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Belfast Telegraph
2 days ago
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Donald Trump style culture-war debate erupts during NI council meeting amid ‘trojan horse' concerns
A Donald Trump style culture-war debate erupted over the word 'gender' during a discussion about proposed equality and disability programmes within an NI council district. Ards and North Down Borough Council voted to amend its proposed equality and disability action plans after the DUP lambasted strategies which act as a 'trojan horse' and display 'divisive virtue signalling'. Alderman Stephen McIlveen successfully proposed an amendment getting rid of the use of 'gender' as an affected group in the official document which is ready to go out for consultation as well as removing a whole section on promoting inclusive workplaces. 'I am aware these strategies end up as trojan horses. They drift into political or ideological territory, pushing agendas that don't reflect the views of the community,' he said. 'It is our job as a council to deliver services fairly, for everyone, but we shouldn't get tied up in language policing or box ticking exercises that cost money and create division. The public wants to see us delivering services, not getting caught up in divisive virtue signalling. 'We already have to consider equality in every policy, in every decision, and we do. There is no suggestion we are not meeting our responsibilities, and I see no point in adding yet another layer of policy for the sake of appearances.' The council also removed a stipulation that it would remove 'display assets not in keeping with promoting a good and harmonious work environment' following a fractious debate at the local authority's full monthly meeting at Bangor Castle last week. The fallout echoed something of the culture wars prevalent in the United States, with the Alliance Party accusing the DUP of 'politicising' equality drives and condemning the use of the acronym 'DEI' being used in the debate. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion refers to organizational frameworks that seek to promote the fair treatment and full participation of all people in the US – the policy has been singled out by Donald Trump, the MAGA movement and the modern Republican party for particular ire. Mr McIlveen proposed an amendment to the draft Equality and Disability Action Plans 2025-29. 'I propose that we accept the Equality and Disability Action Plans, except in relation to the Section 75 Category Affected column, to remove the word 'gender,' and use wording reflective of what is contained in the legislation. (I propose we) remove Section 6.2 in totality, and remove the wording 'All public access areas and employee workplace areas are free from display assets not in keeping with promoting a good and harmonious work environment' from Section 6.4,' he said. Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act aims to change the practices of government and public authorities so that equality of opportunity and good relations are central to policy making and service delivery. The alderman's successful amendment withdrew the word 'gender' from all of the groups affected by each council commitment listed in the document. Section 6.2, now withdrawn, referred to 'promoting an inclusive workplace' and vowed to 'increase efforts to identify and amplify diverse voices and representation within the council to ensure inclusivity and visibility for all members'. It also aimed for staff to 'attend and actively participate in LGSC's Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Ambassadors training and events' and 'conduct an anonymous survey to assess employee values and priorities regarding Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion, providing insights to enhance workplace culture.' Section 6.4 of the document refers to 'circulation and workplace areas to be shared spaces for all users'. The removal of the commitment to take away 'display assets not in keeping with promoting a good and harmonious work environment' partly refers to concerns about potential bids to remove the image of King Charles from the council's new premises. 'I fully support treating everyone fairly and with respect, and I say this as someone who has worked in human rights practice in this country and overseas, as well as having served as the Equalities Commissioner for two terms,' Mr McIlveen said. 'Equality of opportunity is hugely important to me, however I have real concerns with the suggestion in this document that we are essentially agreeing in principle for this council to adopt an equality, diversity and inclusion strategy, something that has been afforded no debate in this chamber. 'While other parties seem content to press ahead with this, I and my party are not. We already have strong equality laws in NI, I believe they merit some improvement in some areas, but we also have Section 45 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, that puts a legal duty on public bodies like this council to promote equality of opportunity and good relations. 'So the law is clear. The requirement to have such a strategy isn't anywhere in legislation, this is something being pushed by the Staff Commission, not by anyone else I am aware of.' Mr McIlveen continued: 'I would also point out the Section 75 obligations relate to sex, not gender. The use of the word 'gender' in the document is ambiguous, and open to misinterpretation. Section 75 is very clear, as it refers to men and women, in Subsection 1B. 'Similarly I will not be supporting any aim that neutralises the identity of this borough and its people. We have a council that quite rightly granted the Freedom of the Borough to organisations who have served and defended Northern Ireland, and we display the gifts that have been provided to us. 'We proudly wave our Union Flag. Our council chambers have the picture of our monarch. I will not be supporting the creation of a policy that may undermine this council celebrating this council's history, culture and identity.' Alliance Alderman Martin McRandal said: 'On the first point around gender, and the terminology that is used within the legislation, if that is so, I would have no issue in correcting that to reflect the legislation. 