Who said what when the microphone was still on

GORDON Brown's 'Bigot-Gate' clanger dominated the headlines midweek. But what have the local politicians been saying off microphone?

When Catriona Ruane and Margaret Ritchie were on radio this week debating the state of South Down, both were at pains to say that they had a 'working relationship' and that they both 'worked round the Executive table'.

But did they sit down for a natter together beforehand? And when the radio microphones were turned off did they grab a quick cuppa together before hitting the campaign trail?

And round the Executive table, when the 'serious' business of government is put away, do the ministers have a catch up on the football scores, the weather and whether the election polls actually mean anything?

The populace wants, nay demands, that the Sky News's sound team mic-up the Northern Ireland political elite so we can hear what they really think.

On the other hand, would they say anything that was of remote interest to those of us who are not sad political anoraks? Which, of course, touches on the question - will Northern Ireland politicians ever say anything relevant?

What has been remarkable about the past couple of weeks campaigning has been the outstanding ability of many of the candidates to comment, during a Westminster election, on issues that have been devolved. Health, education, agriculture and policing have all been discussed ad nauseum.

Either they view the electorate as completely stupid on such constitutional matters, or they slavishly follow an agenda set by the media or others - whatever you think, just try not think about it too much: otherwise you might end up really, really considering what way to cast your vote.

Wise men came from the east

IT is said that the wise men came from the east. And every Glentoran fan maintains this to be the case. But can a wise woman from the east represent the ‘wise men’ from the east in Westminster?

It’s set to be the battle of the party leaders as Peter Robinson seeks to enhance his 49% poll share last time out in East Belfast and Sir Reg Empey, MLA for the area, wants to nibble away at the DUP poll backing with his Westminster candidate for the consitituency, former Irish rugby star, Trevor Ringland.

And into the fray is the Lord Mayor, Naomi Long of the Alliance Party.

In the past two elections in East Belfast, Alliance has been nudging the 20% mark. Given Ms Long’s profile as Mayor, she could attract a few extra votes. But where will these come from? Will it be from DUP female voters? Or will her moderate tones appeal to UUP voters who are Tory refusniks? Or will it be from Sinn Féin voters who think that Ms Long is so nice she deserves that wee ‘x’ on the ballot paper?

Where Naomi takes votes from could indicate so much. On the other hand it will show so little in the first past the post poll.

What can be said definitively is that should Ms Long drive a wedge between the unionist dominance, the Liberal Democrats would be eternally grateful for what would effectively be an extra seat when it comes to bargaining in what the pollsters predict will be a hung Parliament.

End of an era

IAN Paisley Snr took his final bow at Westminster this week, with his coda being a final question at PMQs.

The Prime Minister took the time to pay tribute to the ‘Big Man’, while Secretary of State Shaun Woodward gave a send-off to that other veteran MP who is packing in Parliament, Eddie McGrady.

They were two men whose work in the headlines often over-shadowed other matters, such as their toiling on behalf of the rural community and many, many constituencies.

Throughout the Troubles they were two of the voices many associated with commentary or even invective, voices called upon for comment in the wake of tragedy.

With the passing from the political spotlight some may regard it as the ending of an era.

But, one thing is sure; with Paisley passing from the Parliamentary stage…the volume levels on your TV and radio will no longer need to be adjusted when Northern Ireland questions and debates are covered.

Old stager steps aside

Eddie McGrady not standing
 for Westmninster

THE venerable old stager remaining in the SDLP elected ranks, Eddie McGrady, has sad he will not stand for his Westminster seat in South Down, after 23 years as a MP.


Eddie’s decision opens a political, and dare we say it, an election can of worms.


His heir apparent is one Margaret Ritchie, possessor of the party leadership. And that’s a party that is committed to end double jobbing. So if she grabs the seat then it will be out with the Ministerial post and MLA slot.


But one can always be too quick to assume what way an election will go. After all Eddie McGrady snatched the seat from Enoch Powell. And Ritchie is up against the ever-popular Education Minister Catriona Ruane.

DUP cash payback secret

THE DUP has decided not to say how much their MPs had to pay back in Parliamentary expenses.

The SDLP, Sinn Féin and the Ulster Unionist MPs on the other hand have all divulged how much they’ve coughed up in re-payment of expenses.

Seven of the nine DUP Parliamentarians were asked to re-pay money in the wake of the Legge Review, but just how much each have re-paid has not been revealed.

One wonders why not? Conspiracy theorists feel free to fill any blanks…or call the Nolan Show.

No consensus on Troubles?

In a shock, nay a stunning moment, the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee said that there was no common ground here as to how to move on from the Troubles.

To quote Homer Simpson: “D’Oh!”