Close the door behind you Jack....

Secretary of State for Justice Jack Straw has faced a backlash after it was revealed that two inmates convicted on terrorist charges were released early from jail due to overcrowding in prisons. After years of tightening security and counter-terror legislation the very least that should be expected from the government is the ability to remove convicted terrorists from society and to keep them under lock and key for the duration of their sentence.

The main terrorist in the limelight over this is Yassin Nassari who was convicted of having extremist material that could enable terror cells in the UK to produce viable devices to be used against the people of Britain.

Deputy assistant commissioner Peter Clarke, head of Scotland Yard's Counter-terrorism Command, said: "Nassari communicated with other like-minded people and shared their interest in gruesome extremist material. He conducted research into how to construct and deploy weaponry commonly used by terrorists in the Middle-East."

Now, those of us from Northern Ireland have had to deal with terrorists released from jail for far more serious acts against humanity that Nassari committed - but the government have to learn from the anger and repulsion felt by many here and apply it to the rest of the UK. We have been on terror alert since 9/11 and the fallout really hit home after the events of 7/7. Those convicted of terrorist related crimes should not qualify for early release under any circumstances, and much like other crimes sentences need to reflect the seriousness of the act. An act of terrorism, or in this case, providing the education needed to anable an act of terrorism is akin to murder.

"Its more than a one night stand"

Ok I'm happy to admit that the focus of my attention this week has mainly been on the delightful Carla Bruni-Sarkozy (check the pics) instead of on the relationship that appears to be developing between Gordon Brown and the President of France Nicolas Sarkozy. The pair of them seemed to be pushing the right buttons with each other over areas of mutual interest/concern (counter-terrorism, immigration, reforms etc etc). That can only be a good thing and is much welcomed.

Sarkozy's only real criticism of the UK and Gordon Brown has been its stance in regards to the EU stating:

"We need the British to get Europe moving,"

I can't say I disagree with Sarkozy on this one. Let's get on with it Prime Minister; bring on the referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. Let the people decide the level of involvment they want to have in the EU and the degree of UK control the EU should have. A referendum was a promised and is due.

UU Coleraine Young Unionist Branch Launched

Hearty congratulations to Alasdair O'Hara, newly elected Chairman of The University of Ulster Coleraine Young Unionist Branch, and all those involved in establishing the society. I can imagine the difficulties in setting up viable Branches in the various UU campuses, due to a largely commuter population and traditionally weak student community. However, with young UUP and DUP Branches strengthening at QUB and the UU this can only be a good thing to re-engage young people with today's unionism.

Commenting on the launch Mr. O'Hara said:

'Whatever certain politicians, such as Alistair Ross, try to claim there remains considerable interest in the Ulster Unionist Party within the student population. I am convinced that many of those duped in recent years are becoming increasingly agitated at the way they were told lie after lie by the DUP. Once power was within their reach the DUP ran for it dropping all principles along the way.'

The Press Release announcing the launch of the Branch also declared:

'The Young Unionist branch at has been officially recognized by the UYUC; the youth wing of the Ulster Unionist Party. This gives it full constitutional rights within the organisation.'

While some doubt exists as to the truth of this statement (among Young Unionists I spoke to at Her Majesty's visit to QUB yesterday), I personally wish Mr. O'Hara and all associated with UU Coleraine YU Branch well with their future activities on campus, application to become 'officially recognized (sic)' by the Ulster Young Unionist Council and endeavours within the UYUC once recognised.

NI Conservatives & the Orange Order

A blog that has been brought to my attention over the last few days has been the Conservative NI blog and this piece in particular on 'Orange McNarry'. It is an astonishing read to say the least. I would recommend that you go and read the article but here are a few gems I ciphered out:

The Editor: 'I would also like to point out I have never been a member of the Orange Order, or Hibernian Order or any other backward facing, history obsessed, parish-pump societies.'

Great outreach.

The Editor: 'In short, the Orange Order is a fundamentally sectarian organisation that won’t tolerate Catholic members within its midst.'

Well being a Protestant organisation kind of explains that.

Contributor: 'Many of the Orangemen may be pleasant gentlement but they are still bigots. The sad thing is that many of them dont even realise that.'

SSShhh! Don't let the cat out of the bag.

The Editor: '[I]t is clear that we do have to address the issue of whether members of the Orange Order - or other sectarian organisations - should be permitted to join the Party but I believe that would have to be a national decision.'

Discrimination on the grounds of religious affiliation?

Obviously this has caused a degree of outrage on the site itself from members of the Orange Order who are also NI Conservatives. I would wonder where UUP defectors Cllr. Peter Bowles and James Leslie would stand on this issue? Or Lord Trimble for that matter? Naturally I would have thought that the Conservatives natural recruitment would come from the UUP but with the sort of nonsense directed at both the Ulster Unionists and Orange Order I see no coherent message from the NI Conservatives.

To cap it off not only does the Editor insult the Orange Order, he goes as far as to call them 'so-called Unionists'. I'm sure the electoral road map into Northern Ireland for the Tories is a difficult one at the best of times, but with people like the Editor it really is a case of foot in mouth.

The Editor has stopped all comments on this blog. I think if he just disconnected his keyboard all would be fine.

Designer Babies and Saviour Siblings; what about Cultural and Physical Predestination?

The passage of the enhanced Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill promises to be a major headache for Gordon Brown’s executive, Parliament and other interested parties. The Sunday Times gave a thought provoking run down of current Government proposals, lobby views, proposed amendments and the treat of certain internal Cabinet rancour.