'The second point I do have an issue with. The council is required to comply with equality legislation. This draft document has been prepared by officers with the aim of enabling us to meet our duties under equality legislation. We don't get to pick and choose on that. 'So it is highly inappropriate to politicise the content of the action plan. We agree on an action plan which reflects our duties on the legislation.' Alliance Councillor Hannah Irwin said: 'I think it is quite ironic to hear about how we should not be politicising policies like this, when that is exactly what the proposal before us sets out to do. Using language such as DEI, in the way in which it has been used, is probably just feeding into a political discourse we are seeing at the minute which isn't, I would imagine, the most healthy.' The proposal by the DUP passed after a recorded poll. There were 22 votes in favour, from the DUP, UUP, and Unionist Independents, and 14 votes against, from Alliance, the Greens, the SDLP, and one Independent.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
The Return Of The Alliance 2025 – A Surprise Contender In Local Body Elections
The Alliance Party is back in the fight, ready to shake up the political establishment, and put working people first in local communities across Aotearoa. After years of a lack of a genuine left-wing voice, the Alliance is re-emerging to endorse candidates in the upcoming local body elections. 'For too long, ordinary New Zealanders have been ignored and their needs sidelined,' says Alliance Party spokesperson Quentin Findlay. 'We've watched as political decisions made by a select few fail our communities. That's why we're aiming to elect dedicated, community-focused candidates to local councils.' The Alliance, a strong presence in national politics through the 1990s and early 2000s, last contested national elections in 2014. Mr Findlay says an influx of younger members has led to the resurgence of the party, whose past achievements include paid parental leave and the establishment of Kiwibank. "The failure of our current political direction and a rising energy from a new generation demanding real change have spurred us back into action," he says. 'New Zealanders are crying out for a different kind of politics – one that isn't afraid to stand up for them.' The Coalition Government was pursuing a far right agenda, and was dominated by its minor partners such as ACT, says Mr Findlay. He says the Labour Party opposition had lost its way and was failing to connect with its traditional support base. 'The Alliance is bringing an unapologetic social democratic agenda back to the table – a tradition with deep roots in Aotearoa New Zealand.' Mr Findlay says 'It's time we had councils, and a country, that work for working people. The Alliance is here to help make that happen.'
Belfast Telegraph
5 days ago
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
SDLP Brexit motion ‘aimed at Alliance over its fence-sitting on a border poll'
O'Toole's resolution argues Irish unity only viable way to rejoin EU as England tacks further to right Irish unity is the only way Northern Ireland can rejoin the EU and there is no point pretending otherwise, according to an SDLP motion MLAs will debate on Monday. Stormont sources say the resolution is a way of putting pressure on the Alliance Party over its 'fence-sitting' on a border poll. Alliance has been approached for comment.
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Assembly Rooms: Belfast council considers purchasing historic building
The historic Assembly Rooms in Belfast may soon be taken out of private ownership and bought by Belfast City Council.A potential deal is being considered that could pave the way for the restoration of the derelict building, which dates back to the 18th was the site of the famous Belfast Harp Festival in 1792, which led to the preservation of the ancient tradition of Irish of the proposed deal are confidential. The matter was discussed behind closed doors at a city council committee meeting on Friday. Councillors are expected to meet again within the next seven days, and if it is agreed to make a formal bid for the Assembly Rooms, the move will need approval from the full council on 2 historic building belongs to Castlebrooke Investments, which is behind the delayed Tribeca development in Belfast's city in 1769, the Assembly Rooms are at the corner of North Street and Waring Street. In spite of the building's historical and cultural significance, it has fallen out of use in the past two Assembly Rooms has been placed on a list of global 'at risk' heritage sites by the World Monuments Fund. 'Great historic significance' The leader of the Alliance Party group at City Hall, Michael Long, said final details have yet to be worked out but he was "really hopeful" a deal could be done."The reality is that we now have an opportunity to take hold of the building, which is of great historic significance in Belfast."This will help to regenerate and revitalise this particular area of the city, which has suffered in recent years."So many buildings have been lost in Belfast, this is an opportunity to save this really important building." Green Party councillor Áine Groogan said she too is hopeful a deal can be done."There have been countless political discussions about this over the last number of years. I think there now seems to be a general political willingness and acknowledgement that this is important."The Assembly Rooms is a building that has massive cultural and historical significance for this city but it also has massive economic and regeneration potential."We have large parts of our city centre just sitting there derelict and really needing proper investment and that's what I see this as."BBC News NI approached Castlebrooke Investments about the possible sale of the Assembly Rooms. The company made no comment.
