Mick
@mickmca32.bsky.social
Widowed father of three living in Co Armagh
Reposted by Mick
Lets capitalise on a united Irelander in the park and concebe convene convene belfastmedia.com/presidency-e...
ANDRÉE MURPHY: Phoenix Park elders have a change to forge a new national conversation
WHEN Mary Robinson was first elected to the Presidency there was a sense of “shift”. The South of Ireland gave its first sign that it was breaking the hegemony of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, and was mo...
belfastmedia.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Lets capitalise on a united Irelander in the park and concebe convene convene belfastmedia.com/presidency-e...
Reposted by Mick
Trump v the BBC cont'd: an odd and desperate letter from the US media regulator
Or: why you should have your evidence in place before you threaten a law suit
A new post by me:
emptycity.substack.com/p/trump-v-th...
Or: why you should have your evidence in place before you threaten a law suit
A new post by me:
emptycity.substack.com/p/trump-v-th...
Trump v the BBC cont'd: an odd and desperate letter from the US media regulator
Or: why you should have your evidence in place before you threaten a law suit
emptycity.substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Trump v the BBC cont'd: an odd and desperate letter from the US media regulator
Or: why you should have your evidence in place before you threaten a law suit
A new post by me:
emptycity.substack.com/p/trump-v-th...
Or: why you should have your evidence in place before you threaten a law suit
A new post by me:
emptycity.substack.com/p/trump-v-th...
Reposted by Mick
Well.
Not only was the US peace plan not a peace plan, it was from Russia and not the US.
Not only was the US peace plan not a peace plan, it was from Russia and not the US.
So the US was aware that the world thought the document was US endorsed, yet waited until now to clarify that it wasn't?
How could the US have communicated to Ukraine that they had to accept the proposal or lose US support without clarifying that the Russian proposal wasn't actually their proposal?
How could the US have communicated to Ukraine that they had to accept the proposal or lose US support without clarifying that the Russian proposal wasn't actually their proposal?
November 23, 2025 at 12:11 AM
Well.
Not only was the US peace plan not a peace plan, it was from Russia and not the US.
Not only was the US peace plan not a peace plan, it was from Russia and not the US.
Reposted by Mick
What a shit show. Everyone could see this plan was written by the Kremlin. Adopted by Witkoff and Trump who demanded Ukraine accept it by this Thursday. After a firestorm of objections by Europe and Republican senators it appears Rubio wants to distance himself from it.
November 23, 2025 at 12:17 AM
What a shit show. Everyone could see this plan was written by the Kremlin. Adopted by Witkoff and Trump who demanded Ukraine accept it by this Thursday. After a firestorm of objections by Europe and Republican senators it appears Rubio wants to distance himself from it.
Reposted by Mick
Tusk slips the knife in right at the end.
November 23, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Tusk slips the knife in right at the end.
Reposted by Mick
Some are commenting that it should be "are" and not "is".
But there is something they forget.
There is only one Aston Villa.
But there is something they forget.
There is only one Aston Villa.
November 23, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Some are commenting that it should be "are" and not "is".
But there is something they forget.
There is only one Aston Villa.
But there is something they forget.
There is only one Aston Villa.
Reposted by Mick
Aston Villa, who took five league matches to even score a goal this season and six to win a league match, is now fourth in the Premier League. And it is only November.
The strange joy of being a Villa fan.
#AVFC
The strange joy of being a Villa fan.
#AVFC
November 23, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Aston Villa, who took five league matches to even score a goal this season and six to win a league match, is now fourth in the Premier League. And it is only November.
The strange joy of being a Villa fan.
#AVFC
The strange joy of being a Villa fan.
#AVFC
Reposted by Mick
Belfast GP and Chair of BMA NI council, Alan Stout on BBC NI The View.
Mark Carruthers (BBC NI): "Are there lessons we could learn from the health system in the Republic of Ireland?"
Alan Stout: "Absolutely, Yes."
Mark Carruthers (BBC NI): "Are there lessons we could learn from the health system in the Republic of Ireland?"
Alan Stout: "Absolutely, Yes."
November 21, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Belfast GP and Chair of BMA NI council, Alan Stout on BBC NI The View.
Mark Carruthers (BBC NI): "Are there lessons we could learn from the health system in the Republic of Ireland?"
Alan Stout: "Absolutely, Yes."
Mark Carruthers (BBC NI): "Are there lessons we could learn from the health system in the Republic of Ireland?"
