Climate Change Catastrophe Without Action

Expect to here even more about Climate change this week, with the publication of the Stern Review tomorrow.

Sir Nicholas Stern's report will lay out the economic arguments in relations to global warming.

All the main parties agree climate change must be taken seriously and Environment Secretary, David Miliband confirmed this morning that talks are taking place at government level on so called 'green taxes'.David Cameron, who has promoted a 'green' agenda since he became leader 11 months ago, says it is important that new taxes do not disadvantage the poor in society. But he also acknowledged that he would seriously consider taxing air travel.

The Mail on Sunday also published a leaked government document today that, they say, confirms plans for heavy penalties on car usage. The paper said that some families could end up paying an additional £1000 a year to keep a car on the road.

DUP's own Referendum on St Andrews

The DUP have launched their own referendum on the agreement reached at St Andrew's.

The Party have had their interpretation of the agreement published in the Northern Ireland newspapers and have asked the people for a yes or no response to the following question by 8th November:

Q. DO YOU ACCEPT, SUBJECT TO FAITHFUL DELIVERY AND SATISFACTORY PROGRESS, ON THE
REMAINING ISSUES, THAT THE TERMS SET OUT IN THE ST ANDREWS AGREEMENT/DEVOLUTION
DOCUMENT REPRESENT A BASIS FOR MOVING FORWARD?

Deputy Leader of the DUP, Peter Robinson, says he thinks it unlikely that the roles of First Minister and Deputy First Minister will be agreed within the current timetable. Mr Robinson said the DUP will not "be jumping first" and they will not be making their commitment before others (that's Sinn Fein) make theirs.

The DUP leadership has reservations about the agreement but the majority want to proceed. What they are attempting to do is find out if they can bring their electorate with them.

Dr Paisley is tantilisingly close to being crowned leader of Northern Ireland, his lifelong ambition. But this is a high stakes game for Unionism, - one which will determine its political future. The DUP know they are treading on thin ice.

Mandelson Says UK Has Key Role to Play in EU

Peter Mandelson, European Trade Commissioner, emphasised the benefits of European involvement for the UK when he visited Wales today. Mr Mandelson accepted that many people in Britain are still sceptical about the European Union but he said he didn't"believe that any of the major issues that we face today are only local, only national or even only European - they are global."

Mr Mandelson said that being part of a union of nearly 500 million people gives Britain serious clout on the international stage that would otherwise not exist. "Who seriously believes that even a large member state like the United Kingdom acting alone could have more trading influence or more economic pulling power than China or the United States than we have acting through the European Union - it's a sort of no brainer."

The Commissioner was critical that the Labour government had not established an environment in which Britain could join the single currency and so play a fuller role in Europe but he also said that New Labour had done more than any previous government to 'de-controversialise' Europe.

His visit included a visit to a primary school in the Vale of Glamorgan, a seminar at Cardiff University and a meeting with the Cardiff Business Club.

NI Update - St Andrews

It is worth monitoring the recent language of the DUP with regards to St Andrews. They are emphasising the fact that it is not their agreement but the two governments agreement and they are acknowledging that much work still needs to be done.

This change of language combined with Jim Allister's (DUP MEP) very open scepticism means that this is agreement is certainly not in the bag. Unless Sinn Fein can sign up to policing, which they say they can't do without an Ard Fheis, the DUP can't agree to St Andrews by 10 November.

So the St Andrews agreement might not be as easily implemented as the two governments would wish, but the basis for agreement has been established.

The peace process has always preferred a snails pace and some things just don't change.

Giving the 'little guy' a voice.

"A whole new uncontrollable world that gives the little guy a voice" - a scary prospect if ever I heard one. Yet that is Iain Dale's explanation of how new media is opening up a world previously occupied by a handful of newspapers and broadcasters.

Blogging is a phenomenon that has captured the imaginations of millions of people but is only beginning to infiltrate the political world. Some dismiss blogs as a thing for nerds, psychopaths and journalism students and while there is an element of truth in this it is wrong to say they have not be influential.

Dress it up as you like - blogs lend themselves to gossiping...

Dress it up as you like - blogs lend themselves to gossiping and if enough people gossip about something that can have an impact – just ask anyone in the Westminster village. It actually doesn’t even matter if the gossip is true – if enough people talk about something it prompts the need for an admission or a denial.

I know that Conservative Home is a blog used by respected national newspapers and there are few offices in Westminster that don’t take a daily surf to Guido Fawkes.

As the new media expansion continues other forms of online interaction are developing. The most recent is 18 Doughty Street, or as some commentators call it ‘Tory TV’. It is a online television station which broadcasts 4 nights a week and its aim is to provide an outlet for in-depth political discussion which, its owners suggest, is missing from the mainstream media. Iain Dale claims the station had 65,000 viewers on its first night but he expects this to diminish as the ‘novelty’ factor wears off. He is however convinced that there is an audience for this kind of programming.

Iain Dale is a regular right wing voice on Sky News and News 24. He was the one time owner of the Politicos bookstore and a former chief of staff for David Davis MP.

