04/10/2012 The View

Tonight, talk of Unionist unity has divided the Ulster Unionist Party

as John McCallister becomes the latest to fall out of favour with

his leader. Could bitter infighting make the party an irrelevance? We

hear from the MLA at the centre of this latest drama. Plus, a bright

young things who are changing the look of politics here. I do not put

my experience is any less valid because it is shorter. I think my

view is as simple -- is as important as someone who has 30 of

40 years' experience. We ask our fresh-faced commentators for their

views. In other news, I will be looking at

the Secretary of State's idea on how to bury our differences. That

is a sideways view from Newton Emerson. You can also follow the

programme on Twitter. First tonight, it is back on our

screens, a soap opera of family tensions, if divided loyalties and

convoluted plot lines. You could not make it up and we did not have

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 54 seconds

Well, one of the stars of this latest Ulster Unionist drama is

John McCallister, the South Downs MLA was sacked this week. He was

sacked after making a speech criticising Unionist unity. Party

leader Mike Nesbitt saw sections of the speech as an attack on his

leadership. He is with me now. Do you feel you have been caught in

the middle of a real-life soap opera over the past few days?

knew you are not going to invite me in to talk about the return of

Dallas. The party leader has the right to change all to move people

around and I accept that. The speech I gave last night was I felt

a very strong Ulster Unionist speech to a strong Ulster Unionist

audience and there were about 1,500 voters. There were very small

sections Mike had issues with. I said what I was talking about was

the perception out there by commentators and others, the

perception that the party is moving slowly down the rate Unionist unity.

In other words, it looks like a duck, walks like a dog -- duck, it

probably is a duck. He called you into his office up at Stormont on

Monday morning at 9 o'clock and gave you his marching orders, he

said he did not have confidence in the only more, did he tell you

precisely why he was sacking you? He said he had lost confidence in

me and the Assembly group had lost confidence in me and my role as

deputy leader of that group because he took the section as sleepwalking

into unity as an attack on him. I explained, as I have explained to

you, but it was about commentators and the perception out there in the

wider public, but the party is moving that way and that there is a

Nick -- a problem of mixing the message, from what he set out as

his conference speech and I reiterated. Was that a complete

bolt out of the blue? You did not see it coming? I knew he was not

pleased with the speech. We had spoken briefly on Saturday when he

read it in the newsletter. We exchanged text messages on Sunday.

I knew he was not happy with that part of the speech. Fine with the

rest of the speech, no issue with it. There was a tiny section.

you knew in advance that he was not happy because he had seen a draft

on the News Letter on Saturday, why did you go ahead and make the

speech? I was not told to not make the speech. The speech is still on

the party's website and to date, I'm quite happy for people to e-

mail me Mark -- of their views. There has probably never been a

speech was widely read in my political career. It was that one

section. There is a real and present danger that our perception

can become reality and that is the perception to the party that I was

warning about. Mike Nesbitt has put great store by the fact that he

does not want Unionist unity. This was the weekend of covenant

commemorations, it was an important and for union isn't generally, so

to say anything that could be construed in any way as being

undermining of your party leader, surely was unwise and the

circumstances, or it was a deliberate attempt to undermine

him? I would take issue with all of that. When I was speaking at a

covenant dinner, loosely connected, it was an Ulster Unionist speech. I

knew on the Friday night that the First Minister was likely to go

down the road of pushing the Unionist unity in gender and I felt

it was important that we had a counterbalance to this message,

that the First Minister would be putting because that perception, it

certainly was not an attack on the party leader. It was an attack on

the perception that is growing within the party. Read Nick you're

with today, read Liam Clarke. All the commentators were saying that.

I stand fully by my comments. It was only a tiny phrase in the

speech that Mike had an issue with. The rest of the speech, I thought

it dovetailed very nicely into his speech the previous week. We set

out a very clear vision about wanting a purist - at a pluralist

liberal agenda. You do not disagree? Far from disagreeing, I

would agree with it. We had a brief chat after his conference speech

where I said, and he was saying, this is the direction we are going.

