As long as people's motives are honourable, and the job isn't for financial gain, that sort of thing.
Mike Nesbitt was a few years ahead of me at the old school. He was quite an extrovert character then, too: coming into school in his racy motor-bike, a school prefect, a big, bushy head of hair! He was clever, popular and well liked, I seem to recall.
Good luck to him.
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I hope he does well - it would be good to have a change in Strangford. Our current incumbent may have a colourful private live, but I'm not sure she's what we need in an MP...
I think she has "stood down" already! The field is clear and let battle commence...
I'm waiting to see what's going to happen with North Down. If Lady Hermon doesn't join them, and they don't come up with a big hitter (titled, etc.!) she'll take the seat easily.
W.
I think Lady H will be de-selected because her socio-economic views are incompatible with the Conservative & Unionist Party. In 4 words, she is a Socialist!
People seem to like Lady Sylvia though. If they de-select her, I'd be surprised if she didn't stand as an independent and win. That would surely be more damaging for the UUP. People seem to like having an aristocrat as their MP - weren't half Ulster's 1960s MPs landed gentry? (Faulkner, Brookeborough, O'Neill, Stronge et al).
Brian Faulkner wasn't an aristocrat; nor is Lady Hermon. She only has the title because she was married to Sir Jack Hermon, who was a Knight Bachelor.
The days of the Ulster nobility as politicians are gone. The last nobleman to be an MP was the Duke of Abercorn who, as Lord Hamilton, represented Fermanagh and S Tyrone about 1974.
No, I suppose she's not a member of the old aristocracy, but having a title does give dumb N. Down voters that impression... The Faulkners had a pretty large pad at Ringhaddy (and an equally large yacht at one point). I'd say they were at least landed gentry, albeit through industry (ie own hard work) rather than C17th confiscations! By the way, I love those pictures of Belvoir House - great find!
The Faulkners were, indeed, a good Ulster family; Lady Faulkner still lives at the family home. It was a life barony, though.
Lady Hermon (nee Paisley!) was the daughter of a farmer from Castlecaulfield, according to Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sylvia_Hermon
I almost forgot that Henry Lord Dunleath was a local politician late 80s-90s; and 2nd lord Brookeborough too, prior to James Hamilton (now Abercorn).
Thanks re Belvoir! Glad you found it as interesting as me.
Brian Faulkner's niece is married to Lord Claud Hamilton; so there are connections.
I think anon. means good solid middle class stock, rather than aristocratic. Don't forget Lady Fisher, who was before George Currie and after her father, Sir Walter Smiles (son of the famous Samuel.) North Down has retained that theme better than most. One wonders what the Tories make of our MPs!
Hoping Danny Kinahan might get selected for somewhere, and Alan McFarland would be alright for N. Down (an old Rockport and CCB man).
W.
Hear, hear!
If I have one weakness, amongst many, I have a tendency for pedantry; so if I might seek your indulgence! :-)
I can be an "anorak" as far as my interests go, I'm afraid; though I've accumulated much trivia through the decades. :-)
Don't the Kinahans still live at Castle Upton? I'll be doing a piece about it when I get to Co Antrim.
Yes, he's still in Castle Upton; that's not their family place though - his father bought it (I think it was derelict at the time). The family were wine and spirit merchants, I think they had a house around the Antrim Rd. - Danny was at Belfast Royal Academy prep. They're a very nice family.
W.
I remember Sir Robin as Lord-Lieutenant, Chairman of Ulster Bank and on Board of the Cathedral. Very nice chap and gentleman.
Seconded re. good wishes to Bushy.
I remember him as being kind to us "young 'uns".
Sadly his fine mane is somewhat reduced!
Ha yes!
Sandy, would you know the Downshires, Nick and Janey?
Re the Downshires: I've met them a couple of times. My brother's wife is friendly with them and they come shooting when ever they are over. Seem nice, down to earth people.
They, or Lord D, might be over imminently, I am told! There's room at the Castle!
I saw them all on a foodie prog last year at Clifton Castle al fresco.
They seemed a lovely family to me, too.
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