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So I was out canvassing and…..

Monday, May 18th, 2009

…..I knocked on a door and this nice (but noticeably odd) little man answered. I said the ‘I’m calling on behalf of Alban Maginness and the SDLP regarding….’ introduction, but I was stopped in my tracks. ‘No thanks’, he said, ‘I’m a communist, I always vote SF’. Confused and curious I said, ‘OK, well you do realise that there is a bit of a contradiction in….’ Stopped again.

‘I said I’m a communist and I vote for SF, your not a communist, your a right winger, so I would never vote for you’

I proceeded with a few simple questions.

‘How do you reconcile that, you do realise that the SDLP voted against the Programme for Government mainly because it is right wing?

You also realise that SF wrote the ring wing programme and stick by it to this day, even in the current economic climate?

Tell me how does a communist SF supporter view the current privatisation in education, on Sinn Fein’s watch?’

I could see his mind trying to process what I was saying and then thought I was about to get an answer.

His response. He tried to kick me. The nice but noticeably odd little man tried to kick me. And then shouted me off his front door. Nice.

Posted in Alban Maguinness, Constituents, Europe, Matthew McDermott, SDLP, Sinn Fein, West Belfast | No Comments »

Sinn Fe… I mean Andersonstown News and Censorship

Thursday, May 14th, 2009

My blog has now adopted another function…. to report weekly on the Andersonstown News and it’s coverage. Why?

Over a year ago I decided to refuse an award from Belfast Media Group in protest of the Squinter/Adams stuff and ever since then the paper has censored me from their pages. Literally, cut me out of press releases and cut me out of photos when they printed them (but then published the full photo on their website)

If I’m being honest the paper, as a NEWSpaper just doesn’t measure up. They need exposed for what they are: unprofessional, poor, partisan, stalinist, spineless with amateur editing. The paper is a farce if ever there was one.

Take today for example, 14th May. I am taking part in the Lisburn Half marathon, along with Alex Attwood in aid of Tiny Life.

Now that’s a nice story isn’t it? The paper has the head line, ‘SDLP members going on the run’ (fair enough) but it’s print only mentions Alex, why does it say ‘members’ and then only mention one?

Well that’s because it’s been censoring me for over a year for having the ’cheek,’ as one person put it, to criticise the paper over it’s handling of the Squinter/Adams farce.

The SDLP has been recording every instance of censorship that the paper shamelessly and regularly indulges in, including altered photographs. The report will soon be launched.

The paper should be exposed. Anyone who has been censored by the paper, who dislikes it’s partisan view of the world, who believes it’s a waste of tress should comment.

P.s. did they run the story about SF claiming excessive expenses from your pockets… what do you think?

Posted in Andersonstown News, Censorship, Matthew McDermott, SDLP, Sinn Fein, West Belfast | 8 Comments »

SDLP Bloggers Breakfast (well 10am)

Tuesday, May 12th, 2009

Alban Maginness - the SDLP’s European candidate has invited me, and every other blogger who can get along, to a ‘bloggers breakfast’ in Dukes Hotel, Belfast. The purpose: to see for the first time the SDLP European PEB – which has been launched on youtube before being aired tonight.

SDLP 2009 PEB

The room was full, there was a great atmosphere, considering this was, I believe, the first event of it’s kind in the north.

As a blogger beside me said ‘ This is a bit of a coup for the SDLP.’ I think that statement maybe summed up both the nature and substance of the event (although there was a slight technical issue with the sound for a second or two!!).

I’m sure others will give their thoughts on the event on sites such slugger, and their own personal blogs, later, and the reporting of the event should make for interesting reading.

Alban’s blog also went live today. And his website has been up for a few weeks.

The message is simple: You haven’t had a pro European voice in Europe for too long now, We can win: and When We Win, You Win.

Posted in Alban Maguinness, Bloggers, Europe, Matthew McDermott, SDLP | 1 Comment »

March On

Friday, May 1st, 2009

The launch of the Lisburn LGBT group took place last night in the Cherry Room in Lisburn City Council. Considering the previous unnecessary controversy around the use of council property for civil partnerships, last nights meeting represented a massive step for the advancement of equal rights and treatment for the gay community.

The DUP and Alliance failed to attend, as did the single TUV representative.

When something such as this event happens, there is no doubt that it represents a major victory for the LGBT community, and every other marganilised group, who in the past has been excluded or faced discrimination. There is no doubt that the legislation that made an event like this possible, has proven to work. And credit must be given to those who fought for and obtained these legislative protections, not least the SDLP.

