Page 9 - I Protocol News Today

One of my all-time favourite television programmes is Blackadder, the popular period sitcom. One of the main characters is Baldrick, the ever-present servant and sidekick to the main character Edmund Blackadder. Baldrick has become popularly associated with the comedic catchphrase ‘I have a cunning plan.’ But, as I am sure most will know, his plans were always scathingly ridiculed for their complete implausibility.

The setting was spectacular for a Gothic Christmas story. An old castle, a mist descending on the village and a cast of characters coming together with an unpredictable outcome.

Is Sir Jeffrey Donaldson about to jump, and if he does will his party jump with him?

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has sent a message to party members in which he said the DUP has led the way on challenging Stormont’s underfunding and a better financial deal from the Government would be a big win secured by his party for Northern Ireland.

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson’s best chance of winning the argument within his party and unionism on a deal to restore Stormont is to widen the debate.

Gordon Brown once said that when he came to Belfast he would “feel the hand of history on my shoulders, and the hand of Peter Robinson in my pocket”.

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has sent a message to party members in which he said the DUP has led the way on challenging Stormont’s underfunding and a better financial deal from the Government would be a big win secured by his party for Northern Ireland.

The DUP once dismissed Jeffrey Donaldson as “Enoch Powell’s messenger boy” — and then he became their leader.

From strategies on tackling poverty and improving the environment, to allowances for police officers, there are now dozens of Stormont decisions awaiting approval for incoming ministers, it can be revealed.

Experience has taught me it’s best to not make deadline predictions when it comes to Northern Ireland politics.