Chris Hazzard was on the BBC’s Sunday Politics this lunch-time and he looked every inch the part of a bright, articulate Minister. He was talking about the A6, and how the people it will serve have been waiting half a century. The south was to have put up £200 million for the A5, but now that’s back to £75million. He’s meeting his southern counterpart Shane Ross next month to talk about the south’s contribution.
East of the Bann, Mark Carruthers reminded him, there was the matter of the Westlink overpass. Would he resort to public/private financing for that? Hazzard said he was open to anything – yes, including a tolling system. But the one thing that’ll guide him is whether it benefits the public. “We don’t want massive resource bills for generations to come”. On the other hand he’d been to China, and saw first-hand the benefits of high speed rail. We should be looking at connectivity between places like Dublin, Cork and Belfast, he said.
No showy stuff: just quiet, intelligent, outward-looking, learning from what he’s seen other places, open to all possibilities as long as they are in the public interest.
Sinn Fein took the infrastructure portfolio, as Chris Donnelly noted, so they could show public commitment to getting things done. For the sake of those west of the Bann, who’ve been deprived of a decent road system since the clever dicks at the old Stormont built the M1 ‘back in the 1960s and made sure it stopped at Dungannon, we must hope they succeed.
Contrast Chris Hazzard with another young minister – Paul Givan. The minister for Communities couldn’t look fresher and more smiling-faced if he was a cousin of that sweet young Asher’s cake couple. He was on Twitter some time back flashing that smile as he lit an Eleventh Night pyre; more recently Pepsodent Paul has been filmed kicking a ball over the bar on a Gaelic pitch! How can people say that DUP politicians aren’t fair-minded when they agree to be filmed kicking a Gaelic football?
Meanwhile, cast your mind back to the time when local district councils were reduced from twenty-six to eleven. Why was that? So that powers could be devolved from Stormont to a more local level. Highly commendable – for so many areas in the north, Stormont is not just a cold house but a remote one. The reduced number of councils promised subsidiarity and all that. So hooray for the supercouncils.
But wait. Pepsodent Paul has just made an announcement. Those regenerative powers won’t actually be going to local councils.
And the reason? I’m sure if you asked PP, he’d smile and say it was for efficiency reasons, or because you need connectivity and eleven councils won’t give that but Stormont will, or because the new councils need more time to settle in before regnerative powers are passed their way.
But maybe there’s another reason. Think West of the Bann, where several councils have a nationalist-republican majority. And the one thing all DUP politicians agree, from the most craggy-faced dinosaur to the twinkly PP, is that you can’t be handing power to Sinn Féin and/or the SDLP. If you do that, you’re going to have backwoodsmen and women banging on your door and wanting to know why you’re chipping away at their culture by allowing a bunch of, um, rebels to decide on important matters affecting everyone. And those councils which have a unionist majority? Well, they’ll have to bite their lip and offer it up. Passing power to a nationalist/republican council runs in the face of everything unionism holds dear: not an inch, no surrender, what we have we hold.
I would guess that Hazzard and Givan are approximately the same age. That’s chronologically speaking. In terms of thoughtfulness and commitment to public need, maybe they’re a bit less equal. That great Englishman William Shakespeare, as usual, has a line that could be seen as relevant: “ One may smile and smile and be a villain”.
Not that I’m suggesting Pepsodent Paul is a villain. How could you be a villain, when there’s footage showing you kicking a ball over the bar in the manner of the natives at play?
Intereesting article Jude but surely SF and Chris Hazzard know that so callled public private partnerships are not the way to go? The taxpayers end up footing the bill and the private companies clean up. We would do well to steer clear of it. I must admit I am surprised that it is even being considered when we have countless examples of how this is used to exploit the public purse of no benefit to the tax payer.
