@BrianPope100

Independent Infrastructure, Engineering and Public Policy Analyst I Expert Witness I Former Councillor.

 Belfast, Northern Ireland
muckrack.com/brian-pope-ni/portfolio
Joined November 2024
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  • Followers199
85Media
The Drumcree crisis exposes a growing divide between cultural and constitutional Unionism. (Article below) Securing the Union may require restraining cultural instincts and putting reconciliation at the heart of Unionism’s constitutional strategy. sluggerotoole.com/2026/10/12…

Drumcree: Could the Crisis Reshape Unionist Politics?

As the Drumcree crisis intensifies, some Unionists are calling for profound political consequences, potentially including the collapse of Stormont and its institutions, whilst others are considering...

sluggerotoole.com
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Pleased to have lead letter in today's NewsLetter The Drumcree crisis could have significant political consequences Perhaps its lasting impact will be whether it encourages some of our political leaders to place reconciliation at the heart of their 'constitutional' strategies.
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Success for local social enterprise at annual awards trib.al/Xf805NR

Success for local social enterprise at annual awards

Belfast-based social enterprise, Habitat ReStore was a double winner at the 2026 Social Enterprise Northern Ireland awards.

newsletter.co.uk
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Brian Pope retweeted
Alex.Kane@AlexKane221b6h
The DUP’s present dilemma is reminiscent of the UUP’s between 1997 and early 2004. And I remember how relentless the DUP was in its mockery of Trimble and those who supported him.
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Brian Pope retweeted
Brian Pope@BrianPope100Oct 23
Part 3 : Northern Ireland's changing politics. A Blueprint for a New Centrist Political Force in Northern Ireland… – Slugger O'Toole share.google/RcYmhqTm9WfScjS…

A Blueprint for a New Centrist Political Force in Northern Ireland…

“Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.” What if three political parties that have spent years competing for parts of Northern Ireland’s political centre have more in common than their...

sluggerotoole.com
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Brian Pope retweeted
Brian Pope@BrianPope100Oct 23
Part 2 : Northern Ireland's changing politics. Drumcree: Could the Crisis Reshape Unionist Politics? – Slugger O'Toole share.google/1XT5V055F0X0Vks…

Drumcree: Could the Crisis Reshape Unionist Politics?

As the Drumcree crisis intensifies, some Unionists are calling for profound political consequences, potentially including the collapse of Stormont and its institutions, whilst others are considering...

sluggerotoole.com
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Brian Pope retweeted
Brian Pope@BrianPope100Oct 23
Part 1 : Northern Ireland's changing politics. Drumcree: Perhaps Cultural Unionism and Constitutional Unionism have Parted Company. – Slugger O'Toole share.google/GlFJbB2p1zhi91k…

Drumcree: Perhaps Cultural Unionism and Constitutional Unionism have Parted Company.

The return of Drumcree to our newspapers and political headlines has brought back troubling memories for many people in Northern Ireland. However, in trying to untangle this difficult problem,...

sluggerotoole.com
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Stormont Watch has been redesigned. There's an audience for ideological and sectarian takes on the Assembly. This isn't that. It shows what happened: votes, bills and expenses, as published, with no side taken. Less outrage, more facts. stormontwatch.com
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Part 3 : Northern Ireland's changing politics. A Blueprint for a New Centrist Political Force in Northern Ireland… – Slugger O'Toole share.google/RcYmhqTm9WfScjS…

A Blueprint for a New Centrist Political Force in Northern Ireland…

“Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.” What if three political parties that have spent years competing for parts of Northern Ireland’s political centre have more in common than their...

sluggerotoole.com
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Part 2 : Northern Ireland's changing politics. Drumcree: Could the Crisis Reshape Unionist Politics? – Slugger O'Toole share.google/1XT5V055F0X0Vks…

Drumcree: Could the Crisis Reshape Unionist Politics?

As the Drumcree crisis intensifies, some Unionists are calling for profound political consequences, potentially including the collapse of Stormont and its institutions, whilst others are considering...

sluggerotoole.com
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Part 1 : Northern Ireland's changing politics. Drumcree: Perhaps Cultural Unionism and Constitutional Unionism have Parted Company. – Slugger O'Toole share.google/GlFJbB2p1zhi91k…

Drumcree: Perhaps Cultural Unionism and Constitutional Unionism have Parted Company.

