Preface: As the pic above shows, you must always be very careful you don’t annoy people by blogging uncomplimentary things about them. But hey, we must take the broken foot with the elegant ankle – it’s all part of life’s great tapestry.
And an interesting portion of that tapestry was undraped for us at last night’s Leaders’ Debate on BBC. I thought it was lively in ways that the previous Leaders thing on UTV was not. That may have had something to do with the willingness of the audience to ask questions and to voice their response to anything they found laughable or self-contradictory.
Let’s run through the leaders (I almost said ‘run down’).
Colum Eastwood. He had a pretty good debate. He didn’t hesitate to barge in on things that opponent were in the course of articulating, especially those from Arlene Foster, he sounded informed and fluent, and overall a pleasant and energetic young leader. Oh, and he slipped neatly away from that awkward question about his less-than-fulsome response to Mike Nesbitt’s cross-party voting move.
Mike Nesbitt. He did OK. He was clearly aware that the DUP were keen on hanging around his neck the albatross of his second preference vote going to someone outside the unionist family. (Nurse – quick! Smelling salts!) He managed to clarify the notion that voting for the DUP and Sinn Féin would be to vote for more of the same, while voting for Change parties (like his) would mean willing and respectful co-operation. Clever use of sub-text there. He has a very good voice and can speak in cogent, clear sentences. On the minus side, his neck looks a bit odd, which tends to distract. As does, of course, Colum Eastwood’s beard-spot. And before some PC idiot tells me I shouldn’t comment on appearance, that’s what telly is – sound and vision.
Naomi Long. She is such a good speaker that you forget about her appearance. She knows how to slice into an opponent’s statement, she can sub-divide an issue and yet hold it together, she is fearless in tackling anyone or any statement with which she disagrees. And she was able to avoid the landmine of the constitutional question. I’m not an Alliance fan but that party has one gifted leader.
Michelle O’Neill. Somebody made the point to me that the DUP wouldn’t have accused, say, Máirtín Ó Muilleoir of being the puppet of Gerry Adams, or John O’Dowd, or Conor Murphy, but immediately declared Michelle O’Neill a puppet. My friend said that the claim revealed inherent sexism, and he may be right. On the other hand, the first thing that strikes me and I suspect a lot of others is, how blonde and pleasing to the eye Michelle O’Neill is. That said, good looks can be a liability, especially for women in politics: if you look too attractive, the assumption by some will be that you must be a brainless dollybird. Michelle O’Neill is no dollybird. She was able to trade blows with Arlene Foster (for example- Arlene, when interrupted by Michelle – “Michelle, show a little bit of respect, please”. Which worked well, until a nanosecond later, Michelle fired back with “Maybe show a bit of respect for the public, Arlene”). She slipped the accusations from several sources that Sinn Féin had gone along with the RHI scheme. In fact, in the babble of claim and counter-claim, the whole issue became even more confused. I still think Michelle talks much too quickly, but it wasn’t as noticeable last night. It was a sound performance from a fledgling leader. (Oh God – is ‘fledgling’ non-PC as well?)
Arlene Foster. I suspect Arlene may this morning feel the way my foot feels – damaged. She indicated at one point that she believed the audience were stacked against her, which Noel Thompson laughed off. But it certainly was the case that the audience were very critical of her and her party – at points they laughed in scorn when she spoke about Sinn Féin’s ‘radical agenda’ immediately after Michelle O’Neill had outline the headings of respect, equality and inclusion as the Sinn Féin commitment. Arlene looked so unhappy at times, it was hard not to feel sympathy for her. But not too hard. If the election were to to be a mirror image of her performance last night, the DUP would be slaughtered at the polls tomorrow. But we know that won’t happen. Arlene’s attempts to make this an Orange vs Green election have been unconvincing, but there are substantial numbers in the electorate who will vote DUP, even were candidates to take off their shoes and reveal cloven hooves. I can’t see the DUP percentage of the vote increasing or even holding more or less steady tomorrow, and I can’t see Arlene as DUP leader this time next year.
