Irish in London | works in communications | former columnist @thetimesIE @BelTel | tenor | aspiring writer | passionate about mental health
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Joined May 2010
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This makes total sense. We should explore progressive revenue raising measures so those who can afford to pay a little more do so. This is one of the few levers at our disposal. Let’s get on with it.
Stormont’s Finance Minister has brought a proposal to the Executive to lift the rates cap, a measure which currently acts as a subsidy for the wealthiest homeowners. The level of the cap could be lifted in the next financial year if Executive agrees. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gp…
A good thread on the Assisted Dying proposals in the House of Commons 👇
Interviews like this with the Archbishop on assisted dying on GMU makes me so grateful for the separation of church and state. Glad @csbuckler challenged what was ultimately a sermon, with many deeply questionable and contradictory assertions with no actual supporting evidence.
I’ve worked with politicians for nearly 20 years in different settings. The overwhelming majority of them are good people, motivated by a sense of public service. It takes real courage to put yourself forward for election. Wishing all candidates the very best for today #GE24
As usual, @CalumAM speaks for a nation
Really disappointed @Translink_NI - was getting my ticket for Glider at 18:08 from Cherryhill. Gestured politely to the driver that’d I’d only be one minute. Shrugged his shoulders and just drove on. Really disappointing customer service.
Further public service duty from @JP_Biz 👇
.@williamcrawley - why don’t we scrap rates and introduce a local government income tax, with progressive thresholds and bands? We’d then have more policy options to sustainability revenue raise. The Scottish Govt has looked at this several times.
Genuine q - why don’t we scrap rates and introduce a local government income tax, with progressive thresholds and bands? We’d then have more policy options to sustainability revenue raise. The Scottish Govt has looked at this several times 👇 gov.scot/publications/consul…
Developing a proper, meaningful childcare policy in NI could be absolutely transformational in lots of different aspects of other economic and social policy - @HamiltonAoife is such an authoritative, expert voice on this 👇
"We are at a crisis point... Childcare is unaffordable. We need a long-term strategy & immediate supports."
@HamiltonAoife @EFCCG
#SundayPolitics | @MarkCarruthers7
Few people can really claim to have changed lives & made the world a better place - he wouldn’t say it, but @Cmacf76 is one of them. His talent, compassion, dedication & unrelenting grace never ceases to amaze me. I’m lucky to call him a friend & can’t wait to see what’s next.
I’m an Irish nationalist, but the idea that a successful unity vote (probs v close) & the subsequent process to leave the UK & form a new state, with a significant number of people not wanting either, would end division is just not credible. It’s a deeply unserious narrative.
Gareth Brown retweeted
We’re currently hiring for a range of positions based in Belfast. Visit soni.ltd.uk/about/careers/ to find out more
How NI is actually funded has always been hugely important in shaping our political dynamic, but is often wildly misunderstood. How devolution is funded is inextricably linked to how it operates. Kudos to @JP_Biz for continuing to persevere & wading through treacle to explain 👇
124? 127? 150? Where should the ‘fiscal floor’ be set for public services funding in Northern Ireland bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-i…
Gareth Brown retweeted
Some quick arithmetic on Stormont £2.5bn. If £785m is accounted for by new fiscal floor, £1.125bn is stabilisation fund & the £600m reform fund is mostly reallocation it implies that the rest is for pay & is close to the £590m pressure Dept of Finance has talked about.
A really important report from @CommonsNIAC which could transform political/public life in NI, if agreement on reform could be reached - a natural evolution of GFA to move to a political process from a peace process. One for @campbellclaret @RoryStewartUK @RestIsPolitics
Following a year-long inquiry, this morning...
committees.parliament.uk/com…
ALT Image shows the front facade of Parliament Buildings at Stormont, with the text: "We have published our report on the effectiveness of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement"
Gareth Brown retweeted
I was in No 10 in 2009 when UNSC voted on SCR 1860, calling for ceasefire between Israel & Hamas (conflict had killed 13 Israelis and over 1000 Palestinians). PM instructed we move from abstention to vote for ceasefire, against massive US pressure. US then shifted to abstention.
Gareth Brown retweeted
Closing date Thursday 21st December ⬇️ Retweets appreciated
We’re recruiting for Permanent Secretary roles in the NI Civil Service. If you want to make a positive contribution to the organisation, this place and its people, this is your invitation to be part of real change.
Find out more and apply here: irecruit-ext.hrconnect.nigov…