Forum Topic

Fleur Anderson has lost her job in the Northern Ireland office

It seems to have happened today:Keir Starmer sacks one of his Northern Ireland ministers amid reshuffle; Fleur Anderson, who was liked by the Republic’s officials, is sackedhttps://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2025/09/07/keir-starmer-shakes-up-ministerial-team-in-northern-ireland-office/

Richard Carter ● 74d24 Comments

I agree, the podcast on Henry Wilson's assassination was fascinating and, as far as I am concerned, not given the prominence it so obviously deserves. It was no coincidence that a week after his death, the Civil War started.I must read the book by Ronan McGreevy, it sounds excellent.As far as Fleur's clumsy response to the awkward question about unification, she should have taken Fr. Ted's advice on dodging tricky questions; 'That would be an ecumenical matter!'

Gerry Boyce ● 63d

I would thoroughly recommend the recent Rest is History podcasts on the Irish War of Independence and partition. It was a subject I knew virtually nothing about so it was all very enlightening. I was prompted to read Great Hatred by Ronan McGreevey about the assassination of Sir Henry Wilson which now ranks as on of the best non-fiction books I have ever read. Speaking to friends of mine from the north of Ireland from both traditions, there seems to an acceptance that both demographic trends and the relative economic strength of the Republic will result in unity one day but it is best not to talk about it to avoid winding up the diminishing number of hard core unionists. That is probably the mistake that Fleur made.

Barry Elms ● 63d

Thank you for that. That looks like a lot of listening. Perhaps a bit of dipping. The Rest is History looks more manageable. Though I like Dalrymple.

David Ainsworth ● 73d

It would take more than a few pints, a bottle of whiskey or two, to even begin to get to grips with the history of the North.In lieu of the above, I can recommend two excellent podcasts; The Rest is History & Empire. Both have done really decent series on the history of the North, going from the plantation and Cromwell up to the Peace Agreement! If that all sounds like a daunting mouthful, which it is, the good news is that it is broken up into self contained episodes or mini-series.The history of partition leading to the Civil War and the killing of Michael Collins is particularly good. It’s a fascinating history, and certainly will help clear up why Fleur was a bit naive there.

Gerry Boyce ● 74d

"I think technically it could be described as an awful feckin’ eejit!"Fine, but please show me.

David Ainsworth ● 74d

Haha! I thought AI was supposed to be intelligent, not a blithering, bumbling moron delivering highly contestable statements on the history of partition etc. I think technically it could be described as an awful feckin’ eejit!Colm Sands , a folk singer from Derry has some very useful advice for people in the North, which could have been handy for Fleur, ‘whatever you say, say nothing’.

Gerry Boyce ● 74d

"'It would be based on opinion polls'....Jaysus wept!!"I don't think that the final decision would be based on opinion polls, but that they would be a good pointer to current feelings and whether there was a desire to change at all. But yes a minefield. And not enough real local knowledge, I guess.AI:-"the initial partition of Ireland in 1921 was not intended to be permanent; it was conceived as a temporary solution to the political unrest and violence in the country. The partition was established under the Government of Ireland Act of 1920, which split the island into Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland, with the hope that a reunited Ireland would eventually be possible. However, due to the subsequent Irish Civil War and the consolidation of power by Unionists in the north, the partition became a de facto permanent arrangement."

David Ainsworth ● 74d

Ouch! That is painful to read. She was well out of her depth there.You can't just blunder in to the North spouting out stuff that springs to mind and seems reasonable elsewhere; there are huge sensitivities there that require a very nuanced style of communication. Also, the British and Irish Governments have a say too.'It would be based on opinion polls'....Jaysus wept!!

Gerry Boyce ● 74d

April, 2025.She did back democracy."When asked if – like the NIO’s previous occupants Chris Heaton-Harris and Steve Baker – she is a unionist, Anderson is ambivalent, initially saying: “I am not sure if I am,” before adding: “I do not think I would be. I am not one community or another. I am not one side or another.”However, when asked if she favours Northern Ireland remaining part of the United Kingdom, she says: “Yes, I think the union is a strong way of supporting everyone across the United Kingdom.”Despite this, when asked if she would campaign in favour of maintaining the union in the event of a border poll taking place, she says: “That is up to the people of Northern Ireland. We want to support all communities. If it ever came to a vote, we would support the democratic process.”One new development, however, comes in response to a question on the criteria required for the Secretary of State to call a border poll. While previous secretaries of state have refused to outline what exactly would be required to meet the NIO’s criteria, Anderson says: “It would be based on opinion polls.”"https://www.agendani.com/fleur-anderson-mp-calling-border-poll-would-be-based-on-opinion-polls/

David Ainsworth ● 74d

Oh! That was a bit clumsy for a British MP to say, particularly a North of Ireland secretary. I’m surprised that she said that and it’s the first I’ve heard of it. I am beginning to see why she might have been removed.

