Robin Swann

Just when you think things can’t get any stranger, Robin Swann writes for Rolling Stone…

| Readers 2009

“You can take all the tea in China Put in a big brown bag for me. Sail round the seven oceans, Drop it smack dab into the deep blue sea.” Van Morrison, Tupelo Honey Splat !!!! Following the announcement on Monday 21 September of new NI wide restrictions on both indoor and outdoor social gatherings, I was talking with a friend. A friend who was somewhere between despondent, cynical & despairing. Superficial positivity, however well-intentioned, really is not my thing. …

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Social Distancing Hasn’t Gone Away, You Know…

| Readers 6377

The Health Minister comes across as an extremely likeable fellow. Standing atop his podium, like an experienced but weary plumber, the civil and utterly decent Robin Swann is ever ready to plug any leaks in the flow of public compliance and adherence to Covid-19 guidelines. Despite having his feathers ruffled at the beginning of April, Swann took a dignified stance yesterday and opted not to weigh in with his own personal criticism of a certain someone’s attendance at a certain …

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The curious case of the Department of Health

| Readers 2350

Abortion has been legal in Northern Ireland for over a year now. Under the Abortion (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2020, terminations up to 12 weeks are now lawful. Abortions after 12 weeks are heavily restricted. Terminations are available up to 24 weeks if there is a risk to the mental or physical health of the woman. There is no time limit where there is a fatal fetal abnormality. With the law firmly in place, it was expected that the commissioning of …

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Swann “With the DUP at the helm, pro-union politics lies in the gutter”

| Readers 3854

Robin Swann spoke at his party’s spring conference yesterday; We cannot simply allow the last operating vestige of local democracy to be destroyed as well. The DUP and Sinn Fein wrecked all round them at Stormont, we cannot let them wreck Local Government too and bring the country to its knees. At the Party Conference in October past, I said that there was a battle to save the union from the DUP.   I cannot say my view has changed. With …

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UUP Conference: “in a battle to save the Union from the DUP” – speeches & audio #UUP18

| Readers 4265

Listen back to and read key speeches. The UUP’s annual conference was dominated by messaging aimed at differentiating the party from its larger competitor in the run up to the local government elections. If the UUP are to arrest their general decline, it must be with a strong performance in May’s council elections at the expense of the DUP. That is the only test that the UUP will be measured against.

Swann seeks an agreed candidate for West Tyrone by-election

| Readers 4391

The UUP Leader, Robin Swann had reiterated his comments for an agreed candidate to stand in the West Tyrone by-election on May 3rd; It is clear that Sinn Fein has learnt nothing from the appalling disrespect shown by Barry McElduff. Only last week they failed to condemn the banner put on display in Newry describing one of the IRA’s most ruthless terrorists caught in possession of one of the murder weapons used at Kingsmills ‘our hero’. Given that McElduff resigned …

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Swann calls for a ‘new unionism’ of ‘radical moderates’ at strident conference #UUP17

| Readers 3013

Sustained anti-Irish Language Act rhetoric was an effective smokescreen that diverted attention from any focus on the UUP’s disappointing election results. Robin Swann confidently delivered his first speech to conference as party leader with a call a new unionism and the desire for radical moderates (though he was light on detail).

Unionists should welcome Irish Language Act with open arms

| Readers 3112

As I read the latest contributions regarding the Irish language from UUP leader Robin Swann and its echo in the Newsletter’s Morning View, it seems to me that they have tied themselves in a knot about Acht na Gaeilge.   A Gordian knot is a phrase that occurs to me.  It seems impossible to loosen but is easily unravelled with the judicious use of logic and good sense. Unionists like Robin Swann, Jim Allister and the writer of the Belfast …

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Swann makes his opening pitch as UUP Leader

| Readers 2052

Robin Swann became the Ulster Unionist Leader yesterday. He candidacy was unopposed. He delivered his first speech as leader to the few hundred delegates gathered at the party’s AGM in South Belfast. On a single Unionist Party; So to those who seek a single unionist party, I ask them to consider carefully the consequences of such an outcome. A single unionist party would limit choice, stifle debate and quickly result in the depletion of Unionist votes at the ballot box. …

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Robin Swann set to become the new UUP Leader

| Readers 2829

North Antrim MLA, Robin Swann is set to take over as the leader of the Ulster Unionist Party without a contest. Swann is currently the party’s Chief Whip and was involved with the Ulster Farmers Union. In a post on Facebook last night he said; I can confirm that I have submitted papers today to seek election as Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, after receiving support from across the Party including members of our Westminster, Assembly and Local Government …

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The Power of Part Time Higher Education – transforming lives & careers in NI with the OU

| Readers 614

PART TIME education is in the Open University’s DNA says its director John D’Arcy. With the highest number of part time students of any higher education institution in NI, and with students spread across 18 constituencies, the DEL committee hosted the OU up in Parliament Buildings last night and learned first hand about the transformative impact it has on its students.