A higher morality than taught by the Bible

Here we go again.  Philip Lardner, the Conservative Parliamentary candidate for North Ayrshire and Arran has been suspended for homophobic remarks, as just reported on Sky News.

Just to put Mr. Lardner’s remarks into context, he has tried to appear reasonable by holding out that he respects equality for gay people but refuses to acknowledge that their behaviour is normal or encourage children to indulge in it. 

Unfortunately, Mr. Larder is not alone in his views.  If you asked for the view of a Priest, Minister or Rabbi on this subject, you would not find much of a difference between the opinions of the clerics and Mr. Lardner.

If you scratch the surface further, you will find more politicians who privately agree with Mr. Lardner but will not say so in Public. 

Unfortunately for the Gay Community, there is one huge obstacle in the way of a post-homophobic society.  It is the Bible.  The most well-known reference against it is Leviticus 18:22   At various times, when a politician is accused of being an anti-gay bigot, he or she uses the Bible to defend his/her view.  Peter Robinson did just that a couple of years ago, following remarks made by his wife.  Philip Lardner has just made his own reference to his Christian beliefs.

For the Conservative Party, this is an ongoing problem but it should not be beyond their control.  We have a Parliamentary Assessment Board.  As an immediate measure, we must ensure that all of our candidates are properly screened so that their private religious views are exposed in that process.  When those views are exposed, they should then demonstrate a willingness not to air any view which could be regarded as being homophobic and understand that it is a breach of the party code of conduct if they do that.   I am not a party insider.  Perhaps that code exists and Mr. Lardner is clearly in breach of it.

Meanwhile, we as a society need to acknowledge, much more than we do at present, that as far as the law is concerned, it is not simply there to protect gay rights and promote equality.  It is much more than that.  The critical mass of our society has now moved on to embrace a higher form of morality, which is based upon humanist tolerance and decency.   To put it bluntly, as far as homosexuality is concerned, we are a post biblical society.

Expenses – 3 days to go and no sign of an investigation into Nigel Dodds

After yesterday’s broadcast of the Politics Show in which all 7 Northern Irish candidates sat on a question panel, the general consensus within the blogasphere is that the most of the candidates gave a satisfactory performance.    

That would include our own candidate, Jim Nicholson, who would admit that he is not the greatest of performers in a broadcast interview.  Diane Dodds, meanwhile, gave a terrible performance.  Some would describe it as disastrous.   

There have been plenty of negatives about the DUP. Perhaps if the euro election was another year or two later, the Conservatives and Unionists would have made much more political hay than they have so far.  Unfortunately, for the Conservatives and Unionists, the teething problems of putting together a new political force have not yet been overcome.  Lady Sylvia Hermon’s announcement was a symptom of that.    

There is perhaps one more thing which would hit Diane Dodds very hard.  It would be a discovery of unethical claims of Parliamentary expenses by her husband, Nigel Dodds.    

Alastair Darling is under pressure to resign as chancellor following adverse disclosures over his expense claims.  The criticism being levelled at Darling is that as the senior minister in charge of the nation’s finances, the position of trust and confidence will have broken down and he should therefore resign.  If Nigel Dodds, as first minister, were to be similarly scandalised, he would also face pressure to step down.   

I would suggest Diane Dodds would not be able to avoid being tainted by association in such circumstances.  Very few would believe that she would have no knowledge about her husband’s expense claims, particularly when she also is a politician.   

So far, 460 MPs have been investigated after 23 days.  That includes 11 of Northern Ireland’s 18 MPs.  At this rate, we can expect a further 60 MPs to be investigated by the time of voting for the European Elections on Thursday.  That would leave about 130 of them not investigated by the Euro elections.  If there is something to reveal, Mrs. Dodds will be keeping her fingers crossed that there is no disclosure before Thursday.    

Update 2nd June 2009.  Now there are only 3 NI MPs left to investigate.  Dodds still to be investigated.

Northern Ireland claims table 

Shows Nigel Dodds as the second highest claimant on aggregate but it is the breakdown which determines whether the claims were unethical.

Northern Ireland MPs so far Investigated

Peter Robinson,  Iris Robinson,  Martin Maguiness,  Gerry Adams,  Pat Doherty,  Michelle Gildernew,  Conor Murphy,  Mark Durkan,  Jeffrey Donaldson,  Gregory Campbell,  Sylvia Hermon,  Ian Paisley, David Simpson, William McCrea,  Sammy Wilson

Northern Ireland MPs still to be investigated

Nigel Dodds, Eddie McGrady, Alastair McDonnell

MP couple close to Peter and Iris Robinson set to leave Westminster over expenses

Yesterday, it was announced that Conservative MPs Nicholas and Anne Winterton would not be standing as MPs in their constituencies at the next general election.   

Their reason for leaving appears to be connected with the MP expenses scandal as revealed by yesterday’s Daily Telegraph.   

