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ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ BLOGS - The Devenport Diaries

Archives for May 9, 2008

Shoring Up Caitriona 2

Mark Devenport | 14:40 UK time, Friday, 9 May 2008

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Our Education Minister is set to unveil her proposals for replacing academic selection to the Executive next Thursday. This blog had already noted the apparent significance of the Sinn Fein back bench reshuffle Shoring Up Caitriona?

The DUP's Mervyn Storey claims the reshuffle is "a vote of no confidence" both in Paul Butler and Caitriona Ruane. But he doesn't think it will save the minister from "the crisis she has landed herself".

For John O'Dowd's take on both the back bench reshuffle and the chances of a front bench reshuffle, it's worth listening to Inside Politics at a quarter to one on Saturday on ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio Ulster. He appears together with the Ulster Unionist Basil McCrea who is proposing the formation of an executive sub committee on post primary transfers during a debate to be held in the Assembly on Tuesday.

Who is getting a gong?

Mark Devenport | 11:03 UK time, Friday, 9 May 2008

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A year on from the restoration of devolution, my colleagues on ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ NI's "Politics Show" have decided to assess the performance of our MLAs.

A panel made up of four political observers sat down and made their selection in four categories: Politician of the Year; Best Communicator; Best Newcomer and Political Moment of the year.

Arguably the most coveted award - Politician of the Year - saw a number of high profile names considered including Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness, Margaret Ritchie, Peter Robinson, Arlene Foster and Michael McGimpsey among others.

In the Best Communicator category there was a general bemoaning of the quality of many of the MLAs abilities to communicate. As one panel member put it: "I'd say out of 108 MLAs, 100 you wouldn't pay to see."

Another commented: "The pool - or rather puddle - of talent is so shallow, it's hard to draw up a medium-length shortlist even."

MLAs who did win praise included Sammy Wilson, Basil McCrea, Danny Kennedy, Barry McElduff, who was described as a cheeky chappie, Naomi Long, the First and Deputy First Ministers and Gerry Adams.

In the Newcomer category, the panel singled out Basil McCrea, Anna Lo, Michelle McIlveen, Daithi McKay and Simon Hamilton. Eventually they came to a unanimous decision - as they did in all the categories.

The only dissension as such was over the Political Moment of the Year. Among the events considered were the meeting of Gerry Adams and Ian Paisley last March, Devolution Day May 8th, Iris Robinson being ejected from Stormont, Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness at Wall Street and with President Bush, and the resignation of Ian Paisley Jnr.

In the end it was all agreed amicably. To find out who the winners are, though, you'll have to join Jim Fitzpatrick for the Politics Show this Sunday starting at noon on ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ 1.

ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ iD

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