Author Archives: fitzjameshorse

LetsGetAlongerist Coup d’Etat?

Posted on January 6, 2014 by fitzjameshorse

That whole Haass thing. The LetsGetAlongerists have been confounded…again. They have had a bad couple of years. In 2011, Alliance party gained more power than their mandate deserved? Yet have not actually done anything “progressive” (as the LetsGetAlongerists claim to … Continue reading →

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RAF Recruitment Posters (Derry)

Posted on January 3, 2014 by fitzjameshorse

Typical that LetsGetAlongerists are getting all worked up about the SDLP successfully objecting to a Recruitment Poster for the British Air Force (“RAF”) in the Brandywell area of Derry. Fair play to the SDLP …they know Derry. I dont know … Continue reading →

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I Welcome The Haass “Failure”

Posted on January 2, 2014 by fitzjameshorse

For about an hour on Monday, it seemed quite possible that the Haass Talks would “succeed”. I dont know how Success and Failure is measured but I welcome the “Failure”. Indeed I dont even think they were intended to succeed. … Continue reading →

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It May Not Be A Cross- Community Carol Service…

Posted on December 24, 2013 by fitzjameshorse

It may not be a Cross-Community Carol Service…but I like to think of it as MY kinda LetsGetAlongerism. Cliftonville Football Club versus Linfield Football Club. It is not a promising start is it? Kafflick-supported Reds versus Praddistant-supported Blues. Nationalist versus … Continue reading →

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So Farewell Then Glyn Roberts

Posted on December 23, 2013 by fitzjameshorse

Well that didnt last long. Just ten days after being appointed to the Parades Commission…salary £22,000 per annum…Glyn Roberts, the Chief Executive of the Independent Retailers Federation has resigned from the Commission. Why? There was some speculation (this Blog passim) … Continue reading →

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Haassta La Vista Baby!

Posted on December 23, 2013 by fitzjameshorse

So farewell then Dr Richard Haass. And his charming assistant, Professor Meghan O’Sullivan. As I write this…almost 1pm on 23rd December there is no agreement on “Flags, Parades and The Past”. Two questions. Was there ever likely to be one … Continue reading →

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New Fleg?

Posted on December 17, 2013 by fitzjameshorse

You can never have enough Flegs. Especially in Bonfire Season. So a new Fleg for Norn Iron.? I suspect it will be designed by a Protestant Boy and a Catholic Girl from an Integrated Education-type School. Alternatively it might be … Continue reading →

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Congratulations Glyn Roberts

Posted on December 13, 2013 by fitzjameshorse

Glynn or is it Glynn (could not be arsed checking) is a familiar face at Conferences (not just SDLP) that I have attended in the past few years. He is generally to be found in the Exhibition area with his … Continue reading →

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Mandela

Posted on December 6, 2013 by fitzjameshorse

What can you say about Nelson Mandela? I think it depends on your age. It is generational. You might be 21…31…41…51. Or you might be 61 as I am and a “news junkie” and “political anorak” for half a century. … Continue reading →

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LetsGetAlongerists…Progressives?

Posted on December 4, 2013 by fitzjameshorse

I note Ian Parsley (formerly Alliance Party, then Unionist-Tory, now Alliance again) is talking about a third pillar in Norn Iron Politics. Mr Parsley calls these people “Progressives”. Are these the people that I have been known to describe as … Continue reading →

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