Almost a "Kinnock" moment
I'm just back from the Europa hotel where our seven Euro candidates debated economic matters at the invitation of a group of local business groups. There were differences over red tape and regulation, with some calling for a "regulation holiday" whilst others pointed out that businesses needed to act in an ethical and sustainable manner. I didn't think anyone dealt any knock out blows, nor did anyone particularly embarrass themselves.
Earlier we had a couple of breakfast events, with the DUP using their one to launch a document proposing various efficiency measures including the "streamlining" of the OFMDFM, the merger of the Equality, Human Rights and Children's Commissions, fewer departments and MLAs and a phasing out of "double jobbing".
But under our system it takes two to tango and Martin McGuinness has already branded the DUP paper "shallow electioneering".
Whilst there was a promise that some MPs would step down from the Assembly at the next election we didn't get any names. However one insider I spoke to speculated about Ian Paisley Senior (expected to retire altogether), William McCrea, David Simpson, Iris Robinson and Sammy Wilson. That wasn't a leak - just a bit of inside gossip. We shall have to wait to see what transpires.
And on the topic of "