Ian James Parsley
@ianjamesparsley.bsky.social
Husband | Linguist | Hockey umpire | Football fan | Politics nerd | Good government enthusiast | Researcher
I’ve had worse evenings, to be fair.
April 8, 2025 at 9:01 PM
I’ve had worse evenings, to be fair.
Bielefeld are of course due to play Sportfreunde Lotte or SV Rodingshausen in the Westphalian Cup Final the same day as the German Cup Final - a game they must win to be guaranteed participation in next season's German Cup...
Do you think I’ll get away with wearing this to work tomorrow?!
April 2, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Bielefeld are of course due to play Sportfreunde Lotte or SV Rodingshausen in the Westphalian Cup Final the same day as the German Cup Final - a game they must win to be guaranteed participation in next season's German Cup...
Do you think I’ll get away with wearing this to work tomorrow?!
April 1, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Do you think I’ll get away with wearing this to work tomorrow?!
Leaving NI’s goods exports to the EU 60% higher per capita than in the rest of the UK.
I’m at an absolute loss to explain this…
I’m at an absolute loss to explain this…
March 25, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Leaving NI’s goods exports to the EU 60% higher per capita than in the rest of the UK.
I’m at an absolute loss to explain this…
I’m at an absolute loss to explain this…
If I've calculated correctly, this would bring £350m-£400m into the NI capital budget over 6-7 years.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
@niroads.bsky.social
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
@niroads.bsky.social
Lower Thames Crossing plan for Essex and Kent is approved
The 14-mile (22.5km) road will link the A2 and M2 in Kent with the A13 and M25 in Essex.
www.bbc.co.uk
March 25, 2025 at 1:29 PM
If I've calculated correctly, this would bring £350m-£400m into the NI capital budget over 6-7 years.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
@niroads.bsky.social
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
@niroads.bsky.social
March 4, 2025 at 4:50 PM
A brief view on the results of the Federal Election in Germany:
ianjamesparsley.wordpress.com/2025/02/24/g...
#BTW2025
ianjamesparsley.wordpress.com/2025/02/24/g...
#BTW2025
Germany – divisions old and new
The provisional result of the German Federal Election is now known. The CDU-CSU “Union” did indeed emerge in front, albeit on a relatively low overall share of 28.5%; the AfD emerged se…
ianjamesparsley.wordpress.com
February 24, 2025 at 12:32 PM
A brief view on the results of the Federal Election in Germany:
ianjamesparsley.wordpress.com/2025/02/24/g...
#BTW2025
ianjamesparsley.wordpress.com/2025/02/24/g...
#BTW2025
It’s Election Day in #Germany - my brief guide for outsiders, noting that the outcome is *proportional” so maps like the below are of limited value.
ianjamesparsley.wordpress.com/2025/02/18/ger…#BTW202525
ianjamesparsley.wordpress.com/2025/02/18/ger…#BTW202525
February 23, 2025 at 2:03 AM
It’s Election Day in #Germany - my brief guide for outsiders, noting that the outcome is *proportional” so maps like the below are of limited value.
ianjamesparsley.wordpress.com/2025/02/18/ger…#BTW202525
ianjamesparsley.wordpress.com/2025/02/18/ger…#BTW202525
As we approach Sunday, I have updated my post on the forthcoming Federal Election in #Germany - a quick overview of the system, the issues and the parties.
ianjamesparsley.wordpress.com/2025/02/18/g...
#BTW2025
ianjamesparsley.wordpress.com/2025/02/18/g...
#BTW2025
German Federal Election – what to watch for
The next major election worldwide falls this Sunday (23rd) in Germany. At issue, at this crossroads in time, is who will lead Germany (and thus the European Union’s largest economy and member…
ianjamesparsley.wordpress.com
February 19, 2025 at 11:53 PM
As we approach Sunday, I have updated my post on the forthcoming Federal Election in #Germany - a quick overview of the system, the issues and the parties.
ianjamesparsley.wordpress.com/2025/02/18/g...
#BTW2025
ianjamesparsley.wordpress.com/2025/02/18/g...
#BTW2025
It’s election time again… my brief guide to the Federal Election in #Germany this Sunday:
ianjamesparsley.wordpress.com/2025/02/18/g...
ianjamesparsley.wordpress.com/2025/02/18/g...
German Federal Election – what to watch for
The next major election worldwide falls this Sunday (23rd) in Germany. At issue, at this crossroads in time, is who will lead Germany (and thus the European Union’s largest economy and member…
ianjamesparsley.wordpress.com
February 18, 2025 at 6:43 PM
It’s election time again… my brief guide to the Federal Election in #Germany this Sunday:
ianjamesparsley.wordpress.com/2025/02/18/g...
ianjamesparsley.wordpress.com/2025/02/18/g...
It’s Six Nations and Super Bowl weekend, so what is the history of Rugby and Gridiron Football?
Scarily, this piece is a decade old…!
ianjamesparsley.wordpress.com/2015/11/02/h...
Scarily, this piece is a decade old…!
ianjamesparsley.wordpress.com/2015/11/02/h...