I was shocked when I seen Paul Givan visiting a GAA pitch and playing some Gaelic Football. But maybe I shouldn’t have been because we all know the DUP do things when they absolutely have to and all this talk of “lack of reciprocation” from Unionism really was getting louder and louder. The DUP had to do something.
If we could build a Time Machine and go back to 1986 and showed the DUP and Unionists of that era where the DUP are in 2016, there would be individuals being burnt just like poor Lundy was yesterday in Derry. There would be shock and outrage.
The point is the DUP/UUP are only where they are today, not because they want to move on but because they have no other choice. They were brought kicking and screaming to this point. They had no other choice but to go into Government with Sinn Fein.
I sincerely hoped Paul Givan was genuine when he visited that GAA pitch but as I was reminded on twitter by one tweeter: “The DUP Education Minister visited an Irish Language School. Not long after he said Irish would no longer be available in correspondence”. He has also turned down 5 out of 6 proposals for Irish medium schools, as reported by the Irish News. So its plainly obvious the education minister has the same old anti-Irish DUP attitude, despite his visit to an Irish Language School and being warmly welcomed.
I was reading an article from Alex Kane on the Newsletter yesterday where Alex said: “Both the DUP and SF hate each other”. I disagree with him. I’m sure SF dislike the DUP but I think the hate is only coming from one direction……
Chris Hazzard should do all he can to improve our roads, including involving private partnerships, because its crucial our infrastructure is top notch if we ever hope to attract investment of the scale that the South attracts.
PS: If Paul Givan was genuine in his visit to a GAA pitch then he deserves to be commended and it was a great step forward but his future actions/words will ultimately determine if it was genuine or not.
“I was shocked when I seen”
It’s ‘when I saw’.
“If we could build a Time Machine and go back to 1986 and showed the DUP and Unionists of that era where the DUP are in 2016, there would be individuals being burnt just like poor Lundy was yesterday in Derry. There would be shock and outrage.”
And the same for Sinn Fein.
“The point is the DUP/UUP are only where they are today, not because they want to move on but because they have no other choice. They were brought kicking and screaming to this point. They had no other choice but to go into Government with Sinn Fein.”
And same for SF. They wanted to bomb and murder their way to a ‘united Ireland’, but realised they couldn’t and they’d have to play an exclusively political game instead.
“It’s ‘when I saw’.”
I see your aiming to be the blogs Grammar Nazi as well as Troll MT….you’ll have a field day on Willie Frazers page, I’ve seen 6 year old kids with better grammar/spelling skills than Willie, and that’s no exaggeration…..
“And the same for Sinn Fein”
Not really, the likes of SF and the PIRA always knew there would be a political settlement but the Republican movement see it as a stepping stone. I’m no political expert but even I could’ve guessed if I was around in the 1980’s that there would be a political agreement before there would ever be a United Ireland….
“And same for SF. They wanted to bomb and murder their way to a ‘united Ireland’, but realised they couldn’t and they’d have to play an exclusively political game instead”
Wrong again MT. SF have never bombed or murdered anyone. SF agreed with power sharing and fully supported the Good Friday Agreement. The DUP didn’t, nor did half of the UUP.
“I see your aiming to be the blogs Grammar Nazi”
It’s ‘you’re’.
“.you’ll have a field day on Willie Frazers page, I’ve seen 6 year old kids with better grammar/spelling skills than Willie, and that’s no exaggeration…..”
Doesn’t surprise me in the least. Sounds like you’d fit in there.
“Not really, the likes of SF and the PIRA always knew there would be a political settlement but the Republican movement see it as a stepping stone.”
Odd that it took such skilful navigation to get them to end their campaign.
“Wrong again MT.”
I wasn’t wrong before so it’s not possible for me to be wrong again .
“SF have never bombed or murdered anyone.”
No their political wing did that for them.
“SF agreed with power sharing and fully supported the Good Friday Agreement.”
Not in 1986 they didn’t. Why are you referring to 1998 in a discussion about 1986? Moving the goalposts again .
