Irish people who stand against refugees are a national embarrassment.
For generations Ireland’s sons and daughters have travelled the world, seeking refuge from hardship. We should be the most understanding.
I dunno what else I’d agree with
@JacquiLambie
, but I thought this was the best summation I’ve seen anywhere about the situation around vaccines and passes. Australian politics tends to be very direct! Fair play.
🌹☘️ On Mo Mowlam’s anniversary we remember a leader who was dedicated and committed to bringing people together and ensuring the voices of women and young people were heard above the din of tribal chieftains. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam uasal.
@brotherjones_
This is so powerful. This was the anthem of the civil rights movement here in Northern Ireland too. Solidarity from Nashville’s sister city - Belfast.
No other NI broadcaster can afford Nolan, so there’s no reason why his wage shouldn’t be cut to help save regional news staffers and valuable young journalists.
Let me get this clear - teachers who have worked their asses off to help pupils and parents through the pandemic are having their wages threatened with a cut by a DUP MLA who won’t even do the basics of her own job, like turning up for the day?
Catch yerself on Michelle.
April 2020 in the height of lockdown - Cressida Dick takes part in an organised mass gathering on Westminster bridge. She isn’t wrestled by her male colleagues or pinned to the ground. Stark contrast to the treatment of women in
#ClaphamCommon
tonight.
In five years as an MLA, Pat Catney did more than some have done in decades on the blue benches. Breaking the veto on marriage equality and legislation for universal period products will change thousands of lives. I am utterly heartbroken to see this SDLP changemaker lose out.
Nanny has been in A&E since the early hours. The small area she’s in has 10 full private bays & 19 elderly people on trollies out in the corridor. Staff completely overwhelmed.
Don’t try to tell me billionaire tax cuts are worth it. Don’t tell me collapsing Stormont is worth it.
If your response to politicians from Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil commemorating the Bloody Sunday centenary is to call them Tans or tweet "Fuck the Brits" - how're you going to cope with talking to the average Alliance voter, who will be key to winning any Unity Referendum? Grow up.
What I still can't get my head around - they're cancelling Christmas, which is a couple of days with an increased virus spread, but not cancelling Brexit, which risks shutting off Britain's main supply line in January, when we expect COVID-19 to peak.
Are they on fucking drugs?
Sir, I am a homosexual - I have been blessed with great theatrical style and rapier wit. If I wanted to create a political stunt it would be much more dramatic than louts tearing posters down 💅🏻
I am truly humbled by the support shown to me by my neighbours in Lisnasharragh & the incredible SDLP campaign team who’ve been with me everyday through this 4yrs. Sadly I have had to leave the count early and I will be taking some precious family time in the coming days.
#LE23
On this day in 1973 the UDA/UFF murdered Sen. Paddy Wilson, SDLP founder and General Secretary, and Irene Andrews. They were killed because they believed in a non-violent NI, a place where the gun was firmly out of politics. My thoughts are with their families today. RIP.
Full house in the Ulster Hall to engage in the conversation about a New Ireland. Less than ten protestors outside. Changed times in Belfast.
@IrelandsFuture
I was heartbroken by this tragic news this morning about such a kind soul. Mam babysat Aideen, Dara and Fiona for years when they were kids. Aideen was such a bright light who had been through so much. My thoughts are with Noel, Maura, Jacob and Eva
There’s got to be people in the NIO tonight looking at just how successful Joe Biden’s trip down South has been and absolutely kicking themselves that we could’ve had a couple of days of that level of positivity here if only Rishi and the DUP copped themselves on…
The DUP Leadership would do well to remember what they put the Reavey family through because of an abuse of Parliamentary Privilege, before they comment on
@columeastwood
standing up for the innocent victims of Bloody Sunday.
Seeing as we’re all about 90s nostalgia at the moment with
#Agreement25
, I was one of the first children to appear on the
#SchoolAroundTheCorner
sofa with
@frank_broadcast
in 1997 on my own because I talked so much. What’s changed?… 😇
Tonight I know there will be many people, including my friends and family who will enjoy the 11th night safely. I hope they have a good night.