Alan Stout: "Absolutely, Yes."
Reposted by Mick
No coincidence, perhaps, that the fastest growing party in the UK polls is the Green Party.
Green Party Leader Zach Polanksi's vision is of an independent Scotland, Wales & England in a new Britain without Monarchy.
Green Party Leader Zach Polanksi's vision is of an independent Scotland, Wales & England in a new Britain without Monarchy.
![Find Out Now voting intention:
🟦 Reform UK: 32% (-1)
🟢 Greens: 18% (+1)
🔵 Conservatives: 17% (+1)
🔴 Labour: 16% (+1)
🟠 Lib Dems: 11% (-)
Changes from 12th November
[Find Out Now, 19th November, N=2,566]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:wl6hu2taknxe2igvmaq53fwu/bafkreiaokf5zb6baartrruovs46vw6f436fn77woahgy5ahb7654pt2msy@jpeg)
November 21, 2025 at 9:28 AM
No coincidence, perhaps, that the fastest growing party in the UK polls is the Green Party.
Green Party Leader Zach Polanksi's vision is of an independent Scotland, Wales & England in a new Britain without Monarchy.
Green Party Leader Zach Polanksi's vision is of an independent Scotland, Wales & England in a new Britain without Monarchy.
Reposted by Mick
NI leaving the UK brings an end to the Act of Union (1801) - an end to the United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland, to give it the full title.
And it opens up an interesting conversation about what a new britain will be like in the 21st century.
62% of Scots voted remain in 2016.
And it opens up an interesting conversation about what a new britain will be like in the 21st century.
62% of Scots voted remain in 2016.
November 21, 2025 at 9:28 AM
NI leaving the UK brings an end to the Act of Union (1801) - an end to the United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland, to give it the full title.
And it opens up an interesting conversation about what a new britain will be like in the 21st century.
62% of Scots voted remain in 2016.
And it opens up an interesting conversation about what a new britain will be like in the 21st century.
62% of Scots voted remain in 2016.
Reposted by Mick
A few weeks ago, Ireland elected a left-wing, peace loving President of Ireland, Catherine Connolly.
As brexit britain faces a fiscal crisis not seen since the 1970s and NI Assembly teeters on collapse, it's quite likely she will oversee a border poll in Ireland & NI during her 7-year term.
As brexit britain faces a fiscal crisis not seen since the 1970s and NI Assembly teeters on collapse, it's quite likely she will oversee a border poll in Ireland & NI during her 7-year term.
November 21, 2025 at 9:28 AM
A few weeks ago, Ireland elected a left-wing, peace loving President of Ireland, Catherine Connolly.
As brexit britain faces a fiscal crisis not seen since the 1970s and NI Assembly teeters on collapse, it's quite likely she will oversee a border poll in Ireland & NI during her 7-year term.
As brexit britain faces a fiscal crisis not seen since the 1970s and NI Assembly teeters on collapse, it's quite likely she will oversee a border poll in Ireland & NI during her 7-year term.
Reposted by Mick
Unaligned (neither Green or Orange) voters don't care about flags or 19th century concepts like curtseying to Kings or Queens.
They just care about jobs, health, education & opportunities and it is they, not british Unionists, who will decide the Border Poll in NI.
They just care about jobs, health, education & opportunities and it is they, not british Unionists, who will decide the Border Poll in NI.
November 21, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Unaligned (neither Green or Orange) voters don't care about flags or 19th century concepts like curtseying to Kings or Queens.
They just care about jobs, health, education & opportunities and it is they, not british Unionists, who will decide the Border Poll in NI.
They just care about jobs, health, education & opportunities and it is they, not british Unionists, who will decide the Border Poll in NI.
Reposted by Mick
One section of the NI community who insist it's part of their "culture" to burn Irish flags, effigies of Irish politicians, asylum seekers on bonfires each year or ban the Irish language.
The problem they have now is it will be unaligned voters who will decide and they don't care about flags.
The problem they have now is it will be unaligned voters who will decide and they don't care about flags.
November 21, 2025 at 9:28 AM
One section of the NI community who insist it's part of their "culture" to burn Irish flags, effigies of Irish politicians, asylum seekers on bonfires each year or ban the Irish language.
The problem they have now is it will be unaligned voters who will decide and they don't care about flags.
The problem they have now is it will be unaligned voters who will decide and they don't care about flags.
Reposted by Mick
We have 101+ years of data on how disastrous british rule has been, economically & societally, in NI. It's been a basket case for decades.
