"The empty pipe-dreams" Gordon Brown on Student elections

In 1971 Gordon Brown, now Prime Minister, wrote a short article for "The Student" newspaper on the nature of elected student office; and we would submit that his conclusions still hold true today, and there is much from it which our own Students' Union officials could learn - none more so than Mr Gerry Carroll.

Pipes and promises have mixed uneasily this week with the realities of student power.

Despite the talk of food, failures and flats (did they promise 300,000 or 400,000?) and the usual diplomatically announced campaign meetings that never take place, today's climax to a week's electioneering will not belie the real victor. Apathy is streets ahead.

Who in fact wants to make himself a student politician? The wild-eyed idealist, the worried incompetent or the shaggy radical? Beyond the facades of second-hand rosettes, lewd posters, non-candidates and even modesty (with in Churchill's phrase a lot to be modest about), two types of student politician can be detected: the politician who wants to see ideas put into action (and usually doesn't wait around very long if they aren't), and the politician who wants to see himself in action.

The ego trip is by far the most compelling explanation for the student politician. Either he is conscious of his own social inadequacies or he is dreaming up a career in real politics. But who ever makes it? Is the SRC debate - home of irrelevant debate and pissed-off members - really the breeding ground for our nation's leaders?

The most important thing about a student politician, however, is that he cannot do much. Once at the top of his greasy pole, he is supported, like a rope the person it hangs, by a diffuse, disorganised and apathetic student body whose interest does not even reach to the level of throwing flourbombs.

His mandate is a myth - only highly emotional issues like the South African shares give him power from below - and I know for sure that when the results are known, the University secretariat will be counting the vote, taking out their log tables and working out their percentages to prove how unrepresentative the new president is: "Ah, Mr Turberville - Drummond - Manley - McLean. I see 8.7 per cent of the students wanted you."And at the other extreme our student politician is told he is below a University administration of professors and bureaucrats to whom power comes naturally.

He may attend sherry parties (and hopefully vomit) and sip tea with the powers that be but he himself is not a power. He and his funds are responsible in theory and in practice to someone else.

Sooner or later (and for most unfortunately it is later) our student politician will have to come face to face with the dreadful truth that the realities of power are that he doesn't have any. What he is doing is manning the University's least popular committees and making up the numbers at formal occasions: propping up in fact an undemocratic and authoritarian system without being able to change a thing.

So can a politician achieve anything? I believe he can - only by first realising the limits of the possible. That his actual power is minimal; and that his real power is as a propagandist - in providing ideas and policies for changing the whole of university government, and as an administrator - putting money to better uses.

Uni Of Ulster DUP Has Arrived

Up to now, the University of Ulster has been an environment that has had no voice for its unionist students. It has been our goal over the last few months that this newly formed association would change that, and thus far, we have certainly garnered an excellent response. We had a very successfull "Re-Freshers" day recently which included the first DUP stall to ever exist at the University. We have also been visibly active within the University on-campus and have been speaking to many students who are pleased to see an active Unionist association present. Two weeks ago, John Hussey, our current Chair ran for Site Vice President of the Jordanstown campus, making him the first candidate to run as a Unionist in the history of the University, and the only Unionist candidate to run in any University election in this country in 2009. John's campaign garnered a lot of attention, and many Unionists were grateful to actually have their first opportunity to register a Vote for a Unionist candidate, in an environment where previously, this option was not available. Despite outrage from some quarters that a Unionist candidate even existed at the University, we have been welcomed and there was still an excellent response. The result of which is that there have now officially been votes cast at the University of Ulster for a candidate designated as Unionist.
The University of Ulster DUP will use these first steps as the Benchmark from which we can continue to grow, to encourage more opportunities for discussion and debate at the University, and to offer Unionists a voice, where none existed before.

Jonathan Lavery

First Minister condems policeman's murder

Following the murder of a police officer tonight the First Minister and DUP Leader Peter Robinson MP MLA said,

“It is with great sadness that I have learned of the murder of a police officer in the Lismore area of Craigavon. This officer was serving his community at the time of the incident. I unreservedly condemn this evil deed and offer my sincere sympathy to the officer’s family circle. The entire police family is in my thoughts and prayers at this time.

I am sickened at the attempts by terrorists to destabilise Northern Ireland. Those responsible for this murderous act will not be allowed to drag our Province back to the past.

On behalf of the Democratic Unionist Party and the people we represent, I would urge the Prime Minister and the Chief Constable to take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that innocent life is protected in the face of this terrorist threat across Northern Ireland.”

First Minister addresses Stormont after Antrim Attack

Below is a speech made in the Northern Ireland Assembly by First Minister and DUP Leader, Rt Hon Peter Robinson MP MLA following the cowardly murders of two soldiers in Antrim. Peter Robinson said,

"Today, a dark shadow hangs over our Province. On Saturday evening while in the rest of Northern Ireland people were getting on with their lives, evil men claiming to represent the Real IRA brutally murdered two young men and tried to kill many others. In doing so, they threw down a challenge to all of us. It is a challenge not just to the Assembly and its Executive but to those we collectively represent.

The two murdered soldiers, Sapper Mark Quinsey, 23, from Birmingham, and Sapper Cengiz Azimkar, 21, from London were callously gunned down just hours before they were due to leave Northern Ireland to serve in Afghanistan. They were off duty, unarmed, and shot as they went to collect pizzas at the gates of the Massereene Army Base. Two other soldiers were injured in this horrific attack. But the same gunmen then, cold bloodedly, turned their weapons on the civilian pizza delivery men. We extend our condolences to the sorrowing families and pray that the Lord might comfort them at this tragic time.

