As the countdown towards the re-introduction of devolved Government on May 8th. seems to be progressing smoothly you do have to wonder what the benefit to South Down will be if, as expected, we end up with two ministers in the NI government. With Catriona Ruane likely to be Education minister and Margaret Ritchie as Social Development minister both will be anxious to enhance their profiles ahead of the next Westminster election of 2009 as it seems likely that they will go head to head for Eddie McGrady's seat.
While the ministry's may not have the scope of a regional development or employment to show their generosity to the region I am sure that both will be using their new positions to show their commitment to the area. There may be more pressure on the SDLP to be seen to be delivering as Ruane topped the poll in the Assembly election (even though SDLP still had a slightly higher total first preference vote)and I think that the expected promotion of Ritchie to office is an attempt by the SDLP to hold South Down in the 2009 election. Whatever the future of South Belfast the SDLP probably feel that they can hold Foyle again so South Down may be seen as its last stand to retain a position of power in the south of the country after the loss of Newry and Armagh to Conor Murphy.
3 comments:
I look forward to Ms Ruane's handling of education from the farside of Carlingford Lough - I hope she practices what her party preaches - and does not send her off spring to elitist grammar schools and by-passes excellent High Schools on the way- perish the thought!
I agree. heaven forbid that she woould set up home not only out of the constituency but out of the jurisdiction entirely.
Although as alluded to in the previous comment she does come over the border for parent teacher meetings at the Newry Grammar School that her daughter attends.
Also I presume that this is a mere abbereration and that she fully supports the Sinn Fein position on the transfer test and the future shape of our schools. If she doesn't then i hope she doesn't get the Education Portfolio.....Too Late! She already has. Oh dear squares and circles spring to mind.....
Well written article.
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