Now, in an unprecedented move the TUV vice-chaiman has publicly apologised for the insult:
The TUV's own website calls the apology a 'correction' in its title, however, and goes on to say:"Traditional Unionist Voice has apologised for its "childishness" after issuing a statement describing Irish as a "leprechaun language".
The statement was issued under the name of TUV vice-chairman Keith Harbinson and condemned the Department of Education for "wasting" money on Irish.
However after being distributed to the media, the press release on the party's website was changed to remove the term.
A spokesman told the BBC the original words were a "childish mistake"."
"TUV would like to clarify that a statement mounted on the party’s website included the wrong headline. This was not the headline agreed with the author of the statement.
TUV apologies for any offence caused."
Apparently, the 'leprechaun' term "had been added to the press release by an employee of the party". That narrows things down quite a bit, as the TUV party staff could probably fit in a Smart car – especially if close personal relatives of Allister himself are excluded.
This blog wondered why the title had been changed so quickly, from 'TUV Blast Leprechaun Language Waste' to 'TUV Blast Irish Language Waste'. One of the possible reasons was 'guilt at being nasty' – and perhaps that was it.
But perhaps also the TUV has realised that playground insults will only get you a certain distance in politics, and they wants to go further.
Could this be the first indication that the TUV is going to try to position itself as a serious grown-up party, rather than just a reactionary thorn in the DUP's side?
16 comments:
It is the vice-chairman - not the leader - who apologised.
picador,
You're right, of course. I was distracted by the picture of JA on the BBC article. I'll amend the story (wouldn't want JA getting the credit, would we! ;-))
Horseman asks 'Could this be the first indication that the TUV is going to try to position itself as a serious grown-up party'.
I can't help feeling your tongue is clearly well in your cheek when you pose that question.
Even someone with the innate bonhomie, good nature and generosity of Harbinson would realise that being directly and personally associated with such offence is an unnecessary burning of boats for very little return. Or, you never know, perhaps he has realised that some knowledge of Irish will do no harm in the new state. If he has children in the future then they will be learning it.
"The new state" - is that the one you keep seeing after dropping an acid tab NTNA?
Re acid state and Mr. Anonymous.
Because you might have a great desire to remain in the UK doesn't of itself guarantee that you will. Try going to Britain, you'll find they'll just label you as Irish and ask where in Ireland you're from.
Do you think they like paying all those billions every year to support a failed state whose previous government was so reactionary that they had to suspend it?
Do you think that Britain never abandons it's colonies? If so, then take the bag off your head and read a history book. When you've done that then brush the tears out of your eyes and open them wide. We're all growing out of the offshoot of Judaism we called Christianity. You have as much right to be a citizen of a new Ireland as any Catholic does. Take your mouth of Britain's frozen sour hind tit and join your countrymen in a free Ireland.
I'm afraid you can't afford me ducky. Or my papist neighbours either - billions didn't you say?
If you think, Mr.Unionist, that the taxpayer in London is going to keep you in the style to which you became accustomed indefinitely then you have another think coming.
As for your "papist neighbours" whom you so despise I suggest you get out a bit more. I think you'll find Irish pubs in every city of consequence on earth. Your neighbours are considered congenial by most people on earth and it's only your neurotic insecurity and paranoia that blinds you. You can pay for this yourself. Culturally your version of so-called Britishness is dried up, outdated and pathetic, and no self-respecting British people would want anything to do with it.
You are NOT British and the louder you protest the more convincing you are of the truth of that proposition. You have been indulged for cynical political reasons and this will not continue indefinitely.
M25
I see no point in spending money on the Irish language. It should just be accepted that the island of Ireland is an English-speaking place. I see no advantage to young people in a globalizing world of speaking Irish. Irish identity does not hinge on language.
Anonymous said:
"If you think, Mr.Unionist, that the taxpayer in London is going to keep you in the style to which you became accustomed indefinitely then you have another think coming.
As for your "papist neighbours" whom you so despise I suggest you get out a bit more. I think you'll find Irish pubs in every city of consequence on earth. Your neighbours are considered congenial by most people on earth and it's only your neurotic insecurity and paranoia that blinds you. You can pay for this yourself. Culturally your version of so-called Britishness is dried up, outdated and pathetic, and no self-respecting British people would want anything to do with it.
You are NOT British and the louder you protest the more convincing you are of the truth of that proposition. You have been indulged for cynical political reasons and this will not continue indefinitely.
M25"
Fuck off you plastic paddy, or where you just shat out by one?
"I see no point in spending money on the Irish language. It should just be accepted that the island of Ireland is an English-speaking place. I see no advantage to young people in a globalizing world of speaking Irish. Irish identity does not hinge on language."
So what does it hinge on then?
Nothing really. The Irish enjoy a very similar lifestyle to those in The UK.
> the Irish enjoy a very similar lifestyle to those in the UK
Actually, they have a better lifestyle. This blog has cited numerous example of surveys that document this.
Furthermore, notwithstanding the problems in the public finances of both countries at the moment, the gap has been growing steadily.
In the past some almost coercive measures were used to try to preserve the Irish language, which the British had almost succeeded in eradicating via economic discrimination. These were widely disliked and have been dropped in favour of positive incentives.
When Ireland is reunited it would be desirable to see these removed or selectively applied so they would never constitute discrimination against people who consider themselves culturally British.
The Irish do not need to have the tryanny of the majority explained to them.
Just coming back to the thrust of this post the TUV's dropping of its guard is as revealing to me as Nick Griffin's attempt to wear moderate political clothes. When he came onto BBC's 'Question Time' it was plain to see that he would never be able to wear them properly.
Just as race hatred in England is diminishing, you will find that sectarian hatred in Northern Irleand is on a downward trend. The BNP and the TUV dont have anything to offer reasonable decent people. The BNP will probably survive because it is a "back alley" party but the TUV, like the DUP still presently attracts a substantial section of apparently respectable but deluded people.
You can not stop the evolution of improved thinking in society. It will eventually hit every decent household in Northern Ireland and parties like the TUV and the DUP, which actually depend on sectarianism, will become extinct.
Jimbo opened his speech yesterday with an attack on UCUNF. Which can only be good news for the Tories. He and the Prodiban must be worried about the middle class Protestant vote going to UCUNF.
Freddie Paris:
"Just coming back to the thrust of this post the TUV's dropping of its guard is as revealing to me as Nick Griffin's attempt to wear moderate political clothes. When he came onto BBC's 'Question Time' it was plain to see that he would never be able to wear them properly.
Just as race hatred in England is diminishing, you will find that sectarian hatred in Northern Irleand is on a downward trend. The BNP and the TUV dont have anything to offer reasonable decent people. The BNP will probably survive because it is a "back alley" party but the TUV, like the DUP still presently attracts a substantial section of apparently respectable but deluded people.
You can not stop the evolution of improved thinking in society. It will eventually hit every decent household in Northern Ireland and parties like the TUV and the DUP, which actually depend on sectarianism, will become extinct."
Does that apply to Sinn Fein as well?
Incredible ! Coming from Andy.
Andy. If you disagree, let me know and I'll provide the quotes.
Dare ya
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