Madonna Adopts Malawian Child

More headlines, more controversy, but more importantly more people talking about her. Madonna’s adoption of a Malawian child is consistent with her insatiable need of media attention.

From the very beginning of her music career she has courted controversy. Her first international success was the album ‘Like a Virgin’. It was as instant teenage success, but many felt that her lyrics and dance moves were inappropriate. She has on more than one occasion offended the Catholic Church and the Pope urged fans not to attend her concerts in Italy.
More recently she made headlines for kissing Britney Spears at the MTV awards ceremony and she has caused outrage by carrying out a crucifixion scene during her concert performances. (Depicting herself in Christ’s place)

Children should only be adopted out of their country of birth as a last option. Usually intercountry adoptions involve orphaned children although this child’s father is still alive and though he had never heard of Madonna a few days ago he believes her adoption of his son is a real 'blessing'.

In the UK the government encourages intercountry adoption in the following circumstances:

- the child cannot be cared for in any suitable manner in their own country
- the adoption would be in the best interests of the child and with respect to the child’s fundamental rights as recognised in international law
- the adopter has been assessed as eligible and suitable to adopt from overseas by an adoption agency

The process of seeking the right to adopt a child from another country is lengthy and it can take up to a year and a half to complete the necessary arrangements in the UK, it is only then that the adopter can go to the other country and start proceedings there to adopt the child.

Madonna’s application has been speeded up in Malawi as she has been granted a exemption (for whatever reason) from normal procedures which requires the adopter to live in the country for 18 months.

Madonna will undoubtedly receive much more media attention over this adoption, but let’s hope that the little baby boy making his way back to the UK, will be more than materially better off. Let’s hope he will gain more than he has been forced to leave behind.

Will the Tightrope Hold?

The agreement at St Andrews provides the basis for a return to devolution next March. There will be many bridges to cross before then - the most immediate in less than a month when the Northern Ireland parties will tell the governments whether they wish to proceed with the plan as outlined.

Over the next few weeks, the DUP and Sinn Fein will have to gauge the opinion of their electorate. Neither will want to take a risk and Ian Paisley will not want himself to look like Trimble mark two. But Dr Paisley has been so opposed to even talk to Sinn Fein for so long, that a decision by him to do a deal will undoubtedly carry significant clout with the unionist electorate – a case of “If it’s good enough for ‘the Doc’ it’s good enough for me”. There will be, none the less, many disenchanted unionist voters if the deal is accepted and they will not run to the UUP, they will simply stop voting.

"This deal, delivered on a Friday eight and half years later, is the same agreement with bells on."

Sinn Fein has a different tight rope to walk, for them it is more important to show their electorate that they can make progress politically. Republicans need to know that recognising Northern Ireland’s legitimacy and dismantling the IRA was really all worthwhile.

It has long been rumoured by politicos in Northern Ireland that the NIO realised early in the peace process that a lasting peace would only be achieved in reconciling the political extremes. If the agreement at St Andrews comes to fruition, the civil servants will be giving themselves a pat on the back.

There is an inescapable peculiarity in the fact that Ian Paisley seems to have stolen David Trimble’s clothes. What the DUP once fought hard against, they are now on the verge of accepting, for the fundamentals of this deal are found in the agreement signed on a Friday in April 1998. This deal, delivered on a Friday eight and half years later, is the same agreement with bells on.

Agreement at St Andrews

Download Agreement

Key Points

-Following endorsement of the agreement by the parties, the Assembly will meet to nominate the First and Deputy First Minister on 24 November.

-All parties must endorse “fully the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the criminal justice system, actively encouraging everyone in the community to co-operate fully with the PSNI…”

-There will be “devolution of criminal justice and policing from the British Government by May 2008.” This will be triggered by a vote of the Assembly.

-Following restoration of the Executive, a party which does not participate in the political process or removes itself from the Assembly will not have the ability to pull the institutions down. David Trimble used this tool to put the Assembly on hold several times, but in theory that same luxury will not be available to the DUP.

-The agreement reached at St Andrews introduces a statutory ministerial code. This is essentially to increase ministerial accountability and is meant to placate unionists who deemed ministerial decisions made by Martin Mcguinness on 11 plus and Barbre de Brun on the location of maternity services unacceptable.

-Amendments to the pledge of office ensure that Ministers participate fully in the Executive, the North South Ministerial Council and the British-Irish council.

-On restoration of devolution the Northern Ireland Act 2000 will be repealed. This means the Secretary of State can no longer suspend the Assembly, unless of course new legislation is passed in Parliament.

-Assembly members will not be able to change designations for the whole of an Assembly term. This will prevent the Alliance party and others from changing designation in order to effect the passage of legislation.

-Establishment of a Victims’ Commissioner for Northern Ireland.

-A Bill of Rights and a Single Equality Bill will be introduced early in the new Assembly.

-An Irish Language Act – to enhance and protect the Irish language.

-50-50 recruitment in the PSNI will come to an end when the Patten target for Catholic officers has been achieved. DUP will present this as part of them achieving a fairer deal for unionists.