“The DUP didn’t, nor did half of the UUP.”
More than half the UUP did. About three quarters from.memory.
“It’s ‘you’re’”
Is this what it has come to MT? being a troll because your upset at peoples opinions?….
“Doesn’t surprise me in the least. Sounds like you’d fit in there”
Nice way to talk about a man who lost 5 members of his family who served in the Security Forces “trying to protect the community” as Willie puts it…..
“Odd that it took such skilful navigation to get them to end their campaign”
The PIRA knew since the 1980’s what they were going to do…..
“I wasn’t wrong before so it’s not possible for me to be wrong again ”
yes you were wrong before.
“No their political wing did that for them”
Their political wing?….err, no they didn’t lol
“Not in 1986 they didn’t. Why are you referring to 1998 in a discussion about 1986? Moving the goalposts again ”
MT, have you ever read a book about the troubles? Foolish question….look MT, it took years for the likes of the Good Friday Agreement to be produced. The whole development of the peace process really begun under Margaret Thatcher, near the end of her term as PM I would say. Major carried it on. The Good Friday Agreement didn’t happen over night, it’s roots lie years before it actually was voted on lol
“More than half the UUP did. About three quarters from.memory”
MT, the UUP is still losing members to the DUP to this day over the Good Friday Agreement and its out working….Your knowledge and skill as a Troll is definitely superior than your knowledge of politics here.
Alex Kane is an intelligent unionist Ryan.
He knows change is coming and much like AG, will confront and speak out against unionist failures that could be negatively perceived by the middle ground.
That is where unionism will eventually realise is a battle for which they have to win.
Some are just quicker than others at realising it.
While unionist hatred is blatantly obvious for all to see in its elected representatives, best to use a broad brush in pointing it out to get some of the tar on the other side at the same time.
Whether or not it is justified doesn’t really matter?
I see Gregory Campbell is going to considerable lengths to counter the negative connotations from his various jibes.
Comparing his witty sense of humour to that of Barry McElduff no less, of whom he is an avid admirer.
The whip is indeed being lifted within the DUP and image reversal has begun.
yes including a tolling system………more money towards queenies lobster fund.just like the plastic bag tax that will like all taxes go up next year.all for a good cause tho,making northern ireland work.
Jude, I cannot disagree with the contrast you draw between the SF and DUP ministers’ approaches. However, there are also other concerns which blur the distinctions viz. the debacle over Charter NI and its less than distinguished CEO. SF are much too subdued about the issue and should be calling forth much more deliberate action. Meekly requesting a consideration of position is just not good enough. Do SF have a vested interested in keeping a low profile? If so, why?
How do you think the media would react Kevin?
Have you forgotten the relentless media bias and political assaults from all quarters in the recent elections?
Damned if they do and damned if they don’t.
Two politicians taking decisions potentially beneficial to their respective parties.
One is quiet and thoughtful and concerned for the public good while the other is a smiling villain with a hidden agenda.
Good stuff.
And I see we are back to using ‘backwoodsmen’ again to describe DUP supporters.
Hardly setting a good example for that respectful debate we hear so much about.
“And I see we are back to using ‘backwoodsmen’ again to describe DUP supporters”
Did you see what some DUP supporters did to Belfast City Hall when the flag vote was taken Gio? They even smashed up cars outside thinking they belonged to SF/SDLP but they actually belonged to Unionist councillors. I don’t think any of us will forget “No Surrender” Woman in a hurry….she even lost her job in a Chinese takeaway because people kept prank phone calling her….remember, the DUP/UUP called those people out with 40,000 leaflets.
But yes, I understand name calling is a bad way to go about having a sensible, respectful debate, I agree with you there.
There is no point in making excuses for the dinasours and back woodsmen/women who inhabit the DUP, these idiots need to be faced down by their masters in London and told to wise up instead of making themselves out as complete laughing stocks.
