Jim, Mike and Fearghal
The DUP's Strangford selection meeting sets up an intriguing contrast in styles between the candidates for the two main unionist parties, each vying to step into Iris Robinson's designer shoes.
In the Conservative and Unionist corner we have Mike Nesbitt, the smooth candidate, whilst the DUP now have Jim Shannon, with his rougher rural edge. Jim was on the airwaves this morning emphasising that whilst Mike might be good on the air, he will be good on the ground - delivering for the farmers and fishers, telling people how to fill out their DLA forms and so on. Essentially, the canny local politician is pointing to his track record over decades. But UCUNF may counter by saying that a lot of that stuff is well and truly devolved, and this is a battle for Westminster.
It made me wonder whether we should have a version of the old medieval combat, in which knights are tested on a variety of competencies, such as "trial by fire" or "trial by ice". Mike could be expected to excel at a Hearts and Minds debate, or maybe a US style "Town Hall meeting" where he roves around speaking (al la David Cameron) without notes. But to add balance, huntin' and shootin' Jim should be given a round of "field sports" and both candidates should be required to skin a rabbit against the clock.
Somewhere in the mix we have to throw in a bit of Ulster Scots, and the contest could culminate with a round of ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ 1's "Total Wipeout" (this is not relevant to either devolved or reserved matters but would appeal to the kids).
But seriously folks, whilst most people may welcome an influx of new talent into politics here (now the troubles are hopefully receding into the past) are we in danger of adding an echelon of hacks and PR operatives to the layer of lawyers we already have telling us what to do?
Anyone listening to my old Stormont press pack colleague Fearghal McKinney on the radio yesterday will be in little doubt that he can "talk the talk". But only the next few months and years will establish whether he and Mike Nesbitt can "walk the walk".
Where are the entrepreneurs, engineers and scientists in the rush to elected office? The answer is probably that they are concentrating on making money or doing their best to survive the downturn.
The Finance Minister Sammy Wilson is due to make a speech later today in Dundalk stressing the need for the Executive to refocus on the economy. As a hack, I can get up on my feet and talk vaguely convincingly about the need to "grow the private sector", to create "high value jobs", and to promote "innovation". But ask me to invent something or to turn around a struggling firm and I would almost certainly founder. Hopefully the new generation of local politicians will be more multi-skilled than me.
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