Nutters

According to UUP leader Mike Nesbitt that’s what DUP MLA Jimmy Spratt called those who are opposed to the peace centre at Long Kesh. Mr Spratt made his alleged remark at a OFMDFM committee meeting today. Mr Nesbitt who has taken umbrage at the comment and gone running to his friends in the local media.

NI Corporation Tax Is A Verdict Coming Soon?

Later today David Cameron will meet with Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness. Amongst the things they will discuss will be devolving Corporation Tax to the North. In the United Kingdom Corporation Tax will be cut to 20% by 2015 according to George Osborne. However in the Irish Republic the Corporation Tax rate is only 12.5% allowing it to attract 35,000 new jobs in the last year alone through foreign direct investment. Of course if the North can get Corporation Tax devolved from Westminster how long will it be before Alex Salmond the First Minister of Scotland is asking for it as well. A cut in the block grant to the North would also have to happen so the Treasury in London could recover its money. Unemployment in the North is 8.5%. And more than 26% of the workforce are employed in the public sector. So on devolving NI Corporation Tax is a verdict coming soon? Update: the British Government have told the Press Association no decision will be made on Corporation Tax until the Autumn of 2014.

Unionist Unity: Basil And John Do A Runner

Well so much for Unionist Unity within 12 hours of the joint UUP/DUP candidate for Mid-Ulster being unveiled two UUP MLA's resign from the party. Basil McCrea(Lagan Valley)and John McCallister(South Down) both look likely to form a brand new Unionist party open to all. Interesting times lie ahead in the North. Mike Nesbitt is not a great leader and seems hell-bent on unity with the DUP.

Peter Robinson World In Action Documentary From The 1980's

Watch "Peter Robinson - The Hardliner (Documentary)" on YouTube

David Trimble Labels DUP Cynical

The former UUP leader turned Conservative peer told BBC Radio 4's World at One: "I am surprised there is a problem, because the issue could have been foreseen, a compromise was available. It seems rather strange the compromise has not been accepted. It's really strange that some parties who sit at Stormont and accept for government buildings the designated flag days, are out encouraging protests against designated days in other public buildings. It's a pity some parties are now not accepting that compromise." The former Ulster Unionist Party leader said it made him suspect parties had "other motives". "I cannot avoid looking at the fact that the Alliance Party, who provided the majority for this compromise at City Hall, is the party that defeated the DUP in east Belfast in the parliamentary election," he said. "I wonder if this is something to do with trying to regain support that went to the Alliance Party at that stage. In which case I think it's a really quite cynical thing for them to be doing."