We are all let down however by heinous threats like this in the Cregagh - an area I represent and work with residents in every week.
Will Jamie Bryson ever bother to come down from his ivory blue bin and stand for election to promote his views, or is it just too easy to continue to slabber and rabble rouse from the sidelines?
A couple of South Belfast tally facts.
Claire:
✅ tied with Alliance/DUP in Leadhill.
✅ took 20% of votes in Belvoir.
✅ 30-40% in Nettlefield.
✅ 30% in Erinvale.
✅ 10 - 20% in Donegall Pass & Sandy Row.
@ClaireHanna
is truly a united community MP.
#GE19
#GE2019
Mary-Frances Eileen Blaney (née O’Toole) February 5th 1935 - May 26th 2023.
Nanny. Mum. Francie. Mrs. B. Mrs. Blaney.
“…and remember my sentimental friend that a heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others.” – The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
His name was John Pat Cunningham and you had no problem standing in complete solidarity with the man accused of killing him. Nothing pro-life about that.
The mental whiplash of hearing Arlene talk about the majority of people in NI being against the Protocol when we listened to the will of the 56% of people here who didn’t want to leave the EU being denied at every turn for five years.
À la carte democrats.
To be clear - Johnny Mercer is seeking to make a sob story out of the man accused of killing John Pat Cunningham, a 27 year old man with an intellectual disability who was shot in the back.
I am aware of a tweet from a former BBC NI Journalist which, in my opinion, infers that I am part of an organisation which supports child abusers. I am sickened and distressed by this and will be reporting it to the PSNI tomorrow. There can be zero tolerance for homophobic hate.
When I met Joe Biden in February in snowy Nashua, New Hampshire - I told him I was a SDLP Councillor in Belfast and without hesitation he asked me how John Hume was doing.
Major coronavirus story tonight - a family wrongly isolated. Their 14 year old son told to stay in his bedroom for 2 weeks. They turned to the Nolan Show for help - & we have found out they were given completely the wrong advice by the health service.
#NolanLIVE
, BBC 1, 10.40pm
Think of the political courage it took for Hume to talk to Adams to stop the Provos, the political courage it took Trimble to get the UUP into government with SF & the political courage it took McWilliams to lead the Womens Coalition in misogynistic NI. Then look at Donaldson...
If Chief DUP Slabber Jonathan Buckley wants to debate in the Assembly chamber he should vote for the election of a Speaker, instead of trying to heckle
@MatthewOToole2
.
I just tried to raise my dismay and concern at continued cuts to services for children and young people with
@chhcalling
at the
#PinkNewsBelfast
event. He told me I was “talking bollocks”. Offensive and distasteful - this man doesn’t care about people here.
UDA. UVF. Saoradh. Dissidents. Don't care whatever shade they come in - there can simply be no place or space for paramilitaries in NI. Solidarity to
@DUPleader
and anyone else under active or coercive threat from paramilitary scumbags.
There is work going on in East Belfast with the local political parties to secure good quality pitches across the sporting codes. It won’t end because of threats or intimidation.
East Belfast GAA threatens no-one. If a future British King can pick up a hurl, anyone can.
BREAKING: Police are carrying out searches at playing fields used by East Belfast GAA at Church Road in Castlereagh Hills.
It comes after reports that a device has been left in the area.
The playing fields have been evacuated until the search concludes.
@BelTel
Thank you
@Translink_NI
metro driver who kicked this man off 7A for shouting horrendous racist things at passengers. He then followed me through Shaftesbury Sq, screaming more racist & islamophobic slurs, throwing punches and spitting. Only stopped midway through me calling PSNI.
Just had my passport checked at the port at Birkenhead, to sail back to Belfast. It’s almost like there are already checks in the Irish Sea...
CC:
@duponline
I’ve known Christopher Stalford for almost a decade and a half. We disagreed on much, but there was always craic to be had. I used to tease him about being the only self-confessed Republican in the DUP with his GOP keyring. My thoughts are with Laura and the kids. Awful news.