History of the different codes of Rugby/Gridiron Football
The Rugby World Cup saw a rise in discussion about the history of the game. Some of this discussion pre-dated 1863-1871, which, as I noted at the time, was somewhat odd as there was no meaningful &…
ianjamesparsley.wordpress.com
February 9, 2025 at 10:26 AM
It’s Six Nations and Super Bowl weekend, so what is the history of Rugby and Gridiron Football?
Scarily, this piece is a decade old…!
ianjamesparsley.wordpress.com/2015/11/02/h...
Scarily, this piece is a decade old…!
ianjamesparsley.wordpress.com/2015/11/02/h...
Reposted by Ian James Parsley
My Private Member’s Bill, as proposed, is all about regulating and enabling flags to be flown respectfully for commemoration or celebration.
This, however, is intimidation and exclusion…
www.irishnews.com/news/norther...
Have your say here:
www.surveymonkey.com/r/emblemsbill
This, however, is intimidation and exclusion…
www.irishnews.com/news/norther...
Have your say here:
www.surveymonkey.com/r/emblemsbill
Union flags erected beside planned housing development and leisure centre an attempt to ‘intimidate’ nationalists
The flags issue is the latest to hit the town of Castlederg after a pre-Christmas row which saw signs being erected warning residents to boycott local businesses
www.irishnews.com
January 23, 2025 at 10:38 AM
My Private Member’s Bill, as proposed, is all about regulating and enabling flags to be flown respectfully for commemoration or celebration.
This, however, is intimidation and exclusion…
www.irishnews.com/news/norther...
Have your say here:
www.surveymonkey.com/r/emblemsbill
This, however, is intimidation and exclusion…
www.irishnews.com/news/norther...
Have your say here:
www.surveymonkey.com/r/emblemsbill
Reposted by Ian James Parsley
The whole point of studying the 1930s is to foster hyper-awareness.
We should be nervous, pessimistic, jumpy. We should call out the first rumblings, the accidental tells, the faintest glimmers.
Because it was so monstrous that even the whiff of it is existential
We should be nervous, pessimistic, jumpy. We should call out the first rumblings, the accidental tells, the faintest glimmers.
Because it was so monstrous that even the whiff of it is existential
January 22, 2025 at 1:14 PM
The whole point of studying the 1930s is to foster hyper-awareness.
We should be nervous, pessimistic, jumpy. We should call out the first rumblings, the accidental tells, the faintest glimmers.
Because it was so monstrous that even the whiff of it is existential
We should be nervous, pessimistic, jumpy. We should call out the first rumblings, the accidental tells, the faintest glimmers.
Because it was so monstrous that even the whiff of it is existential
Missing Person Appeal
Dale Nixon is approx 5’11; large build.
Last seen wearing grey puffer jacket, green track bottoms and blue/yellow trainers.
Anyone who may have sighted Dale, contact PSNI 101 and quote serial “1471 20/01/25” with any information.
www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/norther...
Dale Nixon is approx 5’11; large build.
Last seen wearing grey puffer jacket, green track bottoms and blue/yellow trainers.
Anyone who may have sighted Dale, contact PSNI 101 and quote serial “1471 20/01/25” with any information.
www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/norther...
Urgent appeal to find missing 28-year-old man last seen two days ago
Dale Nixon was last seen in the Knockbracken area on Sunday, January 19
www.belfastlive.co.uk
January 21, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Missing Person Appeal
Dale Nixon is approx 5’11; large build.
Last seen wearing grey puffer jacket, green track bottoms and blue/yellow trainers.
Anyone who may have sighted Dale, contact PSNI 101 and quote serial “1471 20/01/25” with any information.
www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/norther...
Dale Nixon is approx 5’11; large build.
Last seen wearing grey puffer jacket, green track bottoms and blue/yellow trainers.
Anyone who may have sighted Dale, contact PSNI 101 and quote serial “1471 20/01/25” with any information.
www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/norther...
“This is undemocratic and the Secretary of State doesn’t understand us therefore we should collapse our local democratic institutions and hand him more power over us” - like, seriously, how does an educated man come up with such self-evident lunacy?
January 21, 2025 at 9:42 AM
“This is undemocratic and the Secretary of State doesn’t understand us therefore we should collapse our local democratic institutions and hand him more power over us” - like, seriously, how does an educated man come up with such self-evident lunacy?
Reposted by Ian James Parsley
The crisis in the NHS in NI has been flagged for over a decade. Reforms were spelled out long ago. But we have no systematic action. It seems from here that it lies in politics. Without casting stones for clickbait, is that fair? Where does responsibility lie?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Northern Ireland hospital pressures are dire - Michelle O'Neill
Northern Ireland politicians are facing calls to take action over long delays at emergency departments.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 13, 2025 at 6:49 PM
The crisis in the NHS in NI has been flagged for over a decade. Reforms were spelled out long ago. But we have no systematic action. It seems from here that it lies in politics. Without casting stones for clickbait, is that fair? Where does responsibility lie?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Good news... for me, anyway... www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Morning coffee may lower risk of heart disease-related death, research suggests
The study did not say why coffee in the morning reduces the risk and whether it was the sole cause.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 8, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Good news... for me, anyway... www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Ian James Parsley
Actions not words required on racial equality - and we need some urgency from the First and deputy First Minister after the review of the current strategy showed such major deficiencies:
www.allianceparty.org/actions_not_...
www.allianceparty.org/actions_not_...