There are two key questions about tomorrow’s poll: will the 45% who didn’t vote last time, like the man in the audience last night, decide to come out and express their anger? And will sufficient (if any) unionist voters who voted DUP last time recoil in the face of DUP high-handedness and give their vote to another party? If the answer to both questions is Yes, the political landscape will be altered beyond recognition.
hi Jude ,
See you have a broken foot , but isn’t that better than having that dreaded DUP disease called foot and mouth
keep well and hope your soon back on your feet
That wouls be “foot in mouth” , Philip, eh?
I know a woman who has the cure,Jude.
On the issue of people who didn’t vote last time, I read this morning that just over 33000 new people registered to vote that were not on the last register. Out of just more than 1.2million eligible that’s not a big percentage rise and certainly not significant enough in my opinion to deliver a cultural shift in the results.
On the good side, social media and LADFLAG on Facebook has been totally hilarious so I’d miss the DUP if they were consigned to the bin
Jude, the most positive thing I took from the debate was the lack of any reference to flags and marching. I know they’ll both rear their ugly heads come summer time, but it was a delight to have them temporarily shelved.
A bird can sing with a broken wing but can’t sing with a broken heart well done Jude keep her lit
THE FIVE BASIC TASTES
We know who is sweet, and who is sour
D’leader of the shower proud to be dour
Who’s salty, who’s bitter
Each’s a backseat sitter
Ask Me Mammy if ‘umami’ wants power.
Footnote: Plastered in Paris – encore une fois ?
Colum and Naomi were the stand out performances.
Mike was good but not great.
Michelle was bad, Arlene was worse.
All said and done though these TV debates do little to change peoples vote. The main objective is to try and avoid a train wreck.
(leaders,lol)anybody wasting their time voting for any of thon outfit on last night needs examined mentally.
Out of curiosity billy, how would a country work if everyone didn’t bother voting? Who would run the country?
out of curiosity how would a country work.probably it would work fine but this isnt a country its an occupied part of a country so it cant work.so voting for something that cant work is a sign of madness imo.not bothering to vote is also a right.
I think there a number of reasons why people don’t vote in the north of Ireland
(1) they don’t like the candidates
(2) they realise that the politicans have little power here i.e. in regards tax raising, job creation ect.
(3) A common complaint is that you only see politicians at election time when they want something from you – this is a fair point. Maybe politicians should come around the doors and ask the people what they can do for you while they are in office. Any politican that did this could be sure that his or her votes would go up come election time.
The election is tomorrow Colman .The only ones that came to my door were Sinn Fein. I have had leaflets in the post from the DUP and the UUP full of paranoia about the Big Bad Wolf Gerry Adams who isn’t even in the race. That’s about the level we are dealing with.
Politicians coming around the doors when secure in office can only
be described as pure phantasy , simply trying to get an appointment with one for a face to face can , in my experience be almost impossible .Sure , come election time they are all high visibility and magnanimous but once elected , ah well that’s a pony of a different colour completely . I listen to their spin when they come to the door then I ask about access to them in the future , should I need it . ‘ OH most definitely ‘ replied one such spooker , however assurances made blithely at the door are seldom kept . No surprise then that some salient strands of the GFA ,were abandoned .
Are you referring to the People’s Forum Slanlot. Whatever happened to that?
It is often said that at sometime in the early 1970s a large chuck of middle class voters went to the golf club bar and stayed there. On the basis of last night’s offerings I can see something similar happening tomorrow.
Sad about the peg, Jude. That’ll slow down the jogging a bit, alright. Get well soon. As for your critique , I think you nailed it well enough although I thought Michelle was n’t quite up to snuff on this occasion.She could have been better on the night.That said she did score when Arlene talked about “her community” ( meaning her unionist friends alone) and not the entire community ..(ie all of us) which she was supposed to have been serving as Joint First Minister.That little spat said it all for me , really .Michelle corrected her on that point, but still it was very revealing as to how Arlene had previously worked while in office as Joint Minister.