I’ve been concerned for some time about the kind of behaviour and sense of insecurity in the city centre during restrictions. Unfortunately today I became a victim of that behaviour. Feeling shook and TBH angry for anyone else who has had to put up with awful behaviour like this.
Really disappointing that the DUP in Belfast City Council are making an issue about the use of the word "murdered" in relation to the Ballymurphy massacre victims. Its pretty shameful.
Conversion therapy is abuse. Targeting conversion therapy at young people is child abuse.
There can be no excuse or “conscientious” objection - it is inconceivable that a board member of the NI
@Ed_Authority
can advocate for conversion therapy. Nelson McCausland must resign.
🌹☘️ A very special eBay find - Mo Mowlam’s signed 1992 election leaflet. An incredible woman, who is so often forgotten about in reflections about the Good Friday Agreement. Looking forward to getting this framed.
Around a thousand people died when the Nazis firebombed Belfast during the Blitz. Many more gave their lives fighting fascism across Europe. I’m sick to the pit of my stomach to see swastikas brought on to the streets of our city by scum and the people standing with them.
As an openly LGBT+ politician in the current climate of hate, with BBC Radio Ulster platforming homophobia again this morning, I'm always concerned about my safety and the safety of the folks around me. Solidarity with those in Alliance targeted today. We're not going away 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Well done that woman! -
@AmandaFBelfast
asks Jeffrey if he'll bother to apologise for the damage done to NI's public services over the last two years of the DUP boycott.
I believe Jim Wells mentioned me again today on Radio. As an LGBT+ elected representative it makes me feel totally safe that another elected representative who physically shook with rage in the Assembly debate on conversion therapy last week is misrepresenting me. Totally safe 🙃
Two absolutely awful anti-Irish commentators on
@SkyNews
right now who fail to understand Ireland’s role as the gateway between Europe & Nth America. Ireland’s at the heart of the EU with the strongest bonds in the US. Joe Biden understands how important Ireland’s soft power is.
When journalists come to write the summation of Jim Wells' political career I hope they do not omit just how fervent his obsession was with LGBT+ people and our lives and just how much distress that caused to so many of us. He wasn't some eccentric uncle - he caused real damage.
Paul Givan’s resignation as First Minister caused the current collapse of the Assembly - but he’s on the radio right now lamenting the failure to get
#DaithisLaw
over the line because the Assembly is down. What a schmuck.
Interesting to see Arlene Foster use the NHS as a reason to stay in the UK - why not make the creation of an All Ireland NHS a selling point for unity and a British value we could make part of a New Ireland?
@campaignAINHS
I’ve just given a statement to the PSNI about threats against my SDLP team and I, alongside the further theft of campaign material. I’ve worked across every party line in City Hall to deliver for Lisnasharragh. Thugs in the shadows aren’t going to deter me or my team now.
#LE23
As every day of this Brexit madness continues, I think more and more of John - who poured his life and spent his health trying to get people to understand the complex nature of relationships here, and the importance of us all being able to have a European identity.
Ben Habib, who said he’d let people drown in the channel. Jim Allister, who lamented the passing of convicted paedophile Davy Tweed. Ann Widdecombe, who defended pregnant convicts being handcuffed during labour. Not an ounce of Christian charity between them. They are the past.
TUV leader Jim Allister, Reform UK deputy leader Ben Habib, former Brexit Party MEP Ann Widdecombe and House of Lords peer Kate Hoey at an anti-Protocol rally in Dromore Orange Hall.
@BBCNewsNI
Nolan has the resources to go after his online tormentors. The rest of us don’t. The person who told me I should be grateful I hadn’t been murdered is still a prolific tweeter. Social media companies need to act.
It has taken a lot of effort, and to be honest a lot of heartbreak to get back to this point, but finally back to 15,000 steps and even a little bit of running. March - August were awful but I feel like I’m making progress again.
I swear to god,
@MartinMcAuley
just asked me to sign his passport form.
Can’t believe it. Bowled over by all the support. Thank you all so much - and thank you to everyone who put their trust in me. Belfast is a changed place - I’m looking forward to the next four years!