The labelled contentious issues in the Bill include provision for animal-human hybrids, saviour siblings, designer babies and concedes current ‘need for a father’ requirement. MPs have also tabled amendments to alter abortion limits from 24 weeks to 20 weeks, and the use of artificial sperm and ova in fertility treatment.

Having left the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority to mop up unlegislated grey areas since its establishment in 1991, the Government has decided to revisit this minefield of ethical, religious and cultural division. The problems began from Committee stage and as the article considers, promises to strain relations in Cabinet. The various positions of Labour Ministers, including former Northern Ireland governers Ruth Kelly, Des Browne and Paul Murphy will be under scrutiny - each described as "staunch Catholics".

The article is well worth a read. One of the more interesting suggestions arising from the various lobby positions was this extract:

“Last year The Sunday Times revealed that deaf organisations think parents should be allowed to pick a deaf embryo over one that has all its senses intact, believing that there is a cultural identity in being deaf that families should be allowed to share. Now the British Deaf Association is lobbying for an amendment giving deaf couples the right to use the techniques to ensure they have a deaf baby.

Couples with dwarfism have also sought the right to create children with the same condition as themselves.”

Views vary greatly, differing even within each lobbying, religious and scientific sectors; but this does look like it promises to be either “putting in place the best infrastructure for scientists to help people” or “the most controversial bill of this parliament ".

Update: RC Cardinal reaction from Scotland

A long overdue decision....

Yesterday the Enviroment Minister Arlene Foster announced the long overdue decision on the Review of Public Administration. The DUP Minister has taken the decision and had it passed by the executive (with Sir Reg Empey and Michael McGimpsey voting against) to reduce the number of councils from twenty-four to eleven. The UUP are yet to give a public reason for their stance (I wouldn't count Fred Cobains comments as a statement as its more of an initial reaction). I would have thought that the UUP would have attempted to stand together with the SDLP on this issue but apparently not as she has given her consent to the proposals.

The debate is continuing on Slugger at the moment. I find eleven councils quite an adequate number but I am left feeling that with increased planning powers among other 'devolved' issues that it calls into question the need for 108 MLAs sitting in Stormont. An increasingly relevant local government in council form has to result in a review of the make-up of the Assembly - possibly a reduction to around 65-75 MLAs dealing with the major national issues.

What all parties will be keeping an eye on is the ending of the current council life in 2009. Is it to be elections or an extended council life as a run in to the changes? I'd put money on the likelyhood that no parties (other than TUV) want elections. This would be the ideal opportunity for the parties to strike a deal on pensioning of those Cllrs who wish to step down and offering straight co-options. This would give those involved a chance to demonstrate their succession planning and get fresh faces a settling in period before facing the electorate. But who knows its a strange old world.

Update: Chairman of the UUP Cllrs Asscoiation has this to say on the decision.

MoD working for the Soldiers

I was watching BBC news last night and this story was covered. Lance Corporal Martyn Compton was serving in the Helmond province in Afganistan when his patrol was attacked leaving several of his comrades dead; miraculously he survived although seriously injured with burns covering 70% of his body. Like many men and women Lance Corporal Martyn Compton was serving on the front line, in a dangerous territory, in a profession that carries the risk of death. The story of this man really brought home to me the devasting side of war that goes beyond deaths in a battlefied; it was about the reality of living a fulfilling life afterwards.

Having no knowledge to speak of on the subject of compensation and pension schemes guaranteed to our armed forces I was utterly shocked at the level of compensation granted to Martyn Compoton - origionally a figure of £98,000 - rising to £163, 000 and what can only be called a public backlash. A maximum of £285,000 can be paid and I am left wondering what it would take to get the max payout. The MoD in response states you have to take the full scheme in consideration where a tax free monthly pension is paid out in addition to the lump sum.

When we consider the payouts in cases such as employment discrimination, sexual harrassment in the workplace, etc etc it is hard to stomach what appears to be the low end treatment of our wounded soldiers. It is best summed up by one of Martyn Compton's colleagues:

"If a soldier gives his all to serve his country on front line he is expected to be looked after. If he hears that a fellow soldier wasn't paid as much for his injury, he might wonder what it's all for."

A Career In Politics?

Was a bit bored and was flicking through BBC News when I came across this on young people in politics. It got me thinking about reasons why any prospective young person would submit themselves to the world of politics and whether it would be a wise career choice. For William Hague it obviously was and has paid dividends.

The youth wing of the UUP has been notorious over the past twenty to thirty years due to their intellectual prowess and their ability, if pushed, to seriously undermine their own party. Is that not what being in a youth wing is about? It is a bit stranger in the DUP; a party so tightly whipped and every relation to the outside world on a short leash. What would a young person - who wants to change the political landscape - join a party where your wheeled out to smile on demand? Checkov has picked up on the DUP youths nonchalant reaction to the demise of the Rev. Ian Paisley. I cannot for the life of me imagine this in any other party (well maybe Sinn Fein), a leadership contest should be an exciting and nervous time for all involved.

Welcome to Redemption's Son!

Myself and a few colleagues have decided to start a blog; we all have an active interest in the Northern Ireland political scene and i'm sure a lot of our time will be consumed by analysis of this.

But not all of our time; we also have an eye on both UK wide issues and global affairs. Fingers crossed that you find this site useful and informative.