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Election 07

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Gildernew minister

  • Martina Purdy
  • 4 Apr 07, 08:36 PM

Speaking of Sinn Fein ministers, a colleague of mine was out interviewing Michelle Gildernew at Carson's statue today as a car with an agriculture official from her new department drove past. Ms Gildernew noted the time at around quarter to four and wondered aloud where he might be going so early in the day!

New Sinn Fein Ministers

  • Martina Purdy
  • 4 Apr 07, 06:32 PM

Spent half an hour today at a press conference with Martin McGuinness and his new ministers. Conor Murphy was introduced to the media as Regional Development minister - and Mr McGuinness joked he would be building an airport at Camlough. But a quickwitted hack swiftly pointed out he had just closed one - a barbed reference, no pun intended, to the newly demiitarised British army base Bessbrook, once the busiest heliport in the world. The Sinn Fein ministers laughed heartily at the remark before one pointed out the new airport would be a civilian one!

Some Tory stories

  • Betsan Powys
  • 4 Apr 07, 04:40 PM

So now we know who all the candidates are. Or are not in some cases.

Do you remember Thomas Goodhead? The great-great nephew of Aneurin Bevan was welcomed very loudly by the Conservatives as their man in Blaenau Gwent.

But Thomas has "failed to submit his nomination papers in time" and has been replaced.

Over in South Wales West though, they're sticking with their line-up for the list. There had been moves afoot - or so the BBC was told - by senior members of David Cameron's shadow cabinet to try and persuade Chris Smart, number two on the list, to stand down. Inaccurate accusations about Mr Smart's past conduct have been doing the rounds but he's sticking with it. And they're sticking with him.

And since I'm talking Tory, is David Cameron preparing to give independence to the Scottish Conservative Party? Yes, according to this week's Spectator and the ConservativeH Home site. He's planning a "velvet divorce" that would give the Scottish Tories the freedom to take up their own identity and agenda "that could be distinct from that chosen by David Cameron for England and Wales".

What do Welsh Conservatives think of that then?

"Interesting" they say. "As you know in Wales we already have a separate Welsh director, Welsh HQ and Welsh board of management".

Ah but identity and agenda? Whose signature was first - above Nick Bourne's - on the Welsh manifesto?

Reg's Choice?

  • Martina Purdy
  • 4 Apr 07, 11:22 AM

Speculation about the DUP's line up continues, and the Ulster Unionist leader is still mulling over his choices, having selected Health and (by default) Employment and Learning. If Sir Reg Empey doesn't take health, some party hacks suggest he will look weak. But he has a good excuse: it is too big a job for a party leader. On the other hand if he takes it, that clears the way for his deputy Danny Kennedy to take DEL. Otherwise, Alan McFarland may get health, and Sir Reg could take DEL. That no doubt would leave Mr Kennedy disappointed. On the other hand,if Mr Kennedy does get a ministerial post in DEL, and Sir Reg does take health, Mr McFarland could be promoted to Deputy Leader and focus on rebuilding the party.Watch this space.

What about the committee chairmanships. Is the DUP going to be rotweiller at the heels of the Sinn Fein education minister? What about the new health minister? Who is going to have to face a grilling from a DUP health committee chairman (possibly Iris Robinson)?

New Ministers

  • Martina Purdy
  • 4 Apr 07, 11:19 AM

Sinn Fein is set to unveil its ministerial team at 12 (this time with the departmental jobs attached.)

Michelle Gildernew is tipped for Agriculture, Conor Murphy, for Regional Development, Catriona Ruane, tipped for education. That leaves Gerry Kelly expected to join Martin McGuinness as a junior minister in the Office of First and Deputy First Minister.

But given that speculation on the ministerial portfolios has not been entirely on the money, these predictions come with a disclaimer and the news from Sinn Fein that we can expect to hear who gets what officially tomorrow. So far only Mark Durkan has formally declared who is getting the party's sole portfolio. No surprise that Margaret Ritchie is the new minister for Social Development.

The DUP's Nigel Dodds and Peter Robinson are out of the country which is likely to delay the DUP choice. Edwin Poots is now being strongly tipped to take a ministry. Might it be Culture Arts and Leisure?

Sorry!

  • Martina Purdy
  • 4 Apr 07, 11:12 AM

SORRY!!

It's officially day four of my blogsitting and I must apologise for the lack of entries. It's been rather hectic as I have been covering Stormont solo these past few days and it has been rather busy. Also the technology is a bit of a learning curve for me. So I'm very sorry if there are any frustrated bloggers out there!

Speaking of apologies, there was a much overlooked comment at Gerry Adams' news conference yesterday (to unveil his ministerial team). That was his reference to relations with the media. Mr Adams suggested he could sometimes be combatative (though at times was given due cause) before wishing everyone a Happy Easter and looking forward to a new era. Was this a small act of contrition for suggesting Mark Devenport asked stupid questions? Or was it merely an olive branch to mark a new era where? These are good days, the Sinn Fein leader declared.

PS If Mark Devenport is out there, does he have any advice on blogging???

To close or not to close

  • Betsan Powys
  • 4 Apr 07, 09:47 AM

You're talking to me. Fantastic. Keep 'em coming.

So what did you make of the rumble in the Llandudno jungle? OK, so no fists were thrown a la Rhyl just down the coast a few years ago but the gloves came off over the future of Llandudno hospital.

Labour guarantee that if they win the election, it has a safe future.
Is that a guarantee that all its services are safe? No.

That was over breakfast.

By lunchtime they were faced with a long list of other hospitals all queuing up for the same guarantee. In today's West Wales Manifesto Withybush, Glangwili, Bronglais and Prince Phillip Hospitals are all guaranteed an equally sound future. Like football managers are 'safe' when they get the dreaded backing of the club? No say Labour - a real future offering the kind of services the community really needs.

Still sounds a bit like 'downgrading' to some people.

And was 'to close or not to close' ever the question in Llandudno? No, say Labour. No say the Lib Dems and the Tories. No too say Plaid Cymru, who pepper their every utterance on health nationally with references to Labour's "hospital closure programme".

Were Labour wise to spell out their position then, especially since the guarantee they did give came more than a little undone under scrutiny? Maybe not.

Nothing much has changed for Llandudno Hospital but after weeks of goading, at least Labour took a gamble and came out fighting.

Two more bits of news.

I gather there was a meeting of South Wales West Conservatives last night. Will they stick with the same line-up of candidates or not? More on that later.

And in the list of categories into which I save this blog - Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland etc - a new name has appeared. Cymru. Soon to appear then, a blog in Welsh.

Who says the BBC never listens?

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