PhD graduate of @ModLangs_QUB @QueensUBelfast: travel writing, (anti)tauromaquia, cultural identity. Creator of @ProyectoNoel.
Magheramorne, Larne
Joined October 2013
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Mark McKinty מרקוס علامة retweeted
Stormont is significantly more impressive as a parliament building than Holyrood or the Sennedd, but it's never been completed as was intended. It was supposed to be a new government district on the edge of the city with courts, ministries etc. That's a plan from a different time and it's incomplete nature is evident when you're there as a visitor or as a member of staff or an MLA.
That said, unionism are missing an opportunity to grab what this really represents: a nationalist party talking about a new home for the Government of Northern Ireland. To be fair, the SDLP advocate for partition within a united Ireland, so a new Belfast legislature isn't a contradiction for them, but for unionism it's a useful test for everyone. It's a debate on future institutions that embed Northern Ireland as a concept and it does help to move the government of Northern Ireland symbolically away from Stormont as a symbol of unionist Ulster. It's the kind of generosity that will prolong the existence of NI and it's place in the union. But that's an academic point when the NHS is almost nonexistent, when the place can't agree a budget, when a new walls and roof won't help the chronic disfunction of the assembly to change. It's window dressing at a time when the shops almost bankrupt.
The simple fact is that if you asked most people in NI whether the Assembly should get a new home and to free-up Stormont for more profitable use they'd more likely reply, "there's a cheaper option and it includes 90 p45s".
The SDLP wants to shut down Stormont and move the Assembly to a “more appropriate and more accessible” building in Belfast city centre.
The party argues that its plan will “bring democratic decision-making closer to the people it serves”.
Read more: tinyurl.com/2knmnzym
Mark McKinty מרקוס علامة retweeted
Do you ever open the X app, and there is something REALLY INTERESTING that you want to read, and it disappears as the page refreshes??
Mark McKinty מרקוס علامة retweeted
Londoners have come together today to support the Armed Forces community.
Serving personnel, veterans, Ministers and members of the public marked #LondonPoppyDay, raising vital funds for @PoppyLegion while remembering the service and sacrifice of generations past and present.
Mark McKinty מרקוס علامة retweeted
Costume Party
Host: What are you?
Me: A harp.
Host: Your costume's too small to be a harp.
Me: Are you calling me a lyre?
Mark McKinty מרקוס علامة retweeted
We held a minute’s silence to remember the victims of the railway accident in Spain.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected and their loved ones.
Mark McKinty מרקוס علامة retweeted
Agradecemos de corazón todas las muestras de afecto, apoyo y solidaridad que la comunidad internacional está teniendo con España por el accidente ferroviario ocurrido ayer en Urda (Toledo).
Con esta cercanía y humanidad, los españoles nos sentimos acompañados en estas circunstancias tan dolorosas.
Hmmm... standing up for jobs for young people but not wanting jobs offered.
A lot more could be said and connections drawn. Not the first iteration of this story either.
Derry City and Strabane District Council has voted to withdraw any involvement in the organisation or marketing of any future jobs fair that includes the British Armed Forces.
bbc.in/4szG890
Mark McKinty מרקוס علامة retweeted
We are deeply saddened by the railway accident in Spain. Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those who have lost their lives, and we send our heartfelt support to the injured and everyone affected.
Mark McKinty מרקוס علامة retweeted
Our most sincere condolences to the people of Spain at this hard time.
Mark McKinty מרקוס علامة retweeted
Young Unionist chairman Jay Basra has called on Queen’s University Belfast to explain why the Order of Service for its Remembrance Sunday service on 8 November states that Orange collarettes are not to be worn. He says members of the Queen’s Orange Society and Queen’s LOL 1845 have worn their collarettes at previous services without issue.
Jay Basra said:
“The Order of Service for this year’s Remembrance Sunday service at Queen’s University Belfast explicitly states that ‘collarettes are not to be worn’. This was not the case in previous years.
“This is despite members of the Queen’s Orange Society and Queen’s LOL 1845 having freely worn their collarettes at previous services of remembrance without issue.
“I find this a deeply disappointing step backwards for inclusion and respect at Queen’s University Belfast. What has been perfectly acceptable for years has now seemingly become a problem, and I believe the University owes those affected an explanation, particularly as they appear to be the only group facing restrictions on what they wear.
“Queen’s frequently prides itself on being an inclusive institution, welcoming and representing people from all backgrounds and traditions. Yet preventing members of the Orange Institution from wearing their collarettes while participating in a service of remembrance raises serious questions about how far that commitment to inclusion extends.
“Remembrance should be an occasion that brings people together, irrespective of their background or tradition. There is no reason why members of the Orange Institution should be made to feel that their identity or traditions are unwelcome.
“This decision only reinforces the perception among some unionist students that Queen’s remains a cold house for their community. I would urge the University to reconsider this restriction and explain why a practice permitted for years is suddenly deemed unacceptable.
“I look forward to clarification from Queen’s University on the reasoning behind this decision, and to seeing this unnecessary restriction lifted.”
Mark McKinty מרקוס علامة retweeted
Rangers' remembrance display today against St Johnstone, with the Sandy Jardine Stand covered in poppies 🇬🇧
A proper tribute, and well done to everyone who put it together.
Mark McKinty מרקוס علامة retweeted
In July 2025, I warned about the perils of reheating Drumcree and was promptly ridiculed by Bryson, Allister, and Lockhart following High Court ruling.
Where we are now? All three have successfully rejuvenated Sinn Féin, thrown Unionism into chaos, and offered no solutions.
The latest post from @Choyaa13 sluggerotoole.com/2025/07/04…
Mark McKinty מרקוס علامة retweeted
can we normalize returning summaries to the backs of the books again instead of reviews and praises? i just want to know what the book is about.
Mark McKinty מרקוס علامة retweeted
Me, trying to remember an important conversation from a week ago
Brain: best I can do is a millisecond of footage from when you were six.
As a "traditionalist" and "massive royalist", why would @VinnieJones65 dribble this (frankly disrespectful idea) out to @louistheroux? 🤔
Now I'm no constitutional expert, I leave that to people like @yuanyi_z, but like... not sure that Vinnie Jones gets to decide who has divine right of Kings or not
Mark McKinty מרקוס علامة retweeted
The French Embassy in Monaco holds the world record as the closest embassy to the border of the territory it represents. The building the embassy occupies is just 50 metres from the French border.
