Monthly Archives: October 2019

Hundreds of healthcare workers have written to NI Secretary Julian Smith to express their opposition to plans to liberalise abortion laws here. Doctors, nurses and midwives united to send a message that as health professionals, they want reassurance as “conscientious objectors” that they will not have to perform or assist with abortions. One GP who signed the letter told the BBC that he was not yet aware of any preparations to prepare staff for the law change. Restrictions on abortions in the region will be drastically reduced unless the Stormont Assembly is restored by October 21, after MPs passed the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Act in July. The move placed a duty on the UK Government to intervene and provide abortion access. Meanwhile, a group opposed to any change in the law, Midwives for Both Lives, has written to the Department of Health, The Northern Ireland Office and the Royal … Continue reading →

Image caption SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan (left) will attend the assembly sitting despite the recall being criticised by party leader Colum Eastwood An SDLP MLA who opposes abortion will attend a sitting of the Northern Ireland Assembly on Monday in spite of his party leader describing the recall as “a total stunt”. Daniel McCrossan said he would be in the Stormont chamber. It is understood other SDLP MLAs could also attend. SDLP leader Colum Eastwood criticised the recall but said his party had not decided whether it would attend. The recall was proposed in an attempt to stop a reform of abortion law. Stormont to be recalled after abortion petition DUP urge Stormont recall to stop law change Abortion guidelines issued as deadline draws near Laws on abortion and same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland will change unless devolved government is restored by Monday. The recall will not affect the impending … Continue reading →

No powers: Julian Smith By Steven Alexander October 18 2019 7:00 AM MLAs are to return to the Stormont chamber for the first time in more than 1,000 days after a petition to recall the Assembly received the 30 signatures necessary. In July, MPs passed legislation obliging the Government to regulate for access to abortion in Northern Ireland – unless the Stormont Executive is formed by Monday. Yesterday, anti-abortion campaign group Both Lives Matter said 31 MLAs have signed a petition to force a recall of the Assembly to discuss a motion to put the issue back in the hands of local politicians. The move is seen as symbolic, since a Speaker would need to be elected and an Executive formed in order to stop the new law. A Sinn Fein spokesman said it would not participate, which would scupper that happening. “Arlene Foster’s ‘proposal’ to recall the Assembly on … Continue reading →

Image copyright Getty Images Assembly members are set to return to the Stormont chamber for the first time in nearly three years after 31 members signed a petition triggering a recall. The move was proposed in a last-ditch attempt to stop the reform of Northern Ireland’s abortion law. Laws on abortion and same-sex marriage in NI will change unless devolution is restored by Monday, 21 October. So the recall will not affect the impending law changes, as it would need an executive to be appointed too. DUP urge Stormont recall to stop law change Abortion guidelines issued as deadline draws near On Thursday, the assembly Speaker Robin Newton wrote to all 90 MLAs informing them that the petition had reached the necessary 30 signatures, meaning the special sitting will take place on Monday. The move had been proposed by Northern Ireland peer Baroness O’Loan, who opposes any reform of the … Continue reading →

Methodist College, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, has left its imprint on Belfast and Northern Ireland in terms of the arts, sciences, business, sport and indeed on politics and pushing forward the peace process. Commonly known as Methody, it is located at the bottom of the Malone Road close to Queen’s University in Belfast. Hundreds of students in their dark blazers, ties and white shirts streaming in and out of its gates is a familiar sight in the city. It was founded in 1865 and opened in 1868 to educate the sons of Methodist ministers. It ended up co-educational and open to all faiths and those of no faith, as described by Alan Frame who has written the official history of the college, Floreat Collegium, to mark its sesquicentennial. Its first enrolment was 140 pupils. It now has 1,810 second level students and 500 pupils in its … Continue reading →