Former DUP SpAd. One third of @stormontsources - I frequently block people. Any views I express are my own and no one else’s
Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
Joined January 2009
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I’ve been told a number of people are annoyed I’ve blocked them. A few years ago I blocked no one. I criticised people who blocked. But it’s been the best thing for me to start blocking. I see very little abuse and has made this app more tolerable. Rules for blocking are simple:
1. If you are an anonymous account and you make even the most mild rude comment - blocked
2. If you are a real person and you are rude on more than one occasion and I don’t know you irl - blocked
3. People I know or have met will get a lot of chances, but eventually I will block. I just don’t need it
I’m more than happy for people to block me for even the smallest of reasons. Who cares!
The DUP looks weak because it’s on the back foot.
This is an interesting column from David Graham on ways for the party to go on the offensive. I suspect the party will remain in a defensive posture until the election and take no risks; that would be a mistake.
David Graham: The DUP must change its game plan while it still can before events decide its future
belfasttelegraph.co.uk/comme…
Tim Cairns retweeted
Is Sinn Féin making a major move to strengthen its grip on Northern Ireland politics?
With Pat Cullen standing alongside Deirdre Hargey in South Belfast and Chris Hazzard announced as the candidate for Strangford, Sinn Féin is making some significant moves ahead of the next election.
David discusses what these candidate announcements tell us about the party's election strategy and whether more MPs could make the move into Stormont.
#SinnFéin #NorthernIrelandPolitics #Stormont
@dmcbfs | @timcairns
Tim Cairns retweeted
DUP MP @carlalockhart has addressed thousands at a rally in Portadown this evening.
“Profound consequences must mean profound consequences . Michelle O’Neill must go. That’s where I
stand and this lady is not for turning.”
Read more : bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6eq…
Tim Cairns retweeted
DUP MP @carlalockhart : Suggestions that I am simply “satisfying hardliners” misses the point. I am standing up for what I believe is right, even when that means taking difficult decisions.
The Upper Bann MP says the issue cannot be resolved with “symbolic or token gestures”
Tim Cairns retweeted
Is Gavin Robinson getting a hard time, or is he showing leadership under pressure?
Michael and Tim discuss the DUP leader's handling of mounting political and internal party pressures, from the ongoing controversy surrounding Carla Lockhart to the wait for Jim Gamble's report.
Michael argues that Gavin has shown a bit of backbone but is that enough to steady the ship?
#DUP #GavinRobinson #NorthernIrelandPolitics
@dmcbfs | @timcairns
Tim Cairns retweeted
How much have we really learned from the Troubles?
On this week's episode, the team reflect on recent protests, political disagreements and how much things have changed compared to 20 years ago arguing that, despite tensions, the fact that disagreements have remained largely peaceful is a significant improvement on the past.
Have we made more progress than we sometimes give ourselves credit for?
#NorthernIreland #Politics #TheTroubles
@dmcbfs | @timcairns
Nobody tell Chris Donnelly about this episode of the View. He must have been marking homework that night as I’m surprised he wasn’t on……
Coming up tonight on @BBCTheView...
100 years on from the partition of the island, is Irish nationalism any closer to achieving its goal of a united Ireland?
@MarkCarruthers7 will speak to Sinn Féin's
@PearseDoherty, SDLP's @ClaireHanna & Fianna Fáil's
@OCallaghanJim
Tim Cairns retweeted
Can you support a protest while condemning the language surrounding it?
David discusses the nationalist response to the Garvaghy Road parade controversy, making a distinction between opposing the parade and being uncomfortable with the abuse directed at unionist politicians.
Where should the line be drawn between political protest and personal abuse?
#NorthernIreland #GarvaghyRoad #SinnFéin
@dmcbfs | @timcairns
The same person answering those questions is the same person that chooses to put Chris (and me) on the show! Not sure what the point is.