Actions, not words, required after racial equality review, says Bradshaw
Actions, not words, required after racial equality review, says Bradshaw
www.allianceparty.org
January 3, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Actions not words required on racial equality - and we need some urgency from the First and deputy First Minister after the review of the current strategy showed such major deficiencies:
www.allianceparty.org/actions_not_...
www.allianceparty.org/actions_not_...
Are you going to be “100% faithful” in 2025?
I was interviewed for this Guardian article by Elle Hunt ahead of the new season of #TheTraitorsUK about the psychology of the whole thing.
Wishing 100% of you a Happy New Year!
www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...?
I was interviewed for this Guardian article by Elle Hunt ahead of the new season of #TheTraitorsUK about the psychology of the whole thing.
Wishing 100% of you a Happy New Year!
www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...?
‘I’m 100% faithful!’ What The Traitors tells us about human nature
The hit series is as compelling as it is jaw-dropping. Fuelled by deception, flawed logic and unconscious bias, it’s no wonder it has proved a field day for psychologists
www.theguardian.com
December 31, 2024 at 1:46 PM
Are you going to be “100% faithful” in 2025?
I was interviewed for this Guardian article by Elle Hunt ahead of the new season of #TheTraitorsUK about the psychology of the whole thing.
Wishing 100% of you a Happy New Year!
www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...?
I was interviewed for this Guardian article by Elle Hunt ahead of the new season of #TheTraitorsUK about the psychology of the whole thing.
Wishing 100% of you a Happy New Year!
www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...?
Reposted by Ian James Parsley
Congestion in Belfast - Part 2 - Engineering Solutions: Blog: wesleyjohnston.wordpress.com/2024/12/27/c...
Congestion in Belfast – Part 2 – Engineering Solutions
This is the second of a series exploring the problem of congestion in Belfast, and indeed in cities in general. I currently plan to write five blog posts that explore the following five questions: …
wesleyjohnston.wordpress.com
December 27, 2024 at 7:32 PM
Congestion in Belfast - Part 2 - Engineering Solutions: Blog: wesleyjohnston.wordpress.com/2024/12/27/c...
Perhaps the apt day to share this slide from a presentation I gave in the Scottish Parliament on #Brexit this day seven years ago...
... the very day the DUP rejected the backstop. Oops...
... the very day the DUP rejected the backstop. Oops...
December 10, 2024 at 3:15 PM
Perhaps the apt day to share this slide from a presentation I gave in the Scottish Parliament on #Brexit this day seven years ago...
... the very day the DUP rejected the backstop. Oops...
... the very day the DUP rejected the backstop. Oops...
#Edinburgh is a consistently world class city; every corner and nook is pleasant.
We are astonishingly lucky to have it so close.
We are astonishingly lucky to have it so close.
December 1, 2024 at 4:35 PM
#Edinburgh is a consistently world class city; every corner and nook is pleasant.
We are astonishingly lucky to have it so close.
We are astonishingly lucky to have it so close.
Final first preference in 2024 Dáil election - tallies almost spot on (within 0.1 for all three big parties), but exit polls not so much (well outside margin of error).
1/2
1/2
December 1, 2024 at 12:27 PM
Final first preference in 2024 Dáil election - tallies almost spot on (within 0.1 for all three big parties), but exit polls not so much (well outside margin of error).
1/2
1/2
*Northern Ireland's major roads*
I wrote a pamphlet over Covid on the post-War history of NI's major roads - plans, motorways, dual carriageways and expressways. I argued they fall into three separate policy periods.
I reproduced it from here: ianjamesparsley.wordpress.com/2024/10/31/n...
1/5
I wrote a pamphlet over Covid on the post-War history of NI's major roads - plans, motorways, dual carriageways and expressways. I argued they fall into three separate policy periods.
I reproduced it from here: ianjamesparsley.wordpress.com/2024/10/31/n...
1/5
History of NI Roads – Plans
I wrote a pamphlet over the Covid period about the history of major roads in Northern Ireland – both the plans and actuality – after World War Two. It is interesting of course for road …
ianjamesparsley.wordpress.com
November 28, 2024 at 11:17 AM
*Northern Ireland's major roads*
I wrote a pamphlet over Covid on the post-War history of NI's major roads - plans, motorways, dual carriageways and expressways. I argued they fall into three separate policy periods.
I reproduced it from here: ianjamesparsley.wordpress.com/2024/10/31/n...
1/5
I wrote a pamphlet over Covid on the post-War history of NI's major roads - plans, motorways, dual carriageways and expressways. I argued they fall into three separate policy periods.
I reproduced it from here: ianjamesparsley.wordpress.com/2024/10/31/n...
1/5