The return of Drumcree to our newspapers and political headlines has brought back troubling memories for many people in Northern Ireland. However, in trying to untangle this difficult problem,...

sluggerotoole.com
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Brian Pope retweeted
Belfast Telegraph
@BelTelOct 23
Tiger Woods set to design Northern Ireland's first new links course in over a century belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport…

Tiger Woods set to design Northern Ireland's first new links course in over a century

belfasttelegraph.co.uk
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Brian Pope retweeted
Alan Stout@AlanStout19Oct 23
If our executive collapses it may well signal the complete collapse of our NHS. I can’t imagine the pressure, but well done to @GRobinsonDUP for his resolve and strong leadership in very difficult circumstances
BBC The View@bbctheviewOct 22
Tonight DUP MP @carlalockhart resigned as a DUP officer, a story first reported by @SuzyJourno DUP party leader @GRobinsonDUP says he's "sorry to see that it has occurred and she remains a key part of our team." #BBCTheView @MarkCarruthers7
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Brian Pope retweeted
ruth allum@mgtruthOct 23
Well I first one I’m gobsmacked. When I say gobsmacked, I mean not shocked at all.
Amanda Ferguson
@AmandaFBelfastOct 23
Who brings the culture war to Stormont?👀 Do any of the findings surprise you? See: mlaculturewars.nidata.fyi/?f…

MLA Culture Wars

An independent, transparent analysis of how Northern Ireland MLAs use Assembly questions, speeches and motions to pursue culture-war politics — with every figure traceable to the official record.

mlaculturewars.nidata.fyi
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Brian Pope retweeted
Daniel Kelly@DKellyDerryOct 22
Unionism has long tried to start conversations internally on NI > I count 11 since 2021 - Why do these meetings end with no planning or strategy? @mervgib | @BeattieDoug | @mclaren_linzi | @AlexKane221b | @rodneyedwards | @BrianPope100
Moore Holmes
@mooreholmes244 May 2021
The panelist’s for this Thursday evening for “The Beginning of Northern Ireland” have been announced. Rev Mervyn Gibson Professor Pete Shirlow Historian Quincy Dougan MLA Doug Beattie Join us on East Belfast ACT’s Facebook page from 7pm LIVE.
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A Blueprint for a New Centrist Political Force in Northern Ireland… “Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.” What if three political parties that have spent years competing for parts of Northern Ireland’s political centre have more in common sluggerotoole.com/2026/10/19…

A Blueprint for a New Centrist Political Force in Northern Ireland…

“Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.” What if three political parties that have spent years competing for parts of Northern Ireland’s political centre have more in common than their...

sluggerotoole.com
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Brian Pope retweeted
Brian Pope@BrianPope100Oct 20
❓ Could Northern Ireland develop a functioning political centre that includes people who disagree fundamentally about the border? A Blueprint for a New Centrist Political Force in Northern Ireland… @SluggerOToole (3,400 readers) sluggerotoole.com/2026/10/19…

A Blueprint for a New Centrist Political Force in Northern Ireland…

“Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.” What if three political parties that have spent years competing for parts of Northern Ireland’s political centre have more in common than their...

sluggerotoole.com
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❓ Could Northern Ireland develop a functioning political centre that includes people who disagree fundamentally about the border? A Blueprint for a New Centrist Political Force in Northern Ireland… @SluggerOToole (3,400 readers) sluggerotoole.com/2026/10/19…

A Blueprint for a New Centrist Political Force in Northern Ireland…

“Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.” What if three political parties that have spent years competing for parts of Northern Ireland’s political centre have more in common than their...

sluggerotoole.com
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Short article on whether the UUP, Alliance & SDLP could achieve more together as a new centrist political alliance? Despite constitutional differences, they share common ground on economic growth, public services and political stability. @AlexKane221b @Choyaa13 @mclaren_linzi
Brian Pope@BrianPope100Oct 19
Could the UUP, Alliance and SDLP achieve more together than apart? Despite constitutional differences, they share common ground on economic growth, public services and political stability. Time to explore a new centrist political alliance in N Ireland? sluggerotoole.com/2026/10/19…

A Blueprint for a New Centrist Political Force in Northern Ireland…

“Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.” What if three political parties that have spent years competing for parts of Northern Ireland’s political centre have more in common than their...

sluggerotoole.com
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Brian Pope retweeted
Brian Pope@BrianPope100Oct 19
“Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.” A Blueprint for a New Centrist Political Force in Northern Ireland. Article below just for discussion: @DKellyDerry @AndyBelfast @McKinleyAn sluggerotoole.com/2026/10/19…
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Could the UUP, Alliance and SDLP achieve more together than apart? Despite constitutional differences, they share common ground on economic growth, public services and political stability. Time to explore a new centrist political alliance in N Ireland? sluggerotoole.com/2026/10/19…

A Blueprint for a New Centrist Political Force in Northern Ireland…

“Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.” What if three political parties that have spent years competing for parts of Northern Ireland’s political centre have more in common than their...

sluggerotoole.com
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more replies
1st potential alliance would be a joint opposition arrangement comprising three independent parties that agree policy. 2nd might be a formal political alliance where the parties retain their identities. 3rd is a new political party with common rules, leadership and manifesto.
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Could all three parties, who disagree over NI’s constitutional future, agree a common programme for government & format that delivers long-term stability. Surely it is worth exploring what these three parties could achieve together rather than separately?
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