Chris is well paid (as are we all) for taking part. He is the most used nationalist voice on the BBC. He’s been on TV and radio more than 95% of Sinn Fein MLAs. So whatever this is about is unclear
For the record Cairns did know where to look. David and myself laughed at the end of what was referenced here, for my part I laughed as I found it funny, I completely disagree with what Michael said, I’m sure we can get into it at another time!
Tim Cairns retweeted
Miss last night’s @bbctheview ?
Catch up now on YouTube
The three unionist party leaders debated Drumcree fallout, Stormont’s future and elections.
With analysis from @SuzyJourno @timcairns & Noel Doran.
youtu.be/emGGO7iQjDU?si=jIDe…
Tim Cairns retweeted
.@timcairns made an important point with which I agree. @GRobinsonDUP is a fundamentally decent person. He is a nice guy. He’s not malicious or nasty.
He is not the problem. It’s others, and everyone knows who they are. They are those whose personal interest binds them to sustaining a lawless mobster in office at all costs.
Tim Cairns retweeted
EXCLUSIVE: DUP MP Carla Lockhart quits as a party officer in a move which could lead to her leaving the party. She's been on a collision course with Gavin Robinson over Drumcree as she wants him to collapse the Executive now.
belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/…
Tim Cairns retweeted
I thought you were on Nolan last night! *rubs eyes*
Tim Cairns retweeted
"Unionism seems to be in a place were everybody is shouting at each other."
Former DUP special adviser @timcairns tells @MarkCarruthers7
Tim Cairns retweeted
🆕 EPISODE of Stormont Sources STREAMING NOW on podcast apps and YouTube.
"Sinn Féin’s Big Election Gamble & DUP Divisions Explained"
Watch here: youtube.com/watch?v=2rvGSFnp…
Listen on Podcast Apps: stormontsources.com/listen
@dmcbfs | @timcairns
Tim Cairns retweeted
“He honestly didn’t understand”
Steve Goff’s daughters, Madeleine and Freya, described on @GMB how their father was unaware of the dangers of gambling, which ultimately caused his death
We need independent, public health warnings about the risks of gambling, including suicide
Tim Cairns retweeted
Down the corridor at the same time as this shabby spectacle, the perm sec told the Finance Committee that it is now too late to get a pay deal for 20k plus civil servants in time for Christmas wages.
The two big parties would rather distract from that failure.
Tim Cairns retweeted
A statement on yesterday…..
Everything I said in that interview was true. However, rest assured I’m doing my best to turn things round.
I have been in a mental health clinic for the last 10 weeks, finally discharging so I could attempt to play in Belfast
I owed that to my family, in particular my daughter to see me play for what could be the last time….. I also owed it to the fans who have supported me throughout my 21 years on tour
I also owed that to World Snooker who have been amazing from day on in all this, in particular Simon Brownell and Neil Tomkins who have remained in touch regularly, even Simon paying me a visit in the clinic itself
I’m not ok, but I’m ok in that itself. I’ve been much worse in the last few months than you saw yesterday. I literally didn’t see a future in anything…..
My daughter kept me going, the therapists, staff and all the other patients were amazing and helped me through some really dark days
I see the light now that I couldn’t see before but I do now. I also know it won’t happen overnight. I’m a work in progress!!! My fight and determination on the table has always been there for ones to see. I need to show those same fighting qualities off it now for a while
Please don’t detract anything from Jordan yesterday, he’s been aware of my struggles and that can’t have been easy to play in but he handled it with grace and skill as I knew he would. Im proud to call him a friend
I hope the rest of the event is a success and I will continue my treatments going forward and then see what’s ahead
Thank you to every single message I have received on here, instagram, Facebook, text messages and WhatsApp’s, I’ve seen them all but a bit overwhelmed to reply right now. Just know that they have helped me a lot but I’m not going anywhere just yet!!!! I have so much to live for and this is only the beginning of my new journey
Also, I was not made to do any interviews, I was simply given a choice and felt I owed it to everyone to speak. The media team at WST have been incredible through all this too
Thank you all x