Chris Hazzard is one of the few – if not the only – SF spokesperson(s) to use the term “Northern Ireland”. His predecessor Danny Kennedy (DUP) authorised the election of “Welcome to Northern Ireland” signs at numerous border crossing points. Initially these were torn down by locals but quickly replaced and the replacements were for some reason left untouched. These are offensive to a large section of the local populace as they are all situated in republican/nationalist areas, highlighting as they do the partition of the country. While unionist ministers are busy eradicating every vestige of the Irish language from their departments Mr. Hazzard seems content to allow the partitionist markers to remain. To remove them might seem petty but the very least he could do is make them bi-lingual.
why would a british minister want to remove welcome signs.once brexit kicks in the signs wont be needed to highlight the partition of the country the sight of the checkpoint will be enough.
If these signs are offensive to a large section of the local populace Brian, because they highlight the partition of the country.
How do you think they will feel during the centenary celebrations of the establishment of the separate jurisdictions of Southern Ireland and Northern Ireland?
Is the republic of Ireland not going to celebrate its 100th Birthday over the sensitivities of the Irish people it has already abandoned and cares nothing for do you think?
Obviously this must have missed your critical eye Jude, when you were heaping praise on that bright, articulate minister Hazzard. He wants to pay peoples credit card bills and mortgage’s. Now that’s a bright, articulate minister. Northern bank withdrawal anyone???
As for that other bright articulate shinner/provo Mr Adams. Who again can’t get his story straight when he forwarded the names of 4 shinners/provos who he said were involved in the shinner/provo murder of Mr Stack.
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/opinion/sf-s-economic-illiteracy-1-6719285
That car crash interview with Jude’s bright, articulate minister Hazzard, on the Nolan show.
https://audioboom.com/posts/3131587-bbcnolan-general-election-interviews-sinn-fein-s-chris-hazzard-ge2015
I didn’t know I’d mentioned Adams, Glenn. But maybe your standards of bright and articulate are higher than mine. In which case argument conceded…
I’m well aware you didn’t mention Adams and his latest cock up, that’s why I did. I would hate to think that Adams a man you go to some lengths to elevate as a bright and articulate shinner/provo politico, would not get a mention when you were comparing politicians especially when he is digging another hole for himself. In handing over the names of 4 shinners/provos to the Garda 3 years after he claims to have been given them. The terms bright and articulate are two adjective not normally used with Gerry Adams never mind shinner/provo politicos.
http://www.independent.ie/opinion/editorial/gubu-behaviour-from-adams-on-stack-murder-35264760.html
As for Hazzard, I will be sending the bills for my Christmas expenditure to the shinners/provos in the expectation they will be covering my Christmas excess.
Glenn, the banking bail outs were economic illiteracy, but they were needed.
The property developers who knew it was unsustainable were bailed out, the banks we pay to manage our finances knew it was unsustainable but were bailed out.
The people they allowed to get into debt far beyond what thy could afford, for houses at prices they knew were unrealistic, got nothing.
13 billion euros was given to Apple alone over dodgy tax deals with no real explanation as to what the Irish people got for their money.
I would support a bail out program for the public, no Irish person should lose their home over bank and state greed. Where banks are found to have acted inappropriately in allowing people get into unsustainable debt, they should be fined and a program of financial state assistance offered to those individuals,
That is the type of leadership I would like to see in Ireland.
Economic illiteracy is giving away billions to corporates and charging the people for their water.
“And the same for Sinn Fein”.
It is incorrect to start a sentence with a conjunction.
“No their political wing did that for them”.
Surely, it is “no, their political wing did that for them,”
Oh, there are more; berry picking won’t catch the buffalo.
“It is incorrect to start a sentence with a conjunction” – really? Only if you allow your prose to master you, rather than vice versa. “ˇ“And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good.” – Genesis 1:31. And that’s in the Good Book. And ain’t it the truth?
Touché Dr C!!!