-There will be a generous financial package for Northern Ireland and the Government will introduce a cap on domestic rates and will examine the possibility of further relief for pensioners on lower incomes.

-The agreement also explains the relationship between the PSNI and security services. It emphasises the autonomy of the PSNI but at the same time it makes it clear that in light of international terrorism it is essential that the PSNI work closely with Security Services and in fact some PSNI will be located with Security service personnel. This area is a minefield for Republicans and Nationalists, already very wary of the British Security Services.

Timetable

10 November – Parties confirm wish to
proceed with Governments.

20/21 November – Legislation at
Westminster gives effect to the St Andrews agreement.

24 November –
Assembly meets to nominate FM/DFM

March – Endorsement by the
electorate (through election of referendum)

14 March – Members of
the Executive nominated by party leaders.

26 March – Power
devolved.

The Rise of User Generated Content

User generated content is changing the face of contemporary journalism. The rise of online journalism allows journalists to interact with audiences in a way that has never before been possible.

The term refers to content which is produced by websites users rather than producers. Many sites, such as YouTube and Wikipedia rely completely on users generating content. The mainstream media have responded to this demand by altering there online output. The Guardian has dedicated an extensive part of its website to blogging (Comment is free) and the BBC regularly use photographs on their website originally produced by members of the public.

Amanda Powell, Editor of BBC Wales News Interactive suggests that, "User generated content is growing hugely and influencing what we do as journalists" but she also emphasised that caution is required. It is hard to verify the source of some material and this can raise issues of copyright and legitimacy. Ms Powell said that it was important that in using this content editorial integrity is maintained as the 'user’ may well have their own agenda. She suggested that it was crucial for them to explore innovative ways of conveying news quickly and easily as an average visit to BBC News website is only 3.12mins long.

The 7th July 2005 was a defining moment for the BBC in terms of user generated content. The response from the public was overwhelming and some of the images sent to the BBC will remain iconic images of that tragedy.

User generated content produced by so-called ‘citizen journalists’ has changed the way we can interact with news, but its value remains untested. Does it claim to aid informed engagement with the news or is its use merely to satisfy 3.12mins of mindless moronic surfing?

Northern Ireland talks in Scotland

Northern Ireland's political parties have once again converged on a scenic location for three days of talks.

Timed to follow a healthy report from the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC) on the current state of the IRA, the governments have done all in their power to force the hand of Ian Paisley's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). Academic selection will be outlawed in Northern Ireland as soon as the deadline passes on the 24th November, the majority of people in the province are in favour of the system and the government have tried to use discontent to persuade politicians to do a deal. Water rates are another controversial issue which to date have been dealt with by Labour ministers appointed by Tony Blair.

But what will happen at the talks?

Gerry Adams has made it clear that he is in a position to do a deal, he has also made it clear he believes that the DUP will do a deal, suggesting it was only a matter of time. Ian Paisley has said on the record that they are not in a position to move until Sinn Fein signs up to policing. It would be surprising if this was their only reason to stall the process considering the DUP made a big deal of rejecting de Chastelain's assertions over IRA decommissioning. Do they no longer require photographs?

It is highly unlikely that any significant progress will be achieved by the November deadline, but what these talks are more likely to achieve is a basis for a return to devolution some time next year. Ian Paisley's meeting with Archbishop Sean Brady is part of PR exercise changing the face of the DUP - making them somehow more acceptable, no longer the extremists.

Over the next few days the DUP can not be seen to dance to Sinn Fein's tune or indeed Peter Hain's tune, but at the same time they know that if they walk away from these talks they will end the prospect of devolution for the foreseeable future and, more importantly for some members of the DUP, they may be throwing away their best ever opportunity to exercise real political power.

To Wear or Not to Wear a Veil

The debate over whether or not Muslim women should wear a veil continues to rumble on.

Some suggest Jack Straw was trying to raise his profile ahead of a challenge for the deputy leadership of the Labour party, but it seems unlikely that, as a politician, Mr Straw would not have thought through the implications of his actions. Mr Straw's constituency has a sizeable proportion of Muslims (19%) who he cannot afford to offend if he wishes re-election. If Mr Straw's comments are interpreted as offensive by his Muslim constituents he will have done himself significant electoral harm.

Gordon Brown has backed Mr Straw's comments in an exclusive interview with the BBC. (see BBC Gordon Brown Story) Going further than the Prime Minister, who would only say he welcomed the debate, Mr Brown is purposefully demonstrating that he can be a straight forward conviction led politician.

Mr Brown is doing is utmost to tap into the national mood. He has judged this issue correctly, but the real question is how many more such decisions will he have to make as Chancellor and how will continuing divisions in the Labour party effect his bid to lead?

Welcome to Maxwell Comments

First post and what can I say that no-one has said before...

This blog is intended to give you access to some of my journalistic work. You may not agree with everything that appears here but I hope that if you don't (and even if you do) that you will engage with the subject matters I touch on and in so doing create a lively and useful debate.

David Maxwell