Then, along comes brexit, which accidentally gave us an insight into what an All-Ireland economy might be like.
GRMA (thanks) Brexit! #spéirgorm
Then, along comes brexit, which accidentally gave us an insight into what an All-Ireland economy might be like.
GRMA (thanks) Brexit! #spéirgorm
The key finding of the research, conducted by Dublin City University and the Ulster University Economic Policy Centre, was a €3b p.a. 'subvention' in year one, reaching breakeven point within 5-9 years.
i.e. Reunification would be positive for the whole Island of Ireland.
2/7
i.e. Reunification would be positive for the whole Island of Ireland.
2/7
November 21, 2025 at 8:49 AM
We have 101+ years of data on how disastrous british rule has been, economically & societally, in NI. It's been a basket case for decades.
Then, along comes brexit, which accidentally gave us an insight into what an All-Ireland economy might be like.
GRMA (thanks) Brexit! #spéirgorm
Then, along comes brexit, which accidentally gave us an insight into what an All-Ireland economy might be like.
GRMA (thanks) Brexit! #spéirgorm
Reposted by Mick
I was in Oslo the night John Hume MEP from Derry was awarded his Nobel Prize.
One comment stays with me: "the real genius behind the GFA was they let the british think it was their idea!".
We're at a crossroads in NI, again, post brexit and the direction forward couldn't be clearer.
One comment stays with me: "the real genius behind the GFA was they let the british think it was their idea!".
We're at a crossroads in NI, again, post brexit and the direction forward couldn't be clearer.
November 21, 2025 at 8:21 AM
I was in Oslo the night John Hume MEP from Derry was awarded his Nobel Prize.
One comment stays with me: "the real genius behind the GFA was they let the british think it was their idea!".
We're at a crossroads in NI, again, post brexit and the direction forward couldn't be clearer.
One comment stays with me: "the real genius behind the GFA was they let the british think it was their idea!".
We're at a crossroads in NI, again, post brexit and the direction forward couldn't be clearer.
Reposted by Mick
the EU intervention in NI, driven by the vision of Derry MEP John Hume, that led to the GFA in 1998 is one thing.
But to this day, I don't think Boris Johnson, Frost or Davis are aware how familiar Michel Barnier, Chief Brexit negotiator for the EU27, was with the british problem in Ireland.
But to this day, I don't think Boris Johnson, Frost or Davis are aware how familiar Michel Barnier, Chief Brexit negotiator for the EU27, was with the british problem in Ireland.
November 21, 2025 at 8:11 AM
the EU intervention in NI, driven by the vision of Derry MEP John Hume, that led to the GFA in 1998 is one thing.
But to this day, I don't think Boris Johnson, Frost or Davis are aware how familiar Michel Barnier, Chief Brexit negotiator for the EU27, was with the british problem in Ireland.
But to this day, I don't think Boris Johnson, Frost or Davis are aware how familiar Michel Barnier, Chief Brexit negotiator for the EU27, was with the british problem in Ireland.
Reposted by Mick
Pollsters have realised that brexit has changed the conversation & question.
Unaligned voters (not Green or Orange) will decide the border poll in NI now and reunification also means re-joining the EU.
Unionists have lost their veto on this.
www.europeanmovement.ie/em-ireland-e...
Unaligned voters (not Green or Orange) will decide the border poll in NI now and reunification also means re-joining the EU.
Unionists have lost their veto on this.
www.europeanmovement.ie/em-ireland-e...
November 21, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Pollsters have realised that brexit has changed the conversation & question.
Unaligned voters (not Green or Orange) will decide the border poll in NI now and reunification also means re-joining the EU.
Unionists have lost their veto on this.
www.europeanmovement.ie/em-ireland-e...
Unaligned voters (not Green or Orange) will decide the border poll in NI now and reunification also means re-joining the EU.
Unionists have lost their veto on this.
www.europeanmovement.ie/em-ireland-e...
Reposted by Mick
it's becoming increasingly clear that brexit has accelerated reunification in Ireland by about 25 years.
In Europe, the life expectancy of the UK is less than 10 years now. For the NI assembly, whose next election is in may 2027, here's the mid terms👇
In Europe, the life expectancy of the UK is less than 10 years now. For the NI assembly, whose next election is in may 2027, here's the mid terms👇
This is what the mid terms poll looks like in NI:
Reunification/Pro EU: 54%
Unionist/brexit: 41%
Independents: 5%
Reunification/Pro EU: 54%
Unionist/brexit: 41%
Independents: 5%
November 20, 2025 at 8:05 PM
it's becoming increasingly clear that brexit has accelerated reunification in Ireland by about 25 years.
