Recovering politican.
Belfast, UK
Joined October 2011
- Tweets15.5K
- Following2.3K
- Followers10.5K
- Likes13.6K
Re Belfast Zoo: Why not take inspiration from MEA Council’s Loughshore campsite? Belfast could create a similar heritage-led visitor attraction, incorporating a reconstructed crannóg, camping & educational experiences celebrating ancient Ireland.
vm.tiktok.com/ZN8Pkd6oU/
Re Belfast Zoo: flamingo pond sits on the site of an ancient Irish crannóg...a remarkable link to our past. Imagine recreating one as an educational attraction, bringing ancient Ireland to life and making our heritage accessible to future generations.
vm.tiktok.com/ZN8PhsDJ4/
2
384
The cost is rising every year, while income is failing. Thinking outside the box, the site - comprising 55 acres of of unrivalled views across the lough and a 15 minute bus ride into the city- would make an excellent location for a licensed eco-campsite.
Animal rights campaigners have called for Belfast Zoo to be shut down, claiming its continued operation is costing ratepayers millions of pounds while raising serious concerns about animal welfare.
belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/…
2. The economic opportunity goes far beyond the farm gate. Processing & manufacturing here would drive investment, create skilled jobs & circulate wealth locally, strengthening both our productive & circular economies. We should be growing this industry, not watching others do it
A particularly good example is IndiNature in the Scottish Borders.
It has established a manufacturing mill producing natural-fibre insulation from industrial hemp, sourced from UK farms, including Yorkshire.
2
1
346
Northern Ireland wouldn't be starting from scratch or betting on an untested idea. There are UK businesses already demonstrating how hemp can connect farming, processing, manufacturing and construction.
1
97
I agree in principle, but it's unlikely. More achievable, and within NI's gift, is expanding hemp farming licences. Our climate is ideal, with huge potential for sustainable bio-plastics, packaging and textiles, tapping global demand while supporting local agriculture.
You know what would raise revenue for Stormont....a legalised cannabis market with money from tax being used to fund vital services in the North.
Would be a game changer!
1
4
586
Genuine question: why would someone planning terrorist attacks openly identify themselves as terrorists in an email? Is the intention to intimidate, cause maximum disruption, or deliberately provoke a particular reaction? The wording is interesting.
13
29
4,582
Jeffrey Donaldson’s 15 year sentence marks a significant moment. I hope his victims feel heard, believed and that justice has been served. No sentence can undo what they’ve endured, but I hope this brings some measure of closure and allows them to move forward with their lives.
In a world where the internet and virtual reality allow us to explore the natural world like never before, surely it’s time to rethink zoos and attractions that confine animals for our entertainment. Conservation and education matter, but captivity shouldn’t be the default.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park is expected to open on Monday after a man was fatally attacked by a tiger when he entered the enclosure on Saturday.
lbc.co.uk/article/yorkshire-…
10
7
1,598
I’m confident political unionism won’t pull the plug on devolution. But can the same confidence be placed in Sinn Féin? The legal challenge to the Secretary of State’s decision could prove pivotal. Its outcome may shape the next chapter at Stormont.
4
15
5,001
IMO - the vast majority of DUP MLAs, whilst sharing their colleagues’ anger, will not support a leadership contest. They know the consequences of destabilising their own party and jeopardising devolution. I don’t believe there are the numbers or the appetite for a challenge.
2
10
1,624
Re calls for the Chief Cons resignation. Would his departure genuinely restore confidence in policing, or simply satisfy an immediate demand? Accountability matters, but so does having a clear endgame.
What I'm hearing is less talk of axing Stormont, more calls for a unionist withdrawal from the Policing Board. One threatens the institution, the other challenges participation in policing oversight. But is it a strategy with a clear endgame or simply an outlet for frustration?
Stormont may survive but the landscape could look very different after #AE27. SF gains whilst SDLP lose ground. The DUP continues to bleed and Loyalism may gravitate towards the TUV. The real battle however will be who inherits the disillusioned unionist vote. UUP or Alliance?
Gavin Robinson won't pull the plug on Stormont. It isn't in unionism's interests. But some in his ranks may not accept that and decide their future lies elsewhere. The Assembly may survive this crisis, but the DUP could still pay a price.