Latest news with #ClaireHanna
BBC News
5 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Palestine protest shuts down city centre road
A group of Pro-Palestinian protestors have staged a sit down protest which blocked roads outside Belfast City Hall. Traffic was stopped and rerouted on Donegall Street and Chichester Street during the demonstration on Friday protesters held up pictures of malnourished children and banged on pots and pans while chanting "Free, free Palestine".Police said Donegall Square North was closed for a short time but has since reopened. The protest came on the day that more than a third of MPs signed a letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer calling for the UK to recognise a Palestinian 220 MPs from nine political parties have backed the call - more than half of them Labour - arguing that UK recognition would send a "powerful" message and a vital step toward a two-state Ireland MPs Claire Hanna and Colum Eastwood from the SDLP and Alliance's Sorcha Eastwood are among the signatories.
Belfast Telegraph
5 days ago
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Traffic diverted due to Belfast protest against war in Gaza
At one stage traffic was diverted and some buses re-routed. Hundreds of protesters gathered with pots and pans lining Donegall Place and blocking oncoming traffic during the protest this evening. An online post described it as 'an emergency protest organised in Belfast against the weaponisation of starvation and aid and the ongoing genocide in Gaza, Palestine.' The PSNI and Translink has been approached for comment. Israel's war in Gaza has killed more than 59,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. It does not distinguish between militants and civilians. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Meanwhile, SDLP MPs Claire Hanna and Colum Eastwood and Alliance's Sorcha Eastwood are among 221 MPs from across different political parties who have joined forces to call on the Government to recognise a Palestinian state. The MPs urge the Government to take the step ahead of a United Nations conference in New York next week, following France's announcement it would recognise Palestine at the gathering. Their letter, co-ordinated by Sarah Champion - Labour chairwoman of the International Development Select Committee, said: "We are expectant that the outcome of the conference will be the UK Government outlining when and how it will act on its long-standing commitment on a two-state solution; as well as how it will work with international partners to make this a reality." Parliamentarians from Labour, the Conservatives, Lib Dems, SNP, Greens, Plaid Cymru, SDLP and independents were among those who signed the letter. Senior signatories include Labour select committee chairs Liam Byrne and Ruth Cadbury, the Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey, as well as Tory former minister Kit Malthouse. Ministers have faced growing calls to recognise a Palestinian state immediately amid mounting global anger over the starving population in Gaza. Israel 'tarnishing reputation', Lammy says as country rejects UK warnings Sir Keir Starmer said on Friday evening that such a move needed to be part of the "pathway" to peace in the Middle East. "That pathway will set out the concrete steps needed to turn the ceasefire so desperately needed, into a lasting peace," the Prime Minister said. He added: "Recognition of a Palestinian state has to be one of those steps. I am unequivocal about that. But it must be part of a wider plan which ultimately results in a two-state solution and lasting security for Palestinians and Israelis. In a statement released on Friday alongside the leaders of France and Germany, the Prime Minister urged "all parties to bring an end to the conflict by reaching an immediate ceasefire". Sir Keir, French president Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Friedrich Merz also called for Israel to stop restricting the flow of aid into Gaza.
The Journal
17-07-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Voting age in UK to be lowered to 16 by next general election
THE NEXT UK general election will see 16-year-olds able to vote for the first time, ministers have confirmed in wide-ranging plans to 'modernise democracy'. In Northern Ireland, these plans cover general elections in which voters select their MP and do not extend to Assembly Elections to vote for MLAs or to local council elections. SDLP leader Claire Hanna welcomed the move but said her party will 'continue to push for change to secure voting at all levels for 16 and 17-year-olds'. Labour's manifesto committed the party to lowering the voting age for parliamentary elections to 16, in line with Scottish and Welsh elections. But plans announced today go further in an effort to increase participation in elections. Ministers have proposed introducing automated voter registration, which is already used in Australia and Canada, and making UK-issued bank cards an accepted form of ID at polling stations. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said 'far too many people' had been put off voting by the voter ID rules introduced by the previous government, with the Electoral Commission finding around 750,000 people did not vote due to a lack of ID. The Government has already made the Veteran Card an accepted form of voter ID, and intends to allow digital forms of ID to be used when they become available. Deputy British Prime Minister Angela Rayner said: 'We are taking action to break down barriers to participation that will ensure more people have the opportunity to engage in UK democracy, supporting our plan for change, and delivering on our manifesto commitment to give 16-year-olds the right to vote.' British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said it was 'important' to lower the voting age, as 16-year-olds were old enough to work and 'pay in' through tax, so should 'have the opportunity' to say how they wanted their money spent. But a poll of 500 16 and 17-year-olds conducted for ITV News by Merlin Strategy found only half said they thought they should be allowed to vote, and only 18% would definitely vote. Labour stood to gain the most, with 33% saying they would back the party, while 20% said they would choose Reform UK and 18% the Greens. Naomi Smith, chief executive of campaign group Best for Britain, said the change was 'a brave choice set to benefit generations to come', and urged political parties to 'do more to win the votes of the UK's young people'. But in the Commons, Conservative shadow communities minister Paul Holmes accused the UK Government of being 'hopelessly confused' about the age of majority. Advertisement He said: 'Why does this Government think a 16-year-old can vote but not be allowed to buy a lottery ticket, an alcoholic drink, marry, or go to war, or even stand in the elections they're voting in?' Today's plans will also see a tightening of the rules on campaign finance aimed at barring 'shell companies' from donating