So when you hear the DUP or others attacking the integrity of such legislation, when you hear them say that the institutions such as the Equality or Human Rights Commissions are worthless, or when you hear some say that a Bill of Rights for NI is pointless, recognise that it is just these things that enable it possible for an event like last nights to happen.

An event that shouldn’t have needed to rely on legislation but unfortunately had to, as some people aren’t willing to recognise that members of the gay community are also our doctors and teachers, our bin men and street cleaners, they are our colleagues and friends, our family and community. They are human beings entitled to human rights – bar none.

Credit must be given to the Lisburn LGBT group and it’s members for organising the event, there was no doubting the feeling in the room last night, history was being made. March On.

Posted in DUP, Equality, LGBT, Lisburn, Lisburn Council, SDLP | 3 Comments »

Miscarrages of Justice – SDLP Newry Event

Monday, April 20th, 2009

As regular readers of no gloss just matt will be aware, SDLP in West Belfast held a Miscarriages of Justice event at the SDLP Annual Conference. The event was very successful and very well attended.

The atmosphere of the event, due to the speakers very moving contributions, was poignant, and the SDLP agreed to follow this up with another similar event for those who where not able to attend the one in Armagh.

SDLP Newry have now arranged an event to be held this Wednesday in the Canal Court Hotel in Newry at 7.30pm. Everyone is invited.

Speakers include, no gloss just matt contributor Gerry Conlon of the Gilford Four, Breege Quinn, who’s son Paul Quinn was murdered with no one brought to justice, Raymond McCord, who’s son Raymond McCord Jnr was murdered and Anne Morgan, who’s brother, Seamus Ruddy is one of the disappeared.

The event will be chaired by the SDLP’s Alban Maguinness MLA, the party’s European Candidate and Justice Spokesperson.

If you couldn’t get to the event in Armagh in January, or if you are interested in the (lack of) Justice processes in NI relating the troubles/paramilitaries, or if you want to hear moving personal testimonies from tireless campaigners for justice, I would highly recommend that you try and attend.

Posted in Alban Maguinness, Gerry Conlon, Justice, Newry, Oversight, Paramilitaries, Peace, Policing, SDLP, Troubles, West Belfast | 1 Comment »

Real effects of doing nothing

Friday, April 17th, 2009

I attended the rally today at City Hall in support of workers who are suddenly finding themselves out of work.

There was a small turn out - when you compare the rally here to the rallies across Ireland and Britain, coupled with the fact that we here in NI are going to be hit worse than England, Wales or Scotland in terms of job loses - the turn out was disappointing. It is all of our responsibilities to ensure that workers have their rights protected. Anyone could be next.

It’s in our nature here, until it affects us we generally don’t pay attention. We vote for the same politicians who consistently fail to help us, and we will again when the EU election comes along.

Our political leaders, the First Minister and deputy First Minister’s response to the economic crisis: attack the Belfast Telegraph for raising the issue. Are they for real? Notably the National Union of Journalists attended the rally – no doubt to sent that same message to our so-called leaders.

While the speakers where very good, they consistently failed to call up those that have the biggest responsibilty here to deal with job losses.

Sinn Fein and the DUP!

They didn’t name Robinson or Maguinness – SF representatives told us on easter that they have co ownership of the institutions, well they must accept then, along with that comes co-responsibility and co-failure to act. As well as co-blame for the executive turning a blind eye to what is happening.

It’s time to get real, people are losing their jobs, homes are being repossessed, people are being taken to court, employers are walking all over them.

Time to turn up the pressure. Time to put Mr Adams and his co-ownership rhetoric to the test.

Time for a new budget and programme for government.

new20priorities20in20difficult20times-07200420092081

Time for help for our workers.

Time to help the economy.

Time for movement.

Time for action.

Posted in Assembly, Constituents, Economy, Executive, SDLP, Sinn Fein, West Belfast, Workers Rights | 1 Comment »

IT’S THE ECONOMY STUPI(DUP) – PART 2

Thursday, April 9th, 2009

The economy is finally beginning to get some attention after months of the DUP/SF axis burying their heads in the sand and pretending we weren’t in any type of crisis. The SDLP launched a discussion document on the state of our government’s budget and spending priorities, identifying where we think £400 million can be found, and starting a much needed and long overdue conversation.

As I mentioned in a previous post, all over the world governments are reprioritising their budgets and spending priorities. Not here, oh no, that would be just too normal. We only need to look at the Environment Minister and we soon realise how serious some parties are at actually governing the north. Or indeed our Education Minister for that matter.

But now significant pressure is being brought to bear on DUP/SF and I think it’s only a matter of time before they have to acknowledge the reality. Well you would think wouldn’t you? Every day they delay the inevitable is a day that we all have to suffer.

