern Ireland’s Tara Mills presents Sunday Politics and Stormont Today on Monday and Tuesday nights. She shares her passion for politics and the need to give viewers a voice by holding their representatives to account. What sparked your interest in journalism? I’ve always had a passion for politics and the news. As a child I remember being fixated and slightly scared of the BBC’s WD Flackes. It definitely runs in the family. My mum and dad always watched the news and read the papers. My brother Richard was a war photographer for The Times so the...[full story]
Political Platform: Colum Eastwood, MLA
Thursday, March 1st, 2012Colum Eastwood is an SDLP MLA for Foyle, and a former Derry City councillor for Shantallow (2005-2011). He was Derry’s youngest Mayor, aged 27, in 2010-2011. At Stormont, he sits on the OFMDFM Committee (as party spokesman on that remit) and the Justice Committee. He is also Assembly Private Secretary to Environment Minister Alex Attwood. How did you get started in politics? It was the signing of the Good Friday Agreement which initiated my active participation in politics. I joined the SDLP young and became immersed in all the activities which followed as...[full story]
Draft Programme for Government: Reform
Thursday, December 22nd, 2011Progress is promised on reforming education and local government after long delays. Apart from health and libraries, the last Assembly term was largely a missed opportunity for “Delivering High Quality and Efficient Public Services”. The draft Programme for Government’s reform plans, under that title, will be judged on whether education and local government are streamlined. Social clauses are due to be the first achievement of reform, introduced in 2012-2013. The most tangible benefit should be better access to life-enhancing drugs. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, inflammatory...[full story]
Energy: Assembly party policy summary
Thursday, December 22nd, 2011A summary of energy policies advocated by the Assembly parties. DUP Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister: Arlene Foster MLA Westminster Energy and Climate Change Spokesman: Jeffrey Donaldson MP Assembly Enterprise, Trade and Investment Spokesman: Robin Newton MLA The DUP’s 2010 Westminster manifesto supports the 40 per cent target of electricity from renewables, and states that farmers should be assisted in helping government meet this target without increasing the cost of electricity. It commits to expanding incentives for home energy efficiency measures, supporting...[full story]
Politics: South Belfast by-election?
Tuesday, December 20th, 2011Alasdair McDonnell’s leadership win opens up the possibility of a poll in his constituency. Voters in South Belfast may be back at the polls early next year, due to Alasdair McDonnell’s election as SDLP leader. He will become its only double-jobbing MP when Margaret Ritchie leaves Stormont in January. The party has a commitment to end dual mandates (after backing a UUP Assembly motion in November 2009) and has confirmed to agendaNi that McDonnell will make his decision “soon”. The move is already overdue as the motion set a deadline of 2011. The new leader effectively faces three...[full story]
