taking a scythe to health

The DUP have outlined their policy on health which reflects a confused and doctrinal approach. On the one hand they want to merge the Public Health Ageny with the Health and Social Care Board while at the same time increase spending on health promotion. The fact that they seem to completely misunderstand the role of the PHA and the need for it show that their hatred of anything established by McGimpsey is all that drives them.

They also lack the courage to tell the community that their long term objective is to privatise social care. Savings in this sector will be gained by reducing salaries to minimum wage. No doubt the very well paid Chief Executives in the private social care sector who have the ears of the DUP will be suitably rewarded for increasing business while staff transfered from the NHS will have their wages halved within three years.

DUP Castle DEA

Welcome to the DUP team for the Castle DEA in North Belfast. A couple of points to note:

First the absence of sitting Councillor Ian Crozier from the line up. Cllr Crozier's relationship with the local community has deteriorated so much that the party have switched him to the Oldpark ward where it is hoped no one knows him.

Secondly note the presence of three candidates, completely at odds with the much heralded North Belfast Unionist Unity agreement where the DUP agreed to only run two in Castle and two Assembly candidates.

Minister Wells

After introducing charges for patients wishing to see a GP Minister Wells receives the first days takings.

Ruane's take on education

A few months ago Peter Robinson announced his long term vision of a totally integrated education system in Northern Ireland.

Supporters pointed to his commitment to integrated education as a sign of the new moderate DUP.

Opponents pointed to his proposal to achieve his objective by simply withdrawing funds from the Maintained sector.

What has been missed in the debate is the nature of the curriculum to be offered in these new integrated schools. An important issue since the curriculum must be capable of meeting the needs of all students in a school.

Enter Ruane stage left to highlight the teaching of the Irish Language in all schools.

Any difference from DUP policy?

Apparently not.
Posted by unionist voter at 05:32 0 comments
Labels: DUP, education
Tuesday, 15 March 2011

A failure to deliver

For a number of years local communities and statutory agencies in North Belfast worked on the development of a masterplan for the former Girdwood Barracks site behind Crumlin Road Jail.

The key issue of disagreement centred on the desire of nationalists to develop housing and the recognition by unionists that housing could create more interfaces and the depopulation of areas such as Lower Oldpark.

While some unionists tried to develop innovative solutions to protect vulnerable areas the unionist community was convinced by Diane Dodds that by refusing to agree to the masterplan concept responsibility for Girdwood would pass from DSD to OFMDFM and the DUP would veto any proposal for housing.

The masterplan was therefore not agreed.

"Social Development Minister, Alex Attwood, today unveiled plans for 200 homes on the Girdwood former military base beside Crumlin Road gaol in Belfast.
~ Monday, 14 March 2011"

Time to deliver Diane, where's the veto?
Posted by unionist voter at 14:47 0 comments
Labels: DUP
Monday, 14 March 2011

mandatory opposition

While the discussions on future relationships in the NI Assembly have focused on the DUP's desire for a voluntary coalition an alternative view would be to consider that such a coalition would give rise to a mandatory opposition.

Those parties with an entitlement to hold Executive office due to the number of elected members returned at election and excluded by other parties will represent a mandatory opposition.

So having had that mandatory role decided by others what will be the remit and responsibility for those parties. The concept of a loyal opposition exists in many democratic systems and the people of Northern Ireland are entitled to hear from the proponents of mandatory opposition what such a system should entail.

Unless of course the proponents of a voluntary coalition don't really want an opposition, loyal or otherwise.
Posted by unionist voter at 15:19 0 comments
Labels: DUP, voluntary opposition
Friday, 11 March 2011

boundary

So politicians in Northern Ireland can now ask for a bung safe in the knowledge that such action is not considered a crime.

Nice to see democracy developing, next thing you know a business oligarch will be invited to invest in a football team.
Posted by unionist voter at 14:56 0 comments
Wednesday, 9 March 2011