Otherwise ,everyone was well buffed-up by the make-up department with their brows and noses powdered lest they dazzle the cameras and everyone had their hair done …Lovely! There was nothing new , of course and the hour seemed to fly by without too much being dissected. there were no hard-nosed questions. Arlene did play the “everyone is against me ” card by half-joking that the audience was loaded…If it had been she’d have been torn to shreds.That didn’t happen. These things are never satisfying in the end.Your comment that the physical notes on the looks and attractiveness of each candidate rings true too .All these things make a difference as to how we judge everyone including our politicians , even though there are some who will close their eyes to the reality of how real life actually works. As you say, Naomie is a star performer but she would make even more impact if she conformed more to the current clone -standards of popular made-up game -show femininity . These things always influence people whether or not they think they do or not. I think that she would be an asset in any political party though , because she is easily the most articulate speaker whether you believe in her politics or not.
Will you be able to vote,Jude?
Vote Shin Pain!
On my hands and knees if necessary…
Couple of points. I think there are times when it is appropriate not to vote. I did not vote last Assembly elections because I feel my local candidate Conor Murphy is a neo-liberal rather than a socialist. Besides I felt SF were not delivering and decided to “give them a cooling” as did a considerable portion of the nationalist electorate.This time I will be voting SF in spite of my misgivings. I am outraged by the arrogance of Foster and the DUP and feel it important to maximise the Republican(ish) vote. I listened to Colm Eastwood last night and his references to “the people of Northern Ireland” No mention of the people of Ireland. Clearly a deeply partitionist mindset. I will not be giving the SDLP a second, third or fourth preference vote.Incidentally neither Conor Murphy’S (SF) or Justin McNulty’S (SDLP) posters ask for a second preference vote for any other candidate of their respective parties. Is there a management strategy (or lack of one) at work here?
Can I ask what Conor Murphy has done that makes you see him as a neo-liberal Brian?
Take note Jessica that I began my posting with three words “I feel that….”. I do not claim to be infallible. But I will provide you with some substance for my hunch (i)He addressed the Tory Party conference. How could he suppose that anything he would say would be taken seriously and/or that the fruits of this action could be his would in any way benefit the Irish people? (ii) Supports the reduction of Corporation Tax (which benefits the international conglomerates you often rail about) (iii) Attended the funeral of “Lord” Eddie Haughey aka Lord Ballyedmond, a Unionist peer whose anti-working class cavalier arrogance against unions, his own workers and the people of Killowen/Rostrevor and Newry were legendary and would fill several volumes.
Of course none of us are infallible, but I don’t consider myself a neo liberal yet have been accused of being just that a lot recently.
I would be anti globalisation and I have strong nationalistic views which would not normally be associated with neo liberalism hence my confusion.
I do believe a low corporation tax has helped Irelands economic growth, in Ireland that is not simply an ideology but a fact and an economic reality.
Yes, it does help the multi nationals but it has also resulted in high levels of FDI which has in turn made Ireland a highly skilled work force in one of the most resilient economic sectors there is, the technical services industry.
It also helps all domestic incorporations, which in turn have benefitted greatly from the financial investment multi nationals have made in our local economy.
The two are connected and sudden movements on this could be devastating for our economy so I think it is only fair to expect strong economic arguments from those who suggest we do so and simply brandishing everyone who disagrees as neo liberals will not cut it.
The issue I have with Irelands unfair treatment of certain multinationals such as Apple in particular, is offering not our low corporation tax but sweetheart deals which are not available to local domestic companies. The EU judged this as unfair and I would agree and it has led to a level of mistrust in the economic competence or honesty of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael.
It is a fact that it resulted in Apple paying somewhere in the region of a 0.0001% tax on earnings it put through Ireland which added to our GDP, increased out EU contributions, allowed us to borrow beyond the EU 3% safety net and the levels of borrowing is another major issue I have in Ireland, and more importantly that borrowing is used too much to plug holes in the economy rather than long term investment.
