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Irish Times
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
Who do you call if you want to speak to the leader of unionism? It's complicated
There were the usual calls during July for unionist parties to 'show leadership' over parades, bonfires and related tensions. Some of this annual criticism was unfair: unionist leadership was evident at local level in various places, even if it was not always leading people in the direction others would prefer. The top level of unionist politics is where a strange, unprecedented rudderlessness is apparent. To paraphrase Henry Kissenger , who do you call if you want to speak to the leader of unionism? The official answer is the leader of its largest party, Gavin Robinson of the DUP . However, the DUP's size no longer conveys dominance. While it still holds a clear majority of unionism's seats, it is clinging on to a bare majority of unionism's votes – 51 per cent in the last assembly and general elections in 2022 and 2024. It managed a more respectable 58 per cent in the 2023 council elections. There is no sense of a prospective recovery. In opinion polls, the DUP dropped below the majority threshold four years ago and after a rebound has fallen below it again, to just 41 per cent of unionist support, in the latest LucidTalk survey. READ MORE The DUP and the UUP jockeyed to be the largest unionist party for decades, but that race appears to be long over. The UUP has been in almost uninterrupted decline for a quarter of a century and is bumping along on half the DUP's vote share. Nobody can foresee it regaining the top spot. All the growth within unionism this decade has been by the Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV). It does as well as the UUP in opinion polls but only half as well in elections, probably due to its appeal and resources being too thinly spread across the region. Although unionism has had significant third parties before, this has generally been at times of high drama, such as the mid-1970s or the years around the Belfast Agreement. Today's three-way split has been driven by Brexit, with voters upset at the DUP's disastrous handling of the issue. However, anger at the sea border has largely subsided to something more like exasperation. The fragmentation of unionism is now sustained not by high drama but by what looks like permanent damage to the DUP's reputation for competence. [ Unionism must offer a positive future, not hark back to a past that was often dark and divided Opens in new window ] An exhausted party system is compounded by unusual circumstances at the top of all three main unionist parties. Robinson was catapulted to the helm of the DUP last year by the resignation of Jeffrey Donaldson, currently awaiting trial for alleged sexual offences. Although Robinson was seen as a future leader, there is an understandable feeling among the public and some party colleagues that his elevation was rushed. The DUP believes its leader should sit at Stormont, as that is the overwhelming focus of Northern Ireland politics. [ Windsor deal an opaque mess, says Democratic Unionist Party leader Opens in new window ] But Robinson is stuck at Westminster, leaving leadership at Stormont to Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, who holds her seat thanks to co-option rather than election. This is all a complicated legacy of the DUP's botched leadership contest in 2021. It continues to undermine the authority of everyone involved. Neither DUP leader is doing a bad job: a poll in February ranked Little-Pengelly as Stormont's most popular minister. That only underscores the ennui in unionist politics, suggesting voters are so fed up with the DUP it no longer matters who is in charge. The UUP is also under unorthodox management. A selection row last year caused the resignation of leader Doug Beattie. With no obvious replacement, former leader Mike Nesbitt stepped back into the role, making clear he was doing so as a final duty before retirement. This unavoidably adds to the perception that the UUP is counting down the days until its own demise. [ Unionists and Sinn Féin have 'common goal' of making NI work, says Ulster Unionist leader Opens in new window ] TUV leader Jim Allister so dominates his party it is frequently described as a one-man band. Paradoxically, he has been sidelined by his shock triumph in last year's general election, when he unseated the DUP's Ian Paisley. This meant Allister had to vacate the TUV's only assembly seat and move to Westminster, where a lone MP struggles to make an impression. The councillor co-opted to replace him at Stormont, Timothy Gaston, is an effective opposition backbencher but that hardly fills unionism's leadership vacuum. The wider context for unionism's lack of direction is the loss of its overall majority in elections from 2017 and the loss of the first minister's post in 2022. Previous DUP leaders used the office of first minister to present themselves as prime ministers of Northern Ireland, an erroneous but easy way to project leadership by default. Little more by way of vision was required. Contrary to nationalist suspicions, the DUP has had no difficulty accepting second place at Stormont. It is having great difficulty figuring out how to lead unionism from that position.
BBC News
a day ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Government denies reallocating £1m of NI peace funding
The UK government has denied reallocating £1m of funding from a cross-border peace project to a new scheme aimed at strengthening connections between Northern Ireland and Great for the International Fund for Ireland (IFI) was withdrawn, with the government saying there was a "challenging fiscal position".It emerged after the government in June announced funding of up to £1m to help groups build connections between NI and government said the two initiatives were "entirely separate" and it "remains supportive of the IFI's aims of promoting peace and reconciliation". The IFI was set up by the UK and Irish governments in 1986 and supports work in Northern Ireland and border counties in the Republic of UK government was due to contribute £4m between 2021 and 2025 in four a spokesman said it "decided not to continue" with a planned £1m contribution in 2024-25."This government inherited a very challenging fiscal position, and needed to take difficult but necessary decisions to place the public finances on a sustainable footing," he said. In June, the government launched a funding scheme worth up to £1m aimed at "strengthening east-west connections".The Connect Fund was announced after a meeting of the East-West council was set up in a deal between the previous Conservative government and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) that saw it return to Stormont after a two-year boycott over post-Brexit trade O'Toole, leader of the opposition in the Northern Ireland Assembly, said the funding decisions were "deeply concerning".The Social Democratic and Labour Party assembly member claimed the "north-south and cross-community" aspects of such funding were being "abandoned".He described the Connect Fund as being "borne out of a clandestine, bilateral deal cooked up between the last Tory government and the DUP". The government rejected the concerns and said the decision to introduce the new funding scheme was in response to sectoral needs."The UK government did not reallocate money from the IFI to the East-West Council," a spokesperson said."These are two entirely separate entities."The government remains supportive of the IFI's aims of promoting peace and reconciliation."A DUP spokesperson said the party welcomed "recent funding announcements".The Irish government said it contributed €4m (£3.45m) to the IFI in 2025.A spokesperson for its Department of Foreign Affairs said: "We are aware that the UK government indicated they were not in a position to make the final £1m instalment of funding in 2024."We look forward to continuing to work with the UK in support of the IFI and hope that the UK will consider further funding to the IFI when its new strategy for 2026-2030 is launched at the end of this year."In a statement, the IFI said it had received financial support from a range of donors including the UK, Irish and US governments, the European Union, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.A spokesperson for the IFI said it was "grateful for the long-standing support from the UK government and the financial assistance provided in supporting our delivery of the IFI's current strategy"."We look forward to continuing to work with the UK government and our partners in delivering critical peace and reconciliation initiatives in Northern Ireland and the southern border counties," the spokesperson added.
ITV News
a day ago
- Health
- ITV News
Co Down councillor says 'lives could be at risk' as laughing gas cannisters found on rural roads
A councillor has told UTV that 'lives could be at risk' after nitrous oxide canisters were found at the side of a road in The Spa area of County Down. These cannisters also known as nos or laughing gas can cause serious health issues if inhaled. Balloons are the items used to administer the nitrous oxide, a potentially lethal gas. DUP Councillor, Alan Lewis said there has been an ongoing issue with canisters being discarded in the hedges of the Ballynahinch area. He said: "This stuff has been found lying along the side of the road, be it one or two tins at a time, but more frequently, it's found in larger quantities of 6 or 10 tins."People in the Spa are really concerned that this stuff is hazardous, it is dangerous."The government made nitrous oxide a Class C drug several years ago under a clampdown on its misuse, back then it was the third most commonly misused that possessing it and using it for the wrong purposes is now a criminal offence under a law that dates back to 1971. Mr Lewis believes the laws surrounding the gas need to be updated: "There is reason to take a look at making sure that if you're caught with this, if you're caught supplying it for the purpose of misuse, that you should face a tough sentence. "There should be repercussions because you're putting people's lives at risk." Often used by medics as an anesthetic or pain reliever, recreational use of the gas can have lasting implications. Medical Director of NI Ambulance Service, Nigel Ruddell says: "Chronic use can cause even more serious problems, in particular, long term nerve damage because of its effect on some of the vitamins in the body. "Pure nitrous oxide is very dangerous because it contains no oxygen at all that you get the body can rely on. Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know.
Sunday World
2 days ago
- Health
- Sunday World
Councillor warns of laughing gas dangers after ‘toxic' den discovered in Co Down town
Under current legislation, the knowing or reckless supply of nitrous oxide (NOS) for inhalation is banned and dealers face up to seven years behind bars DUP councillor Alan Lewis concerned about laughing gas use in Ballynahinch A Co Down councillor has expressed concerns about a life-threatening culture of laughing gas use following the discovery of a 'toxic' den in Ballynahinch. Under current legislation, the knowing or reckless supply of nitrous oxide (NOS) for inhalation is banned and dealers face up to seven years behind bars. However, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) has found that it can readily be bought online for around £25 a bottle. Discarded nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, canisters. Pic: PA Slieve Croob representative Alan Lewis said he has personally removed 'multiple cylinders' from the Grove Road after residents complained that they 'can be regularly found at this location'. 'These gas bottles were found with pump nozzles attached and used balloons scattered alongside,' he said. 'There are dozens of these bottles being found on a weekly basis at this location. 'At the moment, we are working on how to dispose of these gas bottles safely. These gas bottles are a real and present danger for younger children who will not know what they are. 'Some of these bottles were thrown away without any thought for others' safety, some even still had balloons attached, which an innocent child could easily pick up and be exposed to the dangers. Inhaling nitrous oxide is dangerous. It's being talked about as a quick high." The potentially deadly gas is typically released into balloons from small silver canisters and then inhaled. Prolonged use can cause vitamin B12 deficiency, anaemia and nerve damage. Doctors previously warned that using the substance can lead to spinal injuries and, in some cases, even death. The DUP councillor warned that, despite the nickname, laughing gas isn't funny. 'This gas starves the brain of oxygen, leading to dizziness, unconsciousness, and in some cases, death,' Mr Lewis said. 'There is a toxic warning label on these for a reason, it's dangerous. 'Some brands are stronger than regular NOS and may contain unknown additives. You never know what you're inhaling. Life is worth more than a 60-second high. Stay smart. Stay safe. Don't be stupid.' The PSNI said nitrous oxide is a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and warned that 'making possession and sale for recreational purposes a criminal offence'. The Northern Ireland Public Health Agency website states that New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) have received a high media profile over the past few years, 'in part because of the difficulties in restricting access to these drugs using the law and also because of deaths in Northern Ireland relating to NPS.' DUP councillor Alan Lewis concerned about laughing gas use in Ballynahinch News in 90 Seconds - Tuesday, July 29
Belfast Telegraph
2 days ago
- General
- Belfast Telegraph
Education Minister pays tribute to ‘remarkable' former Co Down principal following passing
John Wilkinson had been in teaching for more than three decades, 19 years of which were spent at Dromore High School. Mr Wilkinson was awarded an OBE in 2013 for his contributions to education in the Queen's Birthday Honours List. While principal, he helped lead the Co Down school to recognition for academic excellence and it was designated as a Specialist School for Science. Education Minister Paul Givan paid his respects to the senior education figure who 'dedicated his life to serving others and shaping the lives of young people across Northern Ireland'. The DUP MLA said: 'Throughout his long and distinguished career, John embodied the very best of our education system — professionalism, compassion, and a deep commitment to excellence. He approached every role with humility, wisdom, and a quiet strength that earned the respect and admiration of colleagues, pupils, and the wider community. 'In recognition of his outstanding contribution to education, John was awarded an OBE in the 2013 Queen's Birthday Honours List — a richly deserved honour that reflected the esteem in which he was held. 'John's legacy is one of quiet but profound influence — a legacy that will be felt for generations. A devout Christian who served as Clerk of Session in First Dromore Presbyterian he will be remembered not only for his many achievements, but for the values he lived by and inspired in others. 'My thoughts are with his family and all who knew and respected him at this difficult time, especially Hazel, Jonathan and Joanna." Beyond the school gates, Mr Wilkinson was also on the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) where he was Chair of the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee and Interim Vice-Chair of Council. Mr Wilkinson was also a Non-Executive Director with the Southern Health and Social Care Trust. The Co Down man is survived by his wife, Hazel, children, Jonathan and Joanne, and grandchildren Oscar, Darcie, Maisie and Kasie.
