tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2623721153002721356.post868389974601487722..comments2024-03-27T12:40:09.015+00:00Comments on Three Thousand Versts of Loneliness: UUP shooting the messengerOwen Polleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00567787385096905811noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2623721153002721356.post-45698622516621582832011-02-11T00:25:24.792+00:002011-02-11T00:25:24.792+00:00Just been watching Hearts & Minds, Michael McG...Just been watching Hearts & Minds, Michael McGimpsey being interviewed by Noel Thompson.<br /><br />More than once, under Thompson's challenge of inaction, McGimpsey trumpets the reduction of 19 Health Trusts down to 6 as an example of how he has introduced major reform rather than avoiding it.<br /><br />- November 2005 - Shaun Woodward (Health Minister) announces the Health part of RPA, chief among which was that 19 Trusts would come down to 6<br />- 1 April 2007 - the 19 old Trusts are dissolved, and the new 6 Trusts come into being. (still under direct rule, the Minister being Paul Goggins)<br />- 13 April 2007 - Michael McGimpsey named as the UUP's choice for Health Minister when devolution is restored<br />- 8 May 2007 - devolution restored and McGimpsey takes office as Health Minister.<br /><br />Is McGimpsey trying to mislead the people into thinking he achieved a major reform that was actually planned, carried out and completed under direct rule?Mikenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2623721153002721356.post-91250759769160736892011-02-10T18:22:30.266+00:002011-02-10T18:22:30.266+00:00MN has history, he denied TE said anything about t...MN has history, he denied TE said anything about the GAA and Gays then it was found out to be true. Now he says he didn't criticise the press when he obviously did.<br /><br />He could get himself a reputation if he isn't careful.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2623721153002721356.post-17823181726297102292011-02-10T08:53:02.044+00:002011-02-10T08:53:02.044+00:00I have Gonzo. An interesting response to quite a ...I have Gonzo. An interesting response to quite a wide ranging critique on the UUP. Mike's obviously most exercised by the sentence devoted to him.Owen Polleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00567787385096905811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2623721153002721356.post-57567192879885041542011-02-09T22:48:58.069+00:002011-02-09T22:48:58.069+00:00There is plenty of room within 'the system'...There is plenty of room within 'the system' for opposition, simply no money or 'official' place within the current structures. All it takes to be in opposition is principle.thedissenterhttp://www.thedissenter.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2623721153002721356.post-67320651347592644282011-02-09T22:19:18.972+00:002011-02-09T22:19:18.972+00:00Take it you've seen this?:
http://mikenesbitt...Take it you've seen this?:<br /><br />http://mikenesbitt.co.uk/2011/02/09/shoot-the-messenger/Belfast Gonzohttp://sluggerotoole.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2623721153002721356.post-28263624519029132042011-02-09T10:54:45.188+00:002011-02-09T10:54:45.188+00:00God DR. You do send yourself jumping through logi...God DR. You do send yourself jumping through logical hoops after the UUP rabbit. <br /><br />Whether the UUP chooses to go into opposition or not, and you repeat the difficulties which I raise, there is a serious problem if the party is perceived to set out its stall on the budget one minute and then change its mind the next. You can go through all the 'oh but we actually said this and it was misinterpreted' stuff if you like, but that was the impression given. So the UUP is abstaining. Well, whether you like it or not, and whether it's the party's fault or not, that's makes it look impotent.<br /><br />The BT added the byline about opposition being the only option. I didn't say that. I said that the party had to resolve the conundrum of having powerless ministers in government. I acknowledged that that's treacherously difficult, but I suggest that being all over the place on issues like the budget certainly doesn't help! <br /><br />As for Mike Nesbitt, just how far you can push it? Push it why? To what avail? To sound paranoid or as if you're in denial? If media treatment of the UUP isn't kind, it's because there are so many opportunities. If you miss one crisis then the next one will be along in a minute. <br /><br />By the way tactical voting is not the same as striking a specific agreement with a party. That's a pretty silly and, may I say it, a confused point.Owen Polleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00567787385096905811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2623721153002721356.post-10421739270711738002011-02-09T10:28:50.174+00:002011-02-09T10:28:50.174+00:00Owen, your own article is confused, and you answer...Owen, your own article is confused, and you answer your own questions, full opposition to the budget would involved going into opposition, but there is no role for opposition in the current system, it would have to be created, and to be realistic 17 MLAs out of 108 is not strong enough to manufacture that role at present.<br />Therefore the current position of abstaining on the budget is the only real option, and as we can see bit by bit it is falling apart as it is clear the figures, few as they are, down add up.<br />With regards Tom and Mikes views, probably both are right to an extent, but Tom more-so in that even if it was 99% media spin and 1% reality, taking on the media rarely if ever works, Mike should know that and maybe he knows just how much you can push it.<br />As for election "pacts" all sorts of official and unofficial agreements are needed under the STV system, not jut with the DUP but say at times with the SDLP in South Down and who knows even with SF if dissidents became an electoral threat someday!DRnoreply@blogger.com