One of the injured civilians was a local man - 19 year old, Anthony Watson, the other was a young man from Poland who had come here in search of a better life.

I know the people of Northern Ireland will prayerfully uphold all the innocent victims of this terrorist attack in the days and weeks ahead. No words of ours can ease the pain and devastation which has been brought to these families, but as First Minister I want, on behalf of the people of Northern Ireland, to offer our deepest sympathy for the loss that has been suffered.

There is no cause that can justify these actions. No goal will be achieved. The killers will not win. This was a futile act and a terrible waste. The contrast between those brave soldiers and the wicked murderers could not be more stark.

The soldiers who fell at the Massereene base will be remembered with honour and pride - their killers and their cause will live with the shame and be viewed with contempt and loathing.
Today, and in the time ahead, we have a decision to take as a community. The choice is clear and will determine our future as a people.

At the weekend we saw in bold a terrible reminder of what we left behind. It was an act intended to divide us. It was calculated as a means to raise fear and hatred and planned to cause us to stumble. It was designed to force us to turn back.

This is not a time to raise the flag of narrow interests. It is a time for every corner of our community to unite in condemnation, and resolve that these people will never win - that we will not be diverted from the course which we have set.

What we have is far from perfect. What we have at Stormont is often difficult to operate. Many differences between our traditions remain but it is here - here in this Assembly - that we will work to resolve our problems. The events of Saturday evening were a throwback to a previous era. We must never return to such terrible days.

As a people we can defeat the murder gangs by refusing to be dragged back to the bad and bloody days of the past. In the face of the tragedy that these events have brought, silence and disengagement are not options. If we want to rid our society of violence and division then the struggle for all of us continues every single day.

We offer the Chief Constable and those who serve with him the support they require in order to do their job and to bring the killers to justice. But the responsibility to bring these people to justice does not fall to the PSNI alone; it is a duty on every single citizen in this Province. The police can only be effective with the support and cooperation of the wider community.

The continued existence of our Assembly at Stormont will stand as evidence of the failure of this murderous campaign. But the Assembly only exists with the consent and support of the community. In the aftermath of this terrible incident, we are being tested. Yet, we should remember that our future is not dependent on the evil of those who seek to destroy our society but rather it depends on the good that is found in those throughout our community who want to build a stable, peaceful, democratic and shared society.

This is a moment of truth for us all. We have a choice to make. On Saturday night the challenge was issued. Let the answer be loud and clear. We are not turning back."

First Minister comments on Antrim attack

Following the incident in which two Soldiers were murdered in Antrim this evening First Minister Peter Robinson MP MLA said,

“The events of this evening are a terrible reminder of the events of the past. These murders were a futile act by those who command no public support and have no prospect of success in their campaign. It will not succeed. I offer my sympathy to the families of those who were killed or injured and make it clear that we will not be diverted from the direction which Northern Ireland has taken.

This incident clearly vindicates the position taken by the Chief Constable earlier this week to ensure that he had the necessary resources to meet the challenge posed by dissident republicans. Those who would have doubted this decision have been given the clearest possible indication of why it is essential that the security of the people of Northern Ireland is our top priority.

I was due to commence a visit to the United States to attract investment to Northern Ireland tomorrow but due to the incident I have decided to delay this trip in order to review the position in Northern Ireland. I have already spoken to the Secretary of State and intend to speak to the Prime Minister in the hours ahead.”

UUP to ban Orangemen from standing as candidates

DUP Assembly Member for North Down, Peter Weir has responded to comments from leading Northern Ireland Tories saying that they would ban members of the Orange Institution from seeking selection as UCUNF (the new name for the UUP now they have merged with the Tories) candidates.

Mr. Weir said: “Over the last few days since the formation of UCUNF, the blogosphere has witnessed various disagreements emerge amongst the group’s members. It seems that many people who signed up to disband the UUP and merge it with the Tories had little understanding as to what the practical implications would be. Leading commentators and members of the local Tory Party however, are very clear as to what they think the formation of UCUNF will mean for members of the Orange Institution seeking selection to run at election time or indeed, membership of the organisation.

One Tory commentator said: “I acknowledge, however, that the presence of so many OO politicians is anobstacle to us making inroads as a cross-community party. My preference would be that they were not allowed to stand as candidates. Those members of the OO who have the party’s interest at heart would understand and appreciate this”

Jeffrey Peel, who is on record describing the Orange Institution as a “backward-facing, history obsessed, parish pump society”, had this to say: '[It] is clear that we do have to address the issue of whether members ofthe Orange Order - or other sectarian organisations - should be permitted tojoin the Party...”

Reg Empey cannot run away from this issue any longer. There are dozens of councillors and MLAs who are members of the loyal orders, elected under the old UUP banner. Will they be banned from running at election time under UCUNF colours?

As the regional co-head of UCUNF Reg Empey needs to state clearly what he thinks about these comments. Does he think that members of the Orange Order should be denied the possibility of running as UCUNF candidates or even denied party membership?

Discrimination against anyone on the basis of their religious belief is wrong. It is a shame that key movers and shakers in UCUNF seem to believe otherwise. Members of the Orange Institution and their families aren’t welcome in UCUNF. They should know that the DUP will continue to support our loyal orders and the valuable work that they do within the Unionist community”, said the DUP MLA.