On January 27^th 2009, a report appeared in the Belfast Newsletter indicating that Conservative MP, Sir Nicholas Winterton, attended a dinner in Ballymena to celebrate Dr. Ian Paisley’s 40 years as an MP.  At the dinner, he was quoted as saying as follows:  

“I am concerned that the arrangement now being entered into between the Conservatives and Unionist Party and the Official Unionists (UUP) in Northern Ireland will divide the vote in marginal constituencies and serve only to let in Sinn Fein.
“Those that seek to divide are doing a disservice to the unionist cause.
“We have a duty not to turn our backs on the unionist people of Northern Ireland whose loyalty to our Queen and country I have never doubted.
“That loyalty should be honoured and reciprocated – but never betrayed.”

It was as a result of this report that I found out more about the close connection between the Wintertons and the DUP MPs including the other MP couple, Peter and Iris Robinson.  Sir Nicholas Winterton voted against the Belfast Agreement.  

After the report, I learned that the Wintertons were very much “one-off” supporters of the DUP within the Conservative Party. 

The Wintertons might be missed by the DUP MPs.  They will not be missed by very many Conservatives.

Allister benefits as he lets the papers make a meal out of the Robinsons

Cast your eye over some of the comments attached to the Belfast Telegraph report on Peter and Irish Robinson and you might notice something that I did.  

It was not just public disgust.  It was anger everywhere.  I believe that we are in for something of a watershed in the European Elections.  Labour will be hit by it.  So will the Conservatives.  There may even be an additional dimension to this in Northern Ireland.

Until last year, the leader of the DUP (previously named the “Protestant Unionist Party) was Revd. Ian Paisley.  This is the man for half a century managed to mix religion and politics.  He was despised by many from the Catholic community.  There was no shortage of bigotry in his speeches.  There was plenty of distortion of facts in a lot of the things he said.  Was he ever found to be dishonest?   

I am not aware of any allegations of dishonesty against Revd. Paisley. It looks very much as though he remains the non-smoking, non-drinking, bible-adherent fundamentalist Protestant.   

One of Paisley’s legacies is that orthodox Protestantism seems to form part of the DUP’s ideology.  That is apparent from some of the things that their politicians say on matters such as creationism.  I am therefore wondering if the impact of the Robinson’s expenses claims will be far greater than just a couple of weeks of embarrassment.  Will a lot of people not feel too let down to forgive or will they more easily forgive?  

One politician who may be wondering if divine intervention is going his way is Jim Allister. Allister is a chip off the old DUP bible-thumping block.  The timing of the scandal could not have been much better for Allister.  In fact, he seems to be so confident about the impact of the story on the Robinsons that he has not even named them directly in his latest post.  He also uses his post to highlight his good transparency in that his expenses are posted on his website.  

There’s only one good piece of news that would top what has already happened – An expense claims scandal against Nigel Dodds. Casting my eye over the table that I published on 31^st March, lo and behold, he is the Northern Ireland MP with the second-highest aggregate expense claim.  Hmmm.

Cameron must probe all Conservative Euro MPs urgently

Today, Peter and Irish Robinson will be squirming in front of their copy of the Belfast Telegraph.    

All the attention will be on them for the rest of the day.  I need not say any more about that story.   

It made me think. Is there anything left?  What about the Euro MPs. If a similar system for expenses for Euro MPs was similar to that of the House of Commons, I would be in no doubt that we would see dubious claims all over Europe.   

As I researched the net, lo and behold, I stumbled upon this most interesting report in the Times last year.  The report says it all.  Somebody knows something quite explosive that is not yet in the public domain.  

David Cameron should, right now, be asking all of the existing Conservative MEPs to disclose, immediately, anything they know which could embarrass the party.  If they are not honest in their response, there is nothing further that can be done for the time being.  However, having carried out that exercise, he will have acquired the sharpest of axes.   

When the detailed news eventually hits the headlines (which I believe it will) he will be able to use it quickly and cleanly.  He would not then be blamed for letting them become elected.

Northern Ireland MPs could be back in the limelight over expenses

With yesterday’s announcement by David Cameron of his initiative to purge the excessive claims of MPs, he has certainly demonstrated leadership and an ability to handle a crisis.   

Whether those intending to vote conservative are sufficiently impressed by Cameron’s actions, we shall have to wait and see.  The next round of opinion polls will be very interesting.   

With Cameron having done all he can and with both Gordon Brown and the Lib Dems having announced their initiatives, the local spotlight will probably now turn back towards the parties in Northern Ireland.   

The Sunday Telegraph this weekend highlighted the expense claims of Sinn Fein MPs.  History makes it unlikely that they will be damaged by it politically. For example, they never lost support after the raid on the Northern Bank.   

What about the DUP?  Last week, Peter Robinson was on the backfoot over an email sent to one of his constituents.   Previously, he displayed anger over the “Swish Family Robinson” news headlines.  He did try to gag the Belfast Telegraph over another matter.  He certainly won’t be able to do that with the Daily Telegraph.

Conservatives suspend homophobic Councillor

If you thought that overt Homophobic bigotry was confined to DUP politicians, here is a wake up call.  A Conservative councillor, Mr. Patrick Clark, has publicly referred to gay people as “sexual deviants”. 

Pink news has reported Mr. Clarke’s defence of his views following his suspension for making those comments.  It is noted that Mr. Clarke bases his views on his religious teaching.  The references in the Old Testament of the Bible, to homosexuality being an abomination, will always be an obstacle to complete humanism for Christians and Jews.  