Ireland is working its way out of economic difficulties but has had incompetent economic governance which most global economists would agree with.
As Iceland have shown, even such failures can be turned into success stories and made into a revenue stream. Global change to tax regimes especially since brexit have opened an opportunity for Ireland to teach the world what lessons it has learned from such economic tax failings and the famously coined phrase leprechaun economics could help sell it.
You have said you support Scandinavian style economies as have others, so would I. These have embraced capitalism and are currently still lowering corporation tax further to attract inward investment.
Does that make them neo liberal in your eyes?
Hi Jessica,
I note you make no comment on his address to the Tory conference or his attendance at Eddie Haughey’s’ funeral. Can you quote where I said I support Scandinavian type economies? (I would concede they are a huge improvement on what we have!)
Regarding the lowering of Corporation Tax there is an argument for it in the Republic – although I believe the choice of the Republic owes more to having a well educated English speaking workforce than low corporation tax, although the latter is undeniably a bonus. But it is an obscenity here in the north to be giving out freebies to multinationals while poor and working people are imposing cuts. Google Conor Murphy MLA. You will read lots about him addressing business conferences. I have no criticism of that. I only wish I could read more about him standing up for the rights of trade unionists, striking teachers, workers, the poor, the unemployed, the homeless. Go figure.
Hi Brian,
I am pretty sure you mentioned a preference for Scandinavian policies in a previous blog conversation we had but apologies if I made a mistake.
It is the sort of thing I would automatically take a mental note off though.
I would totally agree with you that currently the biggest attraction to all of Ireland for such employers, not only the republic is a quality workforce and I think we should be more confident about that also.
There are too many things wrong in the north to focus on any single area. Our biggest problem in my eyes is the refusal by both states to treat the people with respect. We are an after thought that they want to go away so they can get on with more important things.
We MUST have an all island debate over what would be economically, socially and politically in our best interests and it must include suitable economists with expertise needed as well as officials from both states to lend support to doing the right thing by our people. I am divided over whether the UK or EU would be more in our best interests in helping us to achieve this. Can we trust either of them? We do need international help and good will though.
I also don’t see how unity is not desperately needed, especially in the north and around the border counties and will be moreso after article 50 is triggered and more jobs are lost. What is sad is that it took such extreme events to make Dublin sit up and take an interest in the well being of Irish citizens in the north.
We are well aware that Britain have only english interests at heart and unionism would accept any level of poverty to remain in the UK so leadership at state level is needed and sorely lacking.
I suspect that there is little chance that Britain will invest in Ireland. They will more likely try to recoup what they have lost over the conflict and demand remuneration from us for benefits provided while in the UK than to pay for the damage they have caused when we do decide to leave. Another reason I suspect the EU would be the preferred partner post unity than britain and why now would be the best opportunity we may ever get.
I was not really trying to defend Conor Murphy, more keen to know what you thought were neo liberal values.
I have never heard of Eddie Haughey before and I know nothing about the appearance at the Tory conference.
Homelessness and unemployment are very important to me among other social values. yet I am considered a neo liberal also so I would not make any comment for or against Conor Murphy.
There is a point of view towards uniting Ireland within the UK, it may have gone beyond Fine Gael into Fianna Fail and maybe even Sinn Fein I don’t know.
I would fully expect to receive a bill for leaving the UK and I do not think we should ever trust britain, especially the conservatives.
On the other hand, I do feel there will be a split within Sinn Fein in the near future over moving away from far left socialist ideals. The problem is Sinn Fein are not talkers but achievers and they will know that their aims will not be possible to achieve otherwise and it will be down to how they manage this change. In my view it will result in them moving towards being a party for all of the people and not any single section, not socialists, not nationalists, not Catholics, not protestants but for all.
I never accused you of being a neo- liberal Jessica. I think you are a decent person if that doesn’t sound too patronizing At the present time I think SF should be supported if only to punish the DUP. But I have few illusions about any politicians or political parties.