David Ford
@david-ford.bsky.social
Was: Alliance Councillor, Antrim 1993-2010; MLA, South Antrim 1998-2018; Party Leader, 2001-16; Minister of Justice for NI 2010-2016, President, Alliance Party 2019-2022.
Now: grandfather, p/t farmer, Alliance footsoldier, Rathlin CIC, Jubilee Farm, NFFN.
Now: grandfather, p/t farmer, Alliance footsoldier, Rathlin CIC, Jubilee Farm, NFFN.
Discussion on National Parks. Thought you might have a different view from the two on the programme.
November 6, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Discussion on National Parks. Thought you might have a different view from the two on the programme.
My mother lost her brother on (ironically) 11 November 1940, but never felt the need to wear a poppy from late October.
I've been criticised by a Unionist MLA because I followed her example.
I've been criticised by a Unionist MLA because I followed her example.
November 6, 2025 at 8:20 AM
My mother lost her brother on (ironically) 11 November 1940, but never felt the need to wear a poppy from late October.
I've been criticised by a Unionist MLA because I followed her example.
I've been criticised by a Unionist MLA because I followed her example.
Interesting reference in the article to long distances and the islands justifying a next day count.
I remember hearing the overnight declaration of Ross, Skye and Lochaber in 1992 at least 2 hours before any of the 4 urban Belfast constituencies. (I was in City Hall.)
I remember hearing the overnight declaration of Ross, Skye and Lochaber in 1992 at least 2 hours before any of the 4 urban Belfast constituencies. (I was in City Hall.)
November 4, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Interesting reference in the article to long distances and the islands justifying a next day count.
I remember hearing the overnight declaration of Ross, Skye and Lochaber in 1992 at least 2 hours before any of the 4 urban Belfast constituencies. (I was in City Hall.)
I remember hearing the overnight declaration of Ross, Skye and Lochaber in 1992 at least 2 hours before any of the 4 urban Belfast constituencies. (I was in City Hall.)
Netherlands twinned with Kent?
October 29, 2025 at 11:04 PM
Netherlands twinned with Kent?
2 of 5 DUP and single TUV voted with Farage.
Alliance, UUP and 1 of 2 SDLP voted against.
Alliance, UUP and 1 of 2 SDLP voted against.
October 29, 2025 at 11:01 PM
2 of 5 DUP and single TUV voted with Farage.
Alliance, UUP and 1 of 2 SDLP voted against.
Alliance, UUP and 1 of 2 SDLP voted against.
Don't forget @allianceparty.bsky.social SDLP ... and UUP.
October 29, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Don't forget @allianceparty.bsky.social SDLP ... and UUP.
But in addition to the 15 MPs in the shuffle, all party leaders* know in advance when they will get in on a supplementary (assuming that they bother to turn up^).
* not just 2 biggest, even parties with 1 or 2 MPs get in occasionally.
^ most do.
* not just 2 biggest, even parties with 1 or 2 MPs get in occasionally.
^ most do.
October 27, 2025 at 10:27 PM
But in addition to the 15 MPs in the shuffle, all party leaders* know in advance when they will get in on a supplementary (assuming that they bother to turn up^).
* not just 2 biggest, even parties with 1 or 2 MPs get in occasionally.
^ most do.
* not just 2 biggest, even parties with 1 or 2 MPs get in occasionally.
^ most do.
And last year, Hydebank Wood got 4 4s on inspection. The highest possible grading and best in UK (or E, W and NI).
October 27, 2025 at 5:05 PM
And last year, Hydebank Wood got 4 4s on inspection. The highest possible grading and best in UK (or E, W and NI).
6b in partnership between @justice-ni.bsky.social and former Dept of Employment and Learning, then led by @stephenfarry.bsky.social.
All despite Maghaberry being the most complex prison in the UK - all remand prisoners, all high security, 2 sets politically motivated, sex offenders, ...
All despite Maghaberry being the most complex prison in the UK - all remand prisoners, all high security, 2 sets politically motivated, sex offenders, ...
October 27, 2025 at 5:04 PM
6b in partnership between @justice-ni.bsky.social and former Dept of Employment and Learning, then led by @stephenfarry.bsky.social.
All despite Maghaberry being the most complex prison in the UK - all remand prisoners, all high security, 2 sets politically motivated, sex offenders, ...
All despite Maghaberry being the most complex prison in the UK - all remand prisoners, all high security, 2 sets politically motivated, sex offenders, ...
4 Good work in community by Youth Justice and Probation, reducing pressure on prisons (though current inmate numbers are very high).
5 Focus on rehabilitation, with multiple partners.
6 Transformation of Hydebank Wood Women's Prison and YOC to Hydebank Wood College.
5 Focus on rehabilitation, with multiple partners.
6 Transformation of Hydebank Wood Women's Prison and YOC to Hydebank Wood College.
October 27, 2025 at 5:00 PM
4 Good work in community by Youth Justice and Probation, reducing pressure on prisons (though current inmate numbers are very high).
5 Focus on rehabilitation, with multiple partners.
6 Transformation of Hydebank Wood Women's Prison and YOC to Hydebank Wood College.
5 Focus on rehabilitation, with multiple partners.
6 Transformation of Hydebank Wood Women's Prison and YOC to Hydebank Wood College.
There's probably something in my ex-Minister interview with @jillongovt.bsky.social. Key points -
1 Huge issues left by NIO that had to be addressed on devolution of Justice in 2010.
2 Comprehensive report on reforms by broad based team led by Dame Ann Owers.
3 Huge effort by NIPS to implement.
1 Huge issues left by NIO that had to be addressed on devolution of Justice in 2010.
2 Comprehensive report on reforms by broad based team led by Dame Ann Owers.
3 Huge effort by NIPS to implement.
October 27, 2025 at 4:57 PM
There's probably something in my ex-Minister interview with @jillongovt.bsky.social. Key points -
1 Huge issues left by NIO that had to be addressed on devolution of Justice in 2010.
2 Comprehensive report on reforms by broad based team led by Dame Ann Owers.
3 Huge effort by NIPS to implement.
1 Huge issues left by NIO that had to be addressed on devolution of Justice in 2010.
2 Comprehensive report on reforms by broad based team led by Dame Ann Owers.
3 Huge effort by NIPS to implement.
<declares interest>
I think there's enough info in reports on individual institutions from HMI to illustrate significant progress has been made in NI since 2010 which has not been matched in E&W.
I think there's enough info in reports on individual institutions from HMI to illustrate significant progress has been made in NI since 2010 which has not been matched in E&W.
October 27, 2025 at 12:23 PM
<declares interest>
I think there's enough info in reports on individual institutions from HMI to illustrate significant progress has been made in NI since 2010 which has not been matched in E&W.
I think there's enough info in reports on individual institutions from HMI to illustrate significant progress has been made in NI since 2010 which has not been matched in E&W.