A very good PPB. This one was all about message – ie. it wasn’t vanity broadcasting to show off the Assembly Group or candidates. It kept away from focusing inwards… this PPB says we’re focused on what’s happened / happening in Northern Ireland.
Also, Robinson faced questions about his leadership on Hearts and Minds: has this past year left you a weakened man? He was thoughtful in his answer to Noel Thompson, but this PPB also supplies a portion of that response too as it’s led solely by Robinson.
I feel that this PPB is showing where Unionism is going generally. The script could have been penned by a UUP guy – and I’m quite sure all the UUP voters who saw this last night will be very contented with what they saw. But it now means that the DUP and UUP and breaking one of the fundamental laws of physics ie. – that two objects cannot occupy the same. Someone is going to have to yield.
This was a PPB for centrist unionists everywhere, as opposed to the usual DUP flag-waving. There is a maturity and sophistication about the message and the production which means the bar is now set very high for the UUP’s package next week.
bobballs
Filed under: DUP, PPB / PEB, unionist unity?
Open Unionism 
I expect the UUP broadcast to feature Tom Elliott , draped in his sash, riding around a field on the back of a bullock.
Reading between the lines. The point about the focus on Belfast and ‘urban’ is spot on. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bySrWiRQF_g&feature=player_embedded
Impressive PPB. Really builds on a positive sense of moving forward together despite the economic difficulties.
Fair play to the DUP. They are unashamed of power sharing, and make no bones about it.
Their message seems all about the future of Northern Ireland (i.e. the need for integrated education and a non-sectarian future) and while I wish it would be otherwise, Tom Elliott’s UUP just isn’t there yet.
Tom’s UUP seems to be trying to come across as more hardline than the DUP these days which is a real pity.
The UUP should at least be trying to contest the unionist centre-ground not giving it up wholesale to the DUP.
The election next spring will be very interesting. It’s quite possible the DUP and Alliance will happily carve up the old solid, Middle Ulster vote between them 2:1 – leaving Elliott’s UUP with a few ultra-hardline scraps.