Gerry Boyce ● 74d

"Based on the 2021 census, Catholics now outnumber Protestants in Northern Ireland for the first time. However, neither group holds an overall majority of the population. Key findings from the 2021 census: Catholic background: 45.7% of the population were either Catholic or raised Catholic.Protestant background: 43.5% were either Protestant or raised Protestant.No religion/other: The remaining percentage of the population belonged to other religions or had no religious affiliation. This "no religion" group is a growing demographic."Bit early to decide.

David Ainsworth ● 74d

"NIO minister who said vote on united Ireland should be based ‘on opinion poll’ replaced by StarmerThe Northern Ireland Office minister who suggested a vote on Irish unity could be “based on opinion polls” has been kicked out of government."https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/nio-minister-who-said-vote-on-united-ireland-should-be-based-on-opinion-poll-replaced-by-starmer/a14542113.html

Ed Robinson ● 74d

Has anyone heard if Hilary Benn has had anything to say about Fleur? I haven't heard a peep, which seems a bit odd. I would have expected some acknowledgement of effort and service; maybe I have missed it.

Gerry Boyce ● 74d

Who cares what he swore his parliamentary oath on and why do they need to state his religion.  Clearly Fleur was felt not up to the job by the others in cabinet.Tough game politics.

Robert Wheeler ● 74d

"Can't immediately see what he might bring to the North of Ireland. A bit of a mystery."I'm sorry I haven't a clue.

David Ainsworth ● 74d

Mr Carter"Matthew Patrick, who was elected as Labour MP for Wirral West in July 2024, takes over the Northern Ireland brief. The 34-year-old previously worked in financial regulation and served as a Wirral councillor from 2013 to 2018. Patrick, who is Jewish and swore his parliamentary oath on the Torah, was most recently serving as a Parliamentary Private Secretary in the departments for Culture, Media and Sport and Science, Innovation and Technology."That's it.Another success for the secret Jewish lobby.

John Hawkes ● 74d

Mr Robinson'a Labour or Anderson supporter'I am neither and am particularly surprised as from what I read Eire is very pro-Palestinian (both having suffered from colonial oppression !) and anti-Israel.Perhaps she is a friend of Ange.

John Hawkes ● 74d

Wow! Don't know what to make of that. I've never heard of him and have no idea why he was picked to take over from Fleur. Can't immediately see what he might bring to the North of Ireland. A bit of a mystery.

Gerry Boyce ● 74d

This is reported on Putney News:"Matthew Patrick, who was elected as Labour MP for Wirral West in July 2024, takes over the Northern Ireland brief. The 34-year-old previously worked in financial regulation and served as a Wirral councillor from 2013 to 2018. Patrick, who is Jewish and swore his parliamentary oath on the Torah, was most recently serving as a Parliamentary Private Secretary in the departments for Culture, Media and Sport and Science, Innovation and Technology."And no, I've never heard of him either.

Richard Carter ● 74d

I am surprised too, I can't imagine why she would have been sacked, unless of course, it was to make way for, or reward, someone else. I've no idea who might take over as Under Secretary of Northern Ireland, but maybe it has more to do with it.

Gerry Boyce ● 74d

Yes, I saw a copy of her letter to Starmer on FB last night.  I am really puzzled as to why she was sacked.  Does anyone know the reason why?It is not a question of liking her or not, but it appears that she was very accepted in Northern Ireland.  Really puzzling.

Ivonne Holliday ● 74d

"actual perfect foreign"Not giving political support, arms and intelligence and perhaps more to extreme  regimes that stave populations and target utilities such as water and electricity which will mean the most vulnerable will certainly die I consider basic not perfection.Although I understand that that some misguided people may think "they have that right" international laws would suggest otherwise.Call me choosey but I will not be voting or supporting governments be it Blair or any other that are implicit in war crimes.

Ed Robinson ● 74d

No idea, but do you have an example of an actual perfect foreign policy which you could support (or could have supported)?

David Ainsworth ● 74d

Personally I do not understand how anyone could be part of a government with their past/current foreign policy?Perhaps a Labour or Anderson supporter would like to explain?

Ed Robinson ● 74d