Clare Rice (@clarerice.bsky.social)

I won't be active on this account for the foreseeable - hopefully the daily decline of this site will be reversed at some point, but it's difficult to see how at this stage So, goodbye Twitter/X; it's been fun 👋 See you all where the sky is blue...

First outing for the new 'University of Edinburgh' addition to my name strap this evening 📺 Catch this week's View from Stormont tonight at 10.50pm on UTV Discussions on the PfG, legacy, childcare, and British-Irish relations @EdinburghPIR ⬇️

NEW statement from the @SDLPlive: SDLP Opposition to launch ‘Plan for Change’ as detail awaited on Executive plans   The SDLP Opposition will (today) launch an ambitious ‘Plan for Change’, setting out a vision and priorities for the remainder of the mandate – while challenging the Executive to set clear targets and ambitions rather than vague aspirations.   The SDLP Plan for Change will set out clear targets for 2030, but with legislative and administrative actions which an Executive could implement by the end of the current mandate in 2027.   With five key themes, the SDLP plan articulates clear actions and targets for the coming years, including:   •To Rescue Public Services, a costed wait list strategy including with a clear implementation timeline, a childcare strategy including aiming to dramatically reduce costs by 2030 and other interventions;   •To Transform Our Democracy, a covenant from Executive parties not to collapse Stormont for the remainder of this term and new legal powers for the Fiscal Council to report on Executive performance;   •To Unlock Economic Potential, a Regional Jobs, Skills and Investment Bill to rebalance our economy, a clear strategy to maximise the benefit of dual market-access and a commitment to extend the Wild Atlantic Way and Ancient East tourism brands;   •To Restore Our Environment, a long-awaited independent Environmental Protection Agency and a Nature Restoration Bill with binding targets to halt biodiversity loss;   •To End Division, a robust and standalone Hate Crime Bill that properly tackles the scourge of race hate and intolerance, a legal framework for flag flying and fit-for-purpose Refugee Integration and Racial Equality Strategies.   The above list represents a small sample of suggested actions from the SDLP’s Plan for Change.   Leader of the Opposition Matthew O’Toole MLA @MatthewOToole2 said:   “Since entering Opposition, the SDLP has consistently sought to be constructive. Today we are publishing our proposed Plan for Change, which has clear actions to improve people’s lives by the end of this Assembly mandate. We know the Executive is about to launch its own full Programme for Government and we think they should be as clear and specific as possible about their targets and plans.   “So far, they have simply given us a list of gauzy, aspirational priorities. The public deserves more than that – they deserve specific actions that will deliver measurable targets. People don’t need hundreds of pages of waffle, they need clear plans and then action.   “Our plan sets out actions that are practical but ambitious. We are clear what we would do, now the Executive needs to be clear on what it will do. Simply being in office and staging photo opportunities isn’t enough.”

Joined @BBCRadioWales this morning to discuss Northern Ireland's Programme for Government - always great to see wider UK interest in what's happening here 📻 Further details on the agreed PfG will be shared later today (bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…)

Stephen Farry has resigned as deputy leader of the Alliance Party. The former Stormont executive minister and North Down MP, who lost his seat in July's general election, had been deputy leader since 2016. @allianceparty statement 👇

Today also marks the end of my maternity leave - the quickest year of my life, I have loved every precious moment of this time with my wee man 👶 A big day and a new chapter for us all

Good morning from Edinburgh 👋 Excited to officially be joining @EdinburghPIR @uoessps @EdinburghUni today as a Research Fellow!

For anyone else moving away from this place to the newest other place: ➡️ clarerice.bsky.social

From the 'Beattie Bounce' back in 2021 to resignation today on the basis of "irreconcilable differences" - and a very rocky road in the interim. Yet it is news that few saw coming, today at least: bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

If you are an opinionated feminist with something to say, we want to help you get heard! #BoldWomenBlogging is a space where NI Feminists can voice their views. We are keen to publish submissions from the feminist public so get in touch! buff.ly/3ScAEPy

In light of @KamalaHarris's historic presidential bid 🇺🇸, @PoliticsGenderJ is ungating✨three✨of our virtual special issue collections! Collection #3 on Women, Gender, & 🇺🇸 Presidential Elections cambridge.org/core/journals/… Articles are open access until the end of Sept 2024 📰

🚨 New election research 🚨 We've just published our full results and analysis of the 2024 general election. Explore candidate and constituency-level vote data, maps, vote shares and marginality, characteristics of elected MPs, and more: commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-brief…

Through a glass lightly. Taoiseach ⁦@SimonHarrisTD⁩ is the first guest of ⁦@Keir_Starmer⁩ at Chequers and they enjoy a pint together in the garden before dinner.

Me, turning on CBeebies and seeing Mr. Tumble is in Belfast:

NEW: #KingsSpeech state opening of UK parliament… “In consultation with all parties measures will be brought forward to begin the process of repealing and replacing the Northern Ireland Troubles Legacy & Reconciliation Act 2023” #legacyact #ni

Breaking mews: Here is Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle's newest family member Clem. Clem joins “head mouser" Attlee in the Speaker's House. Photos provided by the House of Commons via here: parliament.assetbank-server.com/assetbank-parl…

How will the next First Minister of Wales be chosen by the Senedd and then appointed by the King? This updated @commonslibrary Insight blog explains all: commonslibrary.parliament.uk/how-is-a-welsh…

More @CCC_Research anslysis on the 2024 general election across the UK nations, this time with a blog by @Clare_Rice_ reflecting on the results and their implications in Northern Ireland 👇

TUV leader @JimAllister says he will take the Reform UK whip at Westminster on the "agreed issues" which formed their memorandum of understanding. "I will continue to be the TUV MP and leader in the House of Commons, and so the two will work in tandem." @BBCNewsNI @TUVonline