I was at a debate recently and a DUP politician told the audience that I had to defend the SDLP’s policy on fixing the economy. Yes, you read that right. He failed to acknowledge that his party holds the finance ministry, the enterprise and trade ministry and the post of First Minister, he failed to acknowledge that they are the majority party in government and the assembly, that there is going to be a £1 billion black hole in the budget, that people are losing their jobs, that businesses are going under, that we are in a bad financial state at all. But I had to defend my party’s position!

Bear in mind, this was before we launched our economic discussion document this week (available below). This was simply when we where calling for a reprioritising of our spending in these worsening financial times. So apparently we needed to defend the fact that we are facing up to what everyone is facing up to-we are in a crisis, time for solutions, time for some action.

The DUP Finance Minister’s stance on the economic situation is very much like the DUP Environment Minister’s stance on our contribution to global warming. They deny it is happening. This is what we are up against (with not a word from SF). But, let the debate at least start, and lets get on with it.

new20priorities20in20difficult20times-0720042009208

Posted in Assembly, DUP, Economy, Executive, SDLP, Sinn Fein, Workers Rights | No Comments »

Photos of SDLP Seminar

Tuesday, March 31st, 2009

SDLP European Candidate Alban Maguinness MLA with John Ware and Michael Gallagher

Margaret Ritchie MLA, Minister for Social Development

Dolores Kelly MLA with John Ware and Barney Rowan

Alex Attwood MLA with Dame Nuala O'Loan

MArk Durkan MP MLA closing the Seminar

Posted in Justice, Oversight, Paramilitaries, Peace, Policing, SDLP, West Belfast | No Comments »

Policing and it’s oversight at times of threat – Seminar overview!

Monday, March 30th, 2009

The audiance was healthy in number and dynamic in composition – that’s those who where present for an SDLP Seminar in St. Mary’s College on the Falls Road focusing on Policing and it’s oversight at times of threat.

The Seminar boasted some very high profile and informed panellists such as John Ware, Barney Rowan and Dame Nuala O’Loan. There were fascinating accounts of real life tragedies and struggles from contributors such as Michael Gallagher and Brendan Duddy.

A very adept account of particular aspects of the event has already been written, click here and here to view.

For the second time this year (and probably ever) I was reading an opinion piece by Newton Emerson in the Irish News and said, ‘he’s got a point here.’ (Below)

accountability-only-way-to-draw-out-toxic-intelligence

There was an overwhelming consensus in the room, coming from the speakers and the mood of those present that robust oversight is needed to monitor the intelligence services – right now virtually none exists. As Professior Colin Harvey of QUB said at the Seminar, ‘is it right that a police officer is subject to far reaching accountability measures and the intelligence officer they happen to be working with is subject to virtually none? Of course not!’

That was very much the consensus. But there was also a feeling in the room – that for whatever reason the intelligence services have continually escaped proper scrutiny, that that will always remain the case. There are too many vested interests, particularly in Northern Ireland, for doors to be opened or lights shone in dark corners. As Barney Rowan said, the governments have an interest in keeping the light off, as do Loyalist and Republican paramilitaries.

As Newton Emerson said in his article ‘ Currently, the peace process approach to intelligence is to build a wall between it and policing so that policing can be made accountable without compromising intelligence. This is why surveillance of dissidents now falls to MI5. Sinn Fein fully endorses this policy, to the point of making a bogus distinction between intelligence and “civic policing”.

Not only does Sinn Fein endorse this separation of accountability, effectively meaning robust oversight of policing and none of the spooks - but they negotiated it! It makes one wonder about those vested interests. And with the presence of Alex Maskey and Bobby Storey at the Seminar on Saturday, one wonders a little more?!

It truely was a dirty war, but people such as the families of those murdered in the Omagh bomb should not have to pay the price of no scrutiny, while undoubtedly others reap the rewards.

Posted in Justice, Oversight, Paramilitaries, Peace, Policing, SDLP, Troubles, West Belfast | No Comments »

POLICING AND IT’S OVERSIGHT AT TIMES OF THREAT

Friday, March 27th, 2009

I want to draw people’s attention, (albeit at this late stage) to the SDLP seminar on ‘Policing and it’s Oversight at times of threat.

The details are here.

The calibre of the speakers and the theme of the event speaks for itself. It will prove to be a very informative and worthwhile event.

For those that can’t make it but want to, I will be providing an overview of the content of each of the speakers speeches, and of the seminar in general after the event.

Throughout the event I will also be ‘twittering’.

Posted in Justice, Matthew McDermott, Oversight, Policing, SDLP | No Comments »

No Gloss – Just Matt!