A MLA should never have a photograph taken which will be a hostage to Fortune. And I have a feeling that the pic of Alex Attwood in that Norn Iron shirt will come back to haunt him. Has the Minister for the Envionment no advisors who can stop him making an eejit of himself?
I don’t think it will be an issue on the doorsteps in Mid Ulster but if I was a Sinn Fein strategist, I would distribute leaflets of Alex, who seems to be auditioning to take over the role of Norn Iron mascot from Jamie Bryson.
Excellent Outreach. Poor Politics.
Keeping An Eye On the Czar of Russia 
A wee bit idiotic. Of Course it could be worse. Just look at Micheál Martin and this now infamous photo… http://www.thesun.ie/irishsol/homepage/news/4799063/Ill-never-Fianna-Fail-back-on-Sinn-Fein.html
Yes it could be worse. But it seems a South Belfast Metro-Textual thing to be doing.
Alex like Conall has letsgetalongerist tendencies but showing up at Windsor Park like this is tacky. It will be balanced by Ulster shirt at Ravenhill and Antrim shirt at Casement of course.
But really this was Civil Service advice and the Special Advisor should really have taken Alex aside and said that this wont look good in Andytown News.
Will it cost him a seat? No……and it shouldnt.
But its risible.
If was truly about balance, and not mere optics, then I’d expect the SDLP and SF to be tabling motions in Stormont and Belfast City Hall calling for the Irish National Flag to be flown at both institutions on the 21st of January to mark the First Dáil, St. Bridget’s Day/Imbholg, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter Monday, May-Day/Belataine, Lammas/Lúghnasa and Little Christmas/Nollaig na mBan while we’re at it.
Both parties need to get their finger out. 7 days are not too much to ask compared to some 18 of display now accorded the British flag.
“but if I was a Sinn Fein strategist, I would distribute leaflets of Alex, who seems to be auditioning to take over the role of Norn Iron mascot from Jamie Bryson”
SF would not do that sort of thing.
Yes they would.
Agreed. Of course they would. If your political opponents show you an open goal you shoot for it. That’s politics.
Exactly.
People like Conal MD, Seamus de Faoite et al from the SDLP are tweeting the image with pride today; but not SF. I actually think you are missing the bigger outreach message that such an image speaks positively to. To campaign negatively on such an image would be bad politics and it would not be republican or socialist politics.
Conall would do that.
And it is natural to make the best of it.
In my view, it’s a mistake and a hostage to Fortune.
Well, I don’t like the strip, (I mean like at all), but when Gerry’s telling everyone about his rubber ducky, you have to say that politics are not what they used to be. Ducky ar la, mar a dearfa…
You don’t like it Mick….but you would still cheer it. LOL
I’ve said it before, I’ll cheer anything in green…
Letsgetalongerism.
Suspect this sort of thing, the willingness to take risks, just as with the john lewis decision, may look risky to some, but pays off for alex because he is seen to be bigger and better than other politicians, by doing what he thinks is the right thing to do.
I like Alex. Hes a brave man.
But I wouldnt have worn that shirt.