eastbelfastdiary

Two big decisions for the New Year: I have decided to leave the Labour Party and join the Green Party. I'm also winding up East Belfast Diary.
I have been involved with the Labour Party on and off throughout my adult life, including four years as a local councillor. Since moving to Northern Ireland, thirteen years ago, I have spent around eight years in either the Irish or British Labour Parties...

At a time of rising unemployment, welfare ‘reform’, and an economic situation that’s continuing to deteriorate, what is the issue that has brought people out onto the streets and caused public disorder? Of course – a disagreement about flags.
So we’re doing the time warp again in Belfast – or are we? It’s not that simple and as I've said before, it’s an issue that matters enormously to some. This piece in the Belfast Telegraph has had hundreds of comments....

The Marie Stopes clinic in Belfast has now been open for a few weeks and continues to need the support of everyone who believes in a woman’s right to choose. Marie Stopes has asked supporters not to stand outside the clinic (alongside the clinic’s opponents...

Labour in Northern Ireland has responded to the consultation document on improving the operation of the Northern Ireland Assembly, which closed this week. The consultation document was an exercise in buck-passing on some admittedly difficult issues....