to political parties and requiring more checks on donations to unincorporated associations. The Electoral Commission will be given the power to levy £500,000 (€578,000) fines on those who break the new rules on donations. Rushanara Ali, the UK's minister for democracy, said: 'We are modernising our democracy so that it is fit for the 21st century.' She added: 'By reinforcing safeguards against foreign interference, we will strengthen our democratic institutions and protect them for future generations.' The proposal follows concern about the vulnerability of UK politics to donations from overseas, which came to prominence amid reports Elon Musk was considering a major donation to Reform UK. Unincorporated associations have long been another concern of transparency campaigners, who have warned they can obscure the real source of political donations. It also comes as the Electoral Commission reported spending at last year's UK general election hit a record high of £94.5 million (€109m), including £69.3 million (€80m) spent by political parties. Labour outspent its rivals, shelling out £30 million (€34.7m) during the campaign, more than twice the amount it spent in 2019, while the Conservatives spent £23.9 million (€27.7m) and the Liberal Democrats £5.6 million (€6.5m). Reform spent £5.5 million (€6.4m), the Greens £1.7 million (€2m) and the SNP £799,000 (€925,400). Electoral Commission chief executive Vijay Rangarajan welcomed the changes to rules on voter registration and political donations, saying they would 'improve the resilience and integrity of our electoral system'. But the commission also warned that allowing people to use bank cards as voter ID had 'risks for security and voter trust'. Today's plan will see the UK Government bring forward legislation to introduce its new rules, which also include tougher sentences for people who intimidate candidates amid a rise in reports of abuse aimed at those standing for election. Both the Greens and the Liberal Democrats welcomed the decision to lower the voting age to 16. But Lib Dem Cabinet Office spokeswoman Sarah Olney said the reforms to campaign finance rules left 'an Elon Musk-shaped hole in the Government's proposed changes'. She said: 'Ministers must go much further to close the door to foreign oligarchs interfering in British politics – anything less undermines our democracy.'
BBC News
17-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Tommy Gallagher: SDLP politician dies at the age of 82
Tributes have been paid to the former SDLP assembly member Tommy Gallagher who has died at the age of 82.A prominent figure in the early years of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Mr Gallagher, played a significant role as part of the SDLP's negotiating team in the lead-up to the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.A teacher for almost 30 years at St Mary's High School, Brollagh, near Enniskillen, he entered politics in the early 1970s, becoming a founding member of the was first elected as a councillor in 1989 and went on to represent Fermanagh and South Tyrone in the Northern Ireland Assembly between 1998 until his retirement in 2011. 'A constant force for good' The SDLP leader and MP for South Belfast, Claire Hanna, described him as "a towering figure" in Fermanagh and "a constant force for good" in his native Belleek."He leaves behind a lasting legacy not only in politics, but as a teacher, a GAA player and coach and someone who always worked for the betterment of his local community," Hanna said."His loss will be felt far across the political spectrum, such is the esteem he was held in by colleagues from all parties." She said the SDLP stalwart would be warmly remembered for the difference he made to the lives of the young people he taught and those he coached and played alongside over many years."Tommy got involved in the SDLP and politics at a very difficult time and he was rightly proud of the role he played as part of the SDLP team leading up to the Good Friday Agreement. "He did his part to deliver peace on this island and build a better future for our young people."
Irish Daily Mirror
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Daily Mirror
'Migrant boat' bonfire set alight in Tyrone as PSNI probe 'hate incident'
The placing of a controversial effigy of a migrant boat on a bonfire in Co Tyrone is being investigated as a "hate incident" by the PSNI. The towering pyre, which has stirred anger in previous years, was again the centre of fresh outrage after it was decorated with a model of a small boat with several figures inside along with anti-immigration placards. One sign on the structure read "stop the boats" while another declared "veterans before refugees." The PSNI said that they "have received a number of reports regarding the bonfire in Moygashel and the material that has been placed upon it". "Police are investigating this hate incident," a PSNI spokesperson said in a statement. "Police are here to help those who are or who feel vulnerable, to keep people safe. "We do this by working with local communities, partners, elected representatives and other stakeholders to deliver local solutions to local problems, building confidence in policing and supporting a safe environment for people to live, work, visit and invest in Northern Ireland, but we can only do so within the legislative framework that exists." Police have asked anyone with information on the signage to contact them. There has been widespread criticism of the display, with politicians and religious authorities condemning the structure. Claire Hanna, leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), described the effigy as "disgusting". She said: "It would be ludicrous to call it art in any sense. "In terms of life imitating art, not three weeks ago, we had actual human beings being burned out by probably some of the same elements involved in this bonfire in Ballymena, it's a deeply dehumanising provocation." Meanwhile John McDowell, the Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, condemned the effigy as "racist, threatening and offensive". Quoting words from scripture, he added: "'The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as one of your citizens; you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt (Leviticus 19:34).' "These are the words from the Law of God to his people. He is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. If we compare them with the effigy of a boat of migrants which sits, to our humiliation and lasting shame, on top of a bonfire in Moygashel, it exposes that effigy for what it is – racist, threatening and offensive. "It certainly has nothing whatsoever to do with Christianity or with Protestant culture and is in fact inhuman and deeply sub-Christian. "I hope that the many people from other countries, who live in that area, and who contribute so much to the economy and to the diversity of Dungannon, can be reassured that it does not in any way represent the feeling of the vast majority of their neighbours."