I was absolutely following on what I believe to be the policy. There

is no divergence in party politics. You do not seem to like his

leadership at the moment? A bit in the speech was nothing to do with

his leadership. That is how he interpreted it. He interpreted it

that way but it was to do with the perception that we are on a course

and the message that he is putting out in his leadership speech, and I

reiterated, is somehow being lost because of the perception of moving

towards Unionist unity. You are supposed to get clearance for any

interviews you do, have you sought permission for this interview to

that? Does Mike Nesbitt know you are sitting in that it? The general

rule is you get permission or clearance so you can co-ordinate,

one that there are not two Ulster Unionists appearance on the

programme and what the message is. There is no policy divergence. I

have not sought permission because I am at one with the vision that

Mike set out. But Mike Nesbitt might see on the programme tonight

and not know you were taking part and see it as another attempt to

undermine his leadership. Is it? Absolutely not. I am right behind

what might set out in his conference speech. My speech

dovetailed, to my mind, perfectly behind what the leadership -- the

leader was saying. I felt it dovetailed into promote that

pluralist liberal agenda that he and I think the party should both

be going. He took it as a criticism. It certainly was not a criticism or

undermining. There is that perception that needs to be nailed

and our message, the message that Mike is putting out, is being lost

because of this endless chat out there by Unionist unity. Where does

all of this, the fact that you have been removed from the opposition,

the fact that Mike Nesbitt is clearly not happy with the way you

have conducted yourself, where does this leave you as far as your

future membership of the Ulster Unionist Party is concerned? Is

that in question? The decision Mike took, I am a tough and experienced

politician, I can take the knocks like that, that is the rough-and-

tumble, the leader does have the power to move people, to decide

what jobs people dig will start patters find. No problem with that

adult. The speech I gave on Saturday night dovetails with the

values and principles that might lay doubt the previous Saturday in

his conference speech. This is the direction the Ulster Unionists are

going in. It is something I am fully committed to. The only

divergence we had was around the perception that I think I was right

to warn the party that there is a growing perception that we are

moving towards the Unionist unity. So you're not going anywhere? You

are staying there the Ulster Unionist party? Will you have

another tilt for the leadership? There is not going to be a

leadership election for a long time in the Ulster Unionist Party. We

need to build up the agenda and we need to get our message, we need to

get that message that might delivered at the conference speech,

that I reiterated the following Saturday night, and we need to

clear all the scenery and all the discussion of Unionist unity and

nail that myth and room and get rid of it so we are on a single message.

And if Mike Nesbitt calls you into the office again tomorrow morning

and says you're not happy with the way you're conducting yourself. You

will say? I will say what is the issue? Had fully committed to the

party, fully committed to the vision that might set out in his

conference speech and that is how the party needs to go and that is

the direction I am confident that we are going to go. I will work

hard to deliver that, work hard in my constituency. Even on the

Still to come on the programme: Gridlock Belfast. How long can the

You might have noticed our politicians are getting younger.

Stormont now has the youngest parliamentarian in the UK or

Ireland, Sinn Fein MLA Megan Fearon, who is 21. The DUP's Gavin Robinson

isn't far ahead of her at 27. He's the Lord Mayor of Belfast. Chris

Page has been speaking to them and asking if the influx of youth is

making a difference to political life here.

Politics here has had a drink from the fountain of youth. The

twentysomethings are not just getting involved, but taking top

jobs. Just a few months ago a student called Megan Fearon was

sitting her final seal at Queen's. Since then she has gone from

studying politics, to being a fully fledged politician. Now she has

what lectures for legislation and courts work for committees. Not if

she only the youngest member of the assembly, also the youngest

parliamentarian in the UK and Ireland. There is a link between

school attendance and deprivation. At the age of 21, she made her

maiden speech on Tuesday. She has been an MLA since June. I thought

about it long and hard. The decision was based on the fact that

if you want to make get difference you have to lead by example. We

definitely need more young people and women in politics. I felt I

couldn't be an advocate for that and not attempt to break the glass

ceiling myself. Good morning everyone. Thank you very much for

coming out to see me. Meet Kevin Robinson, to be DUP's choice to

lead the because council in Northern Ireland. He is 27, but has

already worked as an adviser to the First Minister. The Lord mayor

thinks Jobson get much better than his present one. You try to do your

bit to help people. It is a very satisfying part of my life. Being

actively involved in that, trying to assist when you can or provide

solutions is very rewarding and satisfying. So, our students

interested and inspired when they see politicians not much older than

them in high-profile positions? There are issues that the people of

our region younger carer bouts would be dealt with more

effectively. Some people would say that people at a rate turned ready.