In Europe, the life expectancy of the UK is less than 10 years now. For the NI assembly, whose next election is in may 2027, here's the mid terms👇
In Europe, the life expectancy of the UK is less than 10 years now. For the NI assembly, whose next election is in may 2027, here's the mid terms👇
Reposted by Mick
this might be quite a significant moment in the future of the UK Union.
"A cross party group of Irish MEPs has written to the president of the European Parliament requesting that Northern Ireland political representatives be granted observer status at the Brussels and Strasbourg chambers."
"A cross party group of Irish MEPs has written to the president of the European Parliament requesting that Northern Ireland political representatives be granted observer status at the Brussels and Strasbourg chambers."
Observer status sought for NI reps in Euro parliament
A cross party group of Irish MEPs has written to the president of the European Parliament requesting that Northern Ireland political representatives be granted observer status at the Brussels and Stra...
www.rte.ie
November 20, 2025 at 7:52 PM
this might be quite a significant moment in the future of the UK Union.
"A cross party group of Irish MEPs has written to the president of the European Parliament requesting that Northern Ireland political representatives be granted observer status at the Brussels and Strasbourg chambers."
"A cross party group of Irish MEPs has written to the president of the European Parliament requesting that Northern Ireland political representatives be granted observer status at the Brussels and Strasbourg chambers."
Reposted by Mick
Some 24 million US people are facing very large increases in their health insurance bills.
My newsletter examines how these price increases will show up in US inflation.
on.ft.com/47MdE2Z The unhealthy state of US price statistics
My newsletter examines how these price increases will show up in US inflation.
on.ft.com/47MdE2Z The unhealthy state of US price statistics
November 18, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Some 24 million US people are facing very large increases in their health insurance bills.
My newsletter examines how these price increases will show up in US inflation.
on.ft.com/47MdE2Z The unhealthy state of US price statistics
My newsletter examines how these price increases will show up in US inflation.
on.ft.com/47MdE2Z The unhealthy state of US price statistics
Reposted by Mick
Reposted by Mick
what a surprise, majority of fash "Ireland is full" posts on shitter are from outside Ireland
November 23, 2025 at 5:27 PM
what a surprise, majority of fash "Ireland is full" posts on shitter are from outside Ireland
Reposted by Mick
An Israeli airstrike on the Palestinian refugee camp of Ain al-Hilweh in Lebanon killed 13 people amid escalating Israeli bombardment across Lebanon, threatening the ceasefire with Hezbollah - which Israel has already broken dozens of times.
mondoweiss.net/2025/11/isra...
#Palestine #Israel
mondoweiss.net/2025/11/isra...
#Palestine #Israel
Israeli airstrike on Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon kills 13 young boys,
An Israeli airstrike on the Palestinian refugee camp of Ain al-Hilweh in Lebanon killed 13 people amid escalating Israeli bombardment across Lebanon, threatening the ceasefire with Hezbollah - which Israel...
mondoweiss.net
November 21, 2025 at 11:01 PM
An Israeli airstrike on the Palestinian refugee camp of Ain al-Hilweh in Lebanon killed 13 people amid escalating Israeli bombardment across Lebanon, threatening the ceasefire with Hezbollah - which Israel has already broken dozens of times.
mondoweiss.net/2025/11/isra...
#Palestine #Israel
mondoweiss.net/2025/11/isra...
#Palestine #Israel
Reposted by Mick
👀
Why I'm defecting to the Greens: former Labour MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle
Why I'm defecting to the Greens: former Labour MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle
Russell-Moyle was barred from running for re-election in 2024
www.newstatesman.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:25 PM
👀
Banks are making record profits while our bills go up! 😡 We need to tax bank profits and fund our NHS & schools. Sign the petition and tell Rachel Reeves to #TaxtheBanks you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/ta...
#TaxTheBanks
Years of higher interest rates have sent our rent, mortgage, and debt payments soaring, while banks have raked in huge profits for doing absolutely nothing.
The big four UK banks (Barclays, HSBC, Ll...
you.38degrees.org.uk
November 19, 2025 at 11:34 PM
Banks are making record profits while our bills go up! 😡 We need to tax bank profits and fund our NHS & schools. Sign the petition and tell Rachel Reeves to #TaxtheBanks you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/ta...