Tag: coalition government

Belfast, Conservatives, DUP, Education, Lib Dems, news, Northern Ireland, politics, Scotland, Sinn Féin, United Kingdom, Wales1 Comment

freedom, fairness, and responsibility: but not to NI!

Michael McFarland Campbell

freedom, fairness and responsibility The three words that we are told by the Liberal Democrat Federal Party website sum up the Coalition Government’s Programme. However, I don’t see how it is promoting any of those when you consider what has just happened to the devolved countries’ finances. HM Treasury changed the rules Formerly, departments were allowed to carry over money from one year to another. In this way, Northern Ireland’s Department for Education had built up a reserve of £87m (2008 figures). Usually, making savings, is considered a good financial practice: building up reserves in case of need in the … Continue reading freedom, fairness, and responsibility: but not to NI!

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charitable, Conservatives, Lib Dems, London, news, Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland life, politics1 Comment

the big society: does it apply to Northern Ireland?

Michael McFarland Campbell

The latest news from the Coalition Government in Westminster is a scheme whereby customers using bank cards could give money to charity. As a trustee of The HIV Support Centre, a local charity, this sounds like it could be a source of welcome money. But I have quite a number of questions. How would such money be distributed? How would the charity/charities be chosen? Is this to eliminate charity boxes in corner shops/bars etc.? I cannot see how this could be done in a fair way to help those charities that are reasonably small – yet are vital to local … Continue reading the big society: does it apply to Northern Ireland?

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Health, HIV, Northern Ireland, politics, SDLP, Social DevelopmentLeave a comment

Belfast’s leading HIV charity supports Harrington Review findings

Michael McFarland Campbell

Wearing one of my many hats, I am a Trustee of Belfast’s local HIV charity, The HIV Support Centre. The Harrington Review into Work Capability Assessments that was published yesterday must be taken note of by Northern Ireland’s own Social Development Minister, Alex Attwood MLA. Below is the text of a post on The HIV Support Centre’s website. Continue reading “Belfast’s leading HIV charity supports Harrington Review findings”

Authors, politics, UncategorizedLeave a comment

authors take fight to hunt

Michael McFarland Campbell

When inviting people to Belfast Liberal Drinks yesterday, I didn’t know what people’s reaction would be. Following correspondence from one member, I have learnt more about PLR than I ever knew before. To be honest, I had not really thought about how authors would be compensated for their books being borrowed from libraries.

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