#LE19
I am so sorry to those families affected by this. The chance to say goodbye to a loved one is so important.
I am embarrassed today to be a Belfast City Councillor.
77 hours after arriving in A&E and my 87 year old Grandmother has finally been admitted to a ward in the RVH.
I have never seen the hospital in such a state and all of my sympathy is with the nurses trying to keep it running - in comparison with politicians who are failing them.
DUP MPs continue to chatter over our SDLP MP
@ClaireHanna
in Parliament. Their churlishness extends to every chamber and political body they're elected to. They're not serious at all about trying to make people's lives better or improving our public services.
Thousands of households have lost the Universal Credit uplift just before Christmas, which a Sinn Féin Minister refused to preserve, but don’t worry lads the postboxes will be green - these boys have got it all sorted 🙄
A statement dripping with contempt for the victims of Loyalist Paramilitaries and State Agents. Utterly reprehensible.
ALL victims deserve truth and access to justice. The mindless menace of violence cannot be ignored to suit sectarian agendas.
🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ For the first time ever Belfast City Council will fund Belfast Pride. Unanimous support for £50k of non-rates money to support one of the biggest festivals in our city. Proud to have worked with
@AntoFlynnser
,
@micky_murray
&
@oharamal
to make this happen for
@belfastpride
🧵 Belfast should be a safe and welcoming city. So many of you have been in touch with me over the last two years about those who have taken advantage of restrictions to spread hate in the city centre. Belfast has felt uneasy, even unsafe, for many - myself included. 1/2
I had to protect my account yesterday because, in response to my condemnation of a bomb threat against local government colleagues, I was being swamped by homophobia and transphobia. The attempts to dehumanise us are winning. We have to fight back. The alternative is unthinkable.
Whether it’s the UVF in East Belfast or Saoradh in Derry the poisonous influence of paramilitaries will only destroy the community. Long past time that they & their cheerleaders were off the stage altogether.
There can be no excuse for coercive control, intimidation or violence.
A Black Woman Mayor of Derry. A Gay Mayor of Belfast.
Don’t say it too quietly… but despite all their social media hatred, threats and trolling - the far-right aren’t winning.
Places where the DUP have significant influence:
❌ Washington D.C.
❌ Brussels
❌ Berlin
❌ Paris
❌ Westminster
❌ Dublin
✅ Stormont
✅ Mid & East Antrim Council
Either Jeffrey Donaldson or Edwin Poots would be mad to collapse one of the last places the DUP hold influence.
With the great news that the horrendous hoarding around Bank Buildings is due to come down by Christmas - can we finally please crack on with a proper pedestrian zone around this whole area? Belfast for people, not cars.
I know it’s not a job you were elected to, but you’re in it now and you should do it.
As a Councillor who, like every other Councillor, has done my job for the last four years, I’m sick and tired of MLAs from your party pretending like this is nothing to do with you.
Despite two hate protests.
Despite the PSNI withdrawing.
Despite constant trolling and libel.
Despite threats and intimidation.
Largest
@BelfastPride
to date. Tens of thousands. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
“Kid, It’s going to be okay…
It won’t always be like this. It’s going to get better.”
Thank you! I am so unbelievably humbled by the massive increase in support we have received in Lisnasharragh, almost doubling our vote after 4yrs of people writing us off. Here, in Botanic & Black Mountain we've shown a different future is possible for the SDLP. Onwards!
#LE23
Six years ago the DUP had four MLAs in Lagan Valley. Now they’re so afraid of losing to this big-hearted rogue they’ve moved a former leader to a new constituency and they’re only running two candidates in
#AE22
. Some turnaround.
Pat Catney will continue to put
#PeopleFirst
.
Jayda Fransen can fuck right off if she thinks the Ormeau is fertile ground for spewing her far-right shite and using daft anti-vaccine and tin-foil hat conspiracy theories is the way to do it.
Hate is not welcome here.
I was on the receiving end of Réada Cronin’s abuse on a couple of occasions over the years - to the extent I had to block her. For all of her talk about prioritising positive mental health, the news stories about her nasty comments come as no surprise to many of us.