When it comes to politics, a Conservative politician or official is obliged to behave as a humanist, no matter what his or her religious beliefs.  That requires tolerance and sensitivity on matters of race, religion, sex, culture, disability and sexual orientation.  The Derby Conservative Party has, quite rightly, taken action against Mr. Clark for his comments.    

“‘Ulster’ is something we have to leave behind”

Last night, the Conservative Party of Northern Ireland hosted a promotional and fund-raising dinner at the Europa Hotel.  

Conservative area committee member, Tim Lewis, spokesman for business relations, introduced the speakers.  The main guest speaker was Northern Irishman, Colonel Tim Collins O.B.E.   

Tim Collins initially reminded us of the sacrifices made by our servicemen.  There were 100 soldiers killed in Iraq in 2008.  A similar number were killed in Northern Ireland in 1972.

He highlighted the achievements of Northern Ireland people in many fields including science, sport, military medicine and law and part of the reason for that which was its grammar school education system.  He attacked Sinn Fein’s failed policy on the abolition of the eleven plus. 

“I cannot think of anywhere else in the World where they replace a system having no idea of what to replace it with”, said Collins. 

He highlighted the fact that politics was the one area Northern Ireland had failed to produce greatness. In a reference to the continuing success of sectarian politics, he called the Northern Ireland political arena a “self-contained fantasy land with no hope of rising beyond the petty.”  

Making an oblique biblical reference, he made a jag at the DUP for their outspoken homophobia, “You will run into a pillar of salt. It will turn out to be Iris Robinson”, he said. 

He highlighted our central objective, which is to bring Normal Politics to Northern Ireland.  “We have to reach across the divide and do away with badges”, he said. 

He highlighted the need to maintain and nurture our special relationships with the USA and the Republic of Ireland. 

He acknowledged the political risks taken by the UUP and the SDLP to achieve peace in Northern Ireland.  He made reference to the DUP and Sinn Fein having ‘stolen the clothes’ of moderation after many years of extremism likening them to “two bears who came to the centre who can only glare at each other without being able to move forward together.”  

He spelt out the importance of detaching [toxic] labels and symbols, particularly from the point of view of the younger generation and made a plea to the UUP to let go of Ulster. “’Ulster’ is something we have to leave behind”, he said.  “If we can leave labels behind, our children will reap.”  

Jim Nicholson MEP

Tim Lewis then gave an especially warm welcome to Jim Nicholson, MEP who will contest to represent Northern Ireland on behalf of the Conservatives and Unionists.  There were cheers and a loud applause when he said “… our candidate”  

Mr. Nicholson gave a brief speech of thanks.  He highlighted his Conservative credentials and his record as an MEP going back 20 years.  He gave an indication of the challenges ahead, acknowledging and supporting the concerns of the Conservative Party in Europe. “We can add to the future of Europe.”  He emphasized the need for a “soft landing” for the newly-joined Eastern European countries that look to the EU to help develop their economies.  

When it comes to human rights, the DUP is not a party to be trusted

Iris Robinson will not be prosecuted over remarks that she make last year about Homosexuals. 

Reports about what she said are well documented elsewhere and I will not repeat them here.  I am not surprised that there will not be a prosecution.  I thought that when I heard there would be an investigation, thinking with my Lawyer’s hat.  That will be of little consolation to people from the Gay community who see this as an injustice.  

I wish I could say that in some way, Iris Robinson will pay a significant political price for her remarks. Most of those who support her do not disagree with what she said.  Her husband, the First Minister, Peter Robinson has since defended her remarks using references to the Bible, particularly in the Old Testament where the practice of Homosexuality is referred to as an abomination (e.g. Leviticus 18:22).  

By contrast, discrimination laws, whether about employment or Human Rights, have developed and by-passed the Bible as a moral starting point for making law.  It is as if we need a new equivalent of Charles Darwin to take religion out of the dark ages on this subject. 

For anybody who would like an authorititave scientific understanding of homosexuality, I recommend a book entitled “Why men don’t listen and why women cant read maps” by Alan and Barbara Pease, two famous psychologists.  The book is easy for a lay person to follow.  It provides a wonderful insight into the differences between male and female brain-wiring.  People I have talked to who have read the book have acknowledged the positive impact of the book on their own prejudices, not only towards the opposite sex, but towards homosexuals too.  

There are many who do not agree with the laws against discrimination, particularly DUP politicians.  Indeed, the DUP do not like Human Rights, full stop.  Last summer, they supported the Labour Party over the 42-day bill despite Labour’s failure to put a case to Parliament that a longer detention period was needed to deal with terrorism.  Last November, Sammy Wilson MLA, once again demonstrating his tendency not to appreciate the bigger picture, called for a debate in Parliament on Human Rights.  This was because he could not accept reporting restrictions in relation to alleged drug trafficking.   

More than 2 years ago, Peter Hain, then Northern Ireland Secretary, pushed through regulations on sexual orientation in order to prevent them being blocked by the DUP.  When it comes to Human Rights, the DUP is not a party to be trusted.