It brings a different perspective to political life and we need it.

get away from the stereotype of just old men being in politics.

With more senior people consider casting their vote for people a lot

younger? For a young man in their 20s, doesn't have enough experience.

Some of them a minute too long, and in need fresh blood. If they have

the experience they could do it, but I doubt it. Megan and Caporn

think their voices are valuable. I don't think my life experience is

any less valid because it is shorter. We have a young population

here. That should be put across in what we discuss and the issues that

be raised. I have worked professionally. I have my education.

I have my own experience, my own reflections. It may only be 27, but

I like to think that my view is as important and a sequel as somebody

else to has 30 or 40 years' experience. They are passionate

about promoting the interests of young people.

Now for anyone who's had to travel in or out of Belfast over the last

few weeks this will strike a chord Just look at this - an all too

familiar sight for motorists. The new bus lanes are being blamed for

many of the problems. This morning was especially bad because of

malfunctioning traffic lights around Belfast. With me now is the

former Lord Mayor Niall O Donnghaile.

Thank you for joining us. You still hold the record for being the

youngest lord mayor? Yes, I'll hold on to that for a while yet.

were 25. He was 27. embarrassing is this for Belfast

City Council, for business in Belfast have this chaos on a daily

basis. I don't pick it is embarrassing for the council as we

are not responsible. We're trying to bring some kind of clarity to

the problem. In relation to this project, it goes without saying

that it has been poorly communicated and implemented. What

we need to do is continue what the council have done. We can be a

great convenor of people and a great communicator with citizen's.

We're determined to get the right people around the table, because

this has happened. This is what we're dealing with. We want to get

the right information out to people. Should the Department of regional

develop -- development be embarrassed? I think it should. It

should recognise the negative impact it is having, not just on

the people who are commuting, but also on the perception of Belfast

more widely. Is embarrassing. We can get away from the fact that it

is having a negative impact on people trying to get to work,

trying to get the kids to school. We're heading into the Christmas

periods, a very important periods. That is why I think the council

have taken a lead to try and bring a degree of clarity and get the

right people around the table. Candace working group actually make

a difference? It is at the Arc de issue. Will it be any more than

just a talking shop? It will only work if the Department come to it

with their proactive frame of mind. This was poorly communicated and

that is still the case. People out there tonight just don't understand

the changes that have implemented. When you look at the changes that

were made at the back of City Hall, this project came into effect and

the yellow lines that went down on May Street did not go down. There

were numerous cars going the wrong way up a one-way street at the back

of City Hall. There needs to be a crypt taken of this situation. It

is the department ultimately, that is where the buck stops.

traffic was definitely getting more and more difficult, but officialdom

seems to admit the problem worse. How do we magically resolved that

without taking out the bus lanes? From Sinn Fein perspective, and a

council prospective, we support investment in the public transport

infrastructure. We support encouraging people to get out of

the car. It will be difficult. The experts are telling us it will take

six to eight weeks for people to get used to this. We can just love

and hope, we need to see action. sure a lot of people at home will

be shouting, I hope it is less than 68 weeks. Thank you for coming in

Let's get a different view of political life here, with Newton's

News. In other news this week: The

Alliance Party has split over gay marriage, with half its MLAs voting

for party policy and half abstaining or voting against.

Alliance says it's confused, but it's probably just a phase. The DUP

has advised it to see a psychiatrist.

The SDLP has demanded the creation of a red meat Ombudsman. In a

written Assembly question, MLA Sean Rogers asked the Minister of

Agriculture and Rural Development whether she intends to appoint an

Ombudsman to monitor the red meat industry. If we do get a red meat

Ombudsman, it will have to consult stakeholders.