Belfast Telegraph
19-05-2025
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
Agri-food deal between UK and EU not a post-Brexit ‘silver bullet'
The DUP collapsed devolution at Stormont for two years as part of its protest against checks and barriers on the movement of goods between GB and NI, introduced in the outworking of the UK's departure from the European Union. While the SPS (sanitary and phytosanitary) agreement could significantly reduce the number of physical checks on goods required under the current post-Brexit Windsor Framework, the wider EU/UK deal announced on Monday will not remove the need for customs declarations on goods travelling from Great Britain into Northern Ireland. Gavin Robinson said his party would take time to scrutinise in detail what has been agreed. 'We will make our judgment solely through the through the prism of how it impacts Northern Ireland and our place within the United Kingdom,' he added. 'We believe the Government should be radical in moving on from the Windsor Framework and not tinkering around the edges of it. 'An SPS agreement may help ease the flow of trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, but it will not be a silver bullet to the host of problems created by the application of EU law specifically in Northern Ireland only. 'We will assess what progress has been made, but we will also assess whether architecture remains in place that puts Northern Ireland in a different position to the rest of the United Kingdom. We will continue our work to see such architecture removed. 'This agreement will not resolve issues around customs and other barriers to trade, not least in relation to product standards. 'We will continue to make the case for full restoration of Northern Ireland's place within the United Kingdom, including removing the application of EU law in our country and the internal Irish Sea border it creates.' Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O'Neill said anything that removed barriers on trade should be welcomed. 'We were dragged out of Europe against our wishes,' she said. 'There's no nothing good to come from Brexit. And all of this (EU/UK) reset comes as a direct result of trying to repair a lot of damage that has been done. 'First thing I would say is that I welcome the fact that there is a reset. I welcome an improved relationship. 'I think that can only bear fruit in terms of, you know, positive relations and actually ironing out issues when they arise, so that, in the first sense, is a good thing, anything that protects the all-island economy, anything that maximises our access to both markets in terms of trade, anything that removes barriers for trade, then that's something that we will obviously very much welcome.' Alliance Party leader Naomi Long said the deal was a 'first, positive step' in relations between the UK and the EU (Neil Harrison Photography/PA) Alliance Party leader Naomi Long said the deal was a 'first, positive step' towards a 'closer, better relationship' between the EU and UK. 'Alliance has always said the key to resolving the frictions imposed by Brexit has been closer alignment between the UK and EU, and today is proof of that,' said Ms Long. 'Despite not creating this situation, we have consistently come to the table with pragmatic solutions. 'We were the first party to propose an agreement to ease food, plant and animal movements across the Irish Sea. The deal that has been reached on agri-food will benefit not only Northern Ireland, but also the UK and EU more widely. 'While details are still emerging on today's deal, it seems to be a first, positive step in a closer and better relationship between the UK and EU. 'However, further work is clearly required to address issues around customs and veterinary medicines. 'Enormous damage has been caused by the approach of the previous UK government. 'It is vital this package is implemented in good faith and Government continues to take steps to align more closely with Europe to remove red tape, grow our economy and ensure our businesses can trade seamlessly on a north-south and east-west basis. 'Our people and businesses will only benefit if that is case.' SDLP leader Claire Hanna also welcomed the deal. 'This agreement between the UK and the EU is an important moment for all of us who want to undo the damage caused right across these islands by Brexit,' she said. 'These are commonsense proposals that deal with the world of today and tomorrow. 'There are a number of important initiatives included in this deal that will make things easier for businesses here and for many of our citizens when travelling abroad. 'A renewed warmth to UK-EU relations is also very significant, particularly at this worrying time for humanity with conflict raging around the globe.'
