At first glance, there is very little connexion between the Carlos Tevez, the Manchester City footballer and the Alliance Party.

But actually they have a lot in common. Earlier this season, Tevez refused to go on to the pitch as a substitute. He left England and headed off to Argentina, to play golf. Largely seen as a ruse to get out of his contract, Tevez discovered that nobody seemed anxious to sign him……..and returned to Manvchester City in January.

Of course to football fans, there is nothing worse than not “playing for the jersey”. City fans started burning the their shirts with that “32 Tevez” on the back. He was a hate figure. And was getting the blame as Citys early season form deserted them.

Yet football fans are fickle. Manchester City’s resurgence is largely due to Tevez’s return. There is something of a dilemna for City fans. They could possibly win the Premiership title. If they do ……and if theres a God in heaven they wont ….the return of Carlos Tevez might be the biggest factor. If on the other hand, they lose out to Manchester United……Tevez will get the blame.

So really we will have to wait until the last day of the season befoe City fans “judge” Carlos Tevez.

But what has all this got to do with the Alliance Party. Well …….Ian James Parsley.

Parsley stood for the Alliance Party as their candidate in the European Election in 2009. A few months later he defected to the UUP-UNCUF (Tories). Failing miserably in the 2010 Westminster Election, Parsley has recently rejoined the Alliance Party. This may or may not make him look “silly” but it makes the Alliance Party look extremely silly…especially as he has been elected as an officer of the Party in East Antrim.

Defecting from one Party (Alliance) is just about acceptable. But defecting from two Parties is not credible.

All of this makes Alliance rank and file look like Manchester City supporters. For the best part of two years, they regarded Parsley as a traitor. Now he is back among them. So thats ok then.

I dont think so. Carlos Tevez will only be forgiven if Manchester City win the Premiership. Ian Parsley will only be forgiven if he actually wins a title for Alliance. It wont be good enough for him merely to have ambitions to succeed Stewart Dickson (61) East Antrim MLA……..at the expense of seemingly more loyal Alliance figures in the constituency…..such as Gerardine Mulvenna, Gerry Lynch and Brendan Heading.

Yet Alliance need to be making headway west of the Bann. And it is hard to see how an Alliance Party influenced by Parsley……avowed unionist…. can go down there. And Alliance need to maintain their challenge in Belfast and suburbs. So hard to see how an Alliance Party influenced by Parsley………avowed conservative….can go down there.

In my next post, I might try and find a connexion between Mario Balotelli and the Alliance Party.