BNP leader Nick Griffen was among those watching Saturday's Ulster

Covenant Parade. Mr Griffen says he's a fan of the Orange Order, but

the Royal Black Preceptory should go back where it came from.

Sinn Fein's Conor Murphy is in Venezuela, a country in no way

associated with Colombia. "I have been asked to travel to Venezuela

as one of 200 International Observers for the Presidential

elections", he announced on Twitter. Venezuela is ruled by an ex-army

officer and kept afloat by trading oil, so the MP for South Armagh was

an obvious choice. And, finally, new Secretary of

State, Theresa Villiers, has visited Glasnevin Cemetery in

Dublin, where she made the following observation: "I think the

approach to having a non- denominational cemetery where

people with diametrically opposed views on politics and religion can

lie side-by-side is one that's very positive." The positive message

there being that one day we'll all With me our young at heart

commentators Deirdre Heenan and Rick Wilford. Let's go back to the

story with John McAllister. What did you make a body had to say?

was very understanding of Mike Misbah's position, but also

unapologetic. He is stinging -- he is clinging to the view that the

party needs to be progressive. You could say that nightmares but was

being regressive by stripping him of the leadership -- the deputy

leadership. I have read the speech quite a few times and I think it

was exactly the speech that Mike Nesbitt should have been making.

might Nesbitt make a view -- make a mistake by a disciplining him as

severely as he did? Yes. One phrase needed to be set within the context

of the perception, that is what he did. There is that you out there

about this, and it is important that it be corrected. I think the

step that might Nisbett Duke was one step too far. Do you think John

McAllister committed high treason? It was unfair and illogical. John

repeatedly said that his speech dovetailed with the speech they

might miss but kit -- give it a conference. What he was saying is

that it is dangerous to have one Unionist Party because eventually

you will have one nationalist party, then sectarianism becomes more

ingrained. That seems more logical to me. Mike Nesbitt won the

leadership over John McAllister, 80 % to 20 %. Recent polls and the

people have suggested that he continues to carry the support of

the vast majority of his party. That's right, it was a 4-1 ratio.

When I first heard what it happen, I wondered if Mike Nesbitt was

feeling a bit brittle, or really confident. You would have to come

to the conclusion he is feeling very confident. I think you feel

secure and confident enough to take the decision he did. It's my Bunty

and politicians. Are they making a difference? Is that a development

that we should welcome? Undoubtedly. Young people bring a different

perspective, enthusiasm, energy and passion. We need to address the

disillusionment in young people in Northern Ireland. We know that

young people are switched off by politics and that the average age

of the councillor is over 60 in the UK. We have to say, is politics

relevant? If it isn't, what can we do to make it much -- do to make it

relevant? We may need to look at the voting age, the systems of

voting. We need an all-inclusive political system. You taught both

of them, didn't you? They were both graduates of Queen's. You moment of

the week? A social policy story. Four years after was first

announced, draft legislation to set up the one single education and

authority in Northern Ireland finally reached the floor of the

assembly this week. Hallelujah! It is a good example, the whole

debacle around this single education a priority is a very good

example of the paralysis that has gripped this executive and the last.

We know that education is a key issue and one that we need to

address urgently. We have had announcement this week about GCSEs

and under attainment. We need to get his body set up immediately.

has got to be the speech by Ed Miliband. Everybody has been

likening him to this really because of this frees one nation. It is an

anagram of know it Tony and. I don't think Benjamin Disraeli has

the right person to compare him to. Roosevelt is Zinnia comparison. The

New Deal man. Roosevelts is an anagram of vote-loser. That might

hang around his time -- hang around his neck for some time. You're

He uncovered that the executive has spent over �100,000 on PR

photographs to promote our executive and he is continuing his

job as a one-man opposition party determined to keep our local

politicians accountable. He won the presidential debate in the States?

What I saw, Mitt Romney. I am reminded more and more of Max

headroom, the computer-generated character. Barack Obama was very