Forget logic and arguments; government ministers are trying their best to push Northern Ireland's new national stadium out to the Maze.
[Image: Patrick McAleer]

The DUP members of the executive have gone into overdrive trying to bully the populace of Northern Ireland into an unsuitable out-of-town stadium this week, just as a report (the first piece of independent work on this issue that was based on hard evidence) is released and advises them to locate it in a city-centre.

The University of Ulster report was carried out by experts in the fields of the built environment, economics and marketing, who were supported by a network of expert advisers from across the university. Of course, being based on hard evidence meant that it concluded that the stadium (like the proposals for Belfast, but not the Maze) be located in-town and seat 20,000-30,000 spectators. As a result, Councillor Bob Stoker called on the government to "stop wasting tax-payers' money" and work towards "a solution that will boost the Northern Ireland economy rather than be a constant drain." He also warned the government that "possible locations across the city need to be properly considered and not dismissed for reasons of political expediency."

But that won't stop Ian Paisley, Edwin Poots and friends from trying to ignore it. No, in fact, that's exactly why they're huffing and puffing, creating artificial deadlines and citing preposterous objections. Paisley, Poots and co. are trying to bury the report which, I repeat, is the first significant independent research undertaken into the issue of the stadium location. It's an age-old tactic of the "No" men – just shout louder than the other side and it doesn't matter if they're talking sense or not because, if you're lucky, nobody will hear them.

Thankfully not everyone in the DUP is being fooled. Today Nigel Dodds has come out warning that Unionists will not accept the terrorist shrine that is part and parcel of the Maze plans, and which has been downplayed and or ignored by Poots and Paisley. With questions arising about whether Ian Paisley will seek re-election he must ask himself if he wants his legacy as First Minister to be a shrine glorifying murderers.

These recent actions by the DUP leadership constitutes proof, were it needed, that the DUP can't govern. They are an opposition party and opposing things is all they're good at - when it comes to making decisions they can't help but fuck things up. It's becoming clearer and clearer that it's not just Sinn Fein who are unfit for government.

More on this story a StadiumForBelfast.com - DUP to Railroad NI to the Maze