Did Julian Smith pull a fast one?
- 16 January 2020
- From the section Northern Ireland
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"Who are you? Rip Van Winkle?"
That was how the late Ian Paisley once put me down during a DUP news conference, when he thought my question showed me to be out of touch with the latest developments.
At the time I thought the DUP leader was being rather harsh. But at the start of this week, I really did feel like a latter-day Rip Van Winkle, as I returned to Stormont to find it bristling with life.
Last week I had to travel to England for a family commitment. Having been away when the New Decade, New Approach deal was sealed made the impact of the ghost assembly's sudden resurrection seem all the more striking.
Not for the first time, something which once seemed inconceivable now appeared perfectly logical, given the twin pressures brought to bear on our politicians from exasperated health workers and disgruntled voters.
Northern Ireland election results: Alliance approach pays off
- 13 December 2019
- From the section Northern Ireland
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Alliance took some heat early on in the election campaign for not standing aside in certain seats as part of a pro-Remain coalition.
But the "no pacts" approach appears to have paid dividends, with the cross-community party's vote up overall and the ultimate prize of a Westminster seat, succeeding Lady Sylvia Hermon in North Down.
Read full article Northern Ireland election results: Alliance approach pays off
General election 2019: What's at stake in Northern Ireland?
- 18 November 2019
- From the section Election 2019
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What's at stake in Northern Ireland in this Westminster election?
For EU remainers and nationalists it's a chance to turn the tables on the DUP, who have been enjoying their moment in the sun propping up the Conservatives for the last two years.
Read full article General election 2019: What's at stake in Northern Ireland?
Abortion recall: Another bizarre day in recent Stormont history
- 21 October 2019
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Stormont has witnessed some pretty bizarre days before.
Rumbustious exchanges over the renewable heat scandal, a police raid on the Sinn Féin office, the sight of the armed loyalist Michael Stone jammed in the doors by the brave security staff who thwarted his attempt to kill Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness.
Read full article Abortion recall: Another bizarre day in recent Stormont history
Brexit: DUP under pressure over 'blood red line' U-turn
- 7 October 2019
- From the section Northern Ireland
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EU chiefs and the Irish government don't think Boris Johnson has moved far enough to ensure no hard border in Ireland after Brexit.
However, back in Northern Ireland the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) is coming under pressure from other unionists for performing a U-turn on its previously declared "blood red line".
Read full article Brexit: DUP under pressure over 'blood red line' U-turn
Gauging NI's response to the PM's Brexit offer
- 3 October 2019
- From the section Northern Ireland
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It sounds eminently reasonable.
Under the contentious Brexit backstop, the people of Northern Ireland were expected to abide by EU trade rules.
Read full article Gauging NI's response to the PM's Brexit offer
Brexit: Where might room for backstop compromise lie?
- 9 September 2019
- From the section Northern Ireland
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When Boris Johnson headed to Dublin on Monday there were no obvious signs of common ground between the British and Irish governments over alternatives to the border backstop.
But many expected the prime minister to repeat his "germ of an idea" for a common food and agriculture zone across Ireland.
Read full article Brexit: Where might room for backstop compromise lie?
Brexit: Dublin scepticism over replacement for backstop
- 7 September 2019
- From the section Northern Ireland
Boris Johnson is due in Dublin for talks with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar on Monday.
Ahead of that, Mr Varadkar's deputy Simon Coveney gave Downing Street a preview of what the prime minister is likely to hear when Mr Johnson sketches out his ideas for replacing what he derides as the "anti-democratic" Brexit backstop.
Read full article Brexit: Dublin scepticism over replacement for backstop
Brexit: No imminent breakthrough in border backstop stand-off
- 20 August 2019
- From the section Northern Ireland
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Boris Johnson's letter to EU Council President Donald Tusk doesn't point the way towards any imminent breakthrough in the stand-off over the Brexit border backstop and the ill-fated EU-UK withdrawal agreement.
However, one interesting aspect of the letter is the PM's willingness to tackle head on the assertion from Dublin and Brussels that their approach is simply intended to protect the status quo and the Good Friday Agreement.
Read full article Brexit: No imminent breakthrough in border backstop stand-off
Border poll not priority for Leo Varadkar post-Brexit
- 7 August 2019
- From the section Northern Ireland
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Although she suggested something to the contrary in an interview a year ago, in recent months Mary Lou McDonald has been consistent that a no-deal Brexit should trigger a border poll.
It's no surprise the taoiseach (Irish prime minister) disagrees.
Read full article Border poll not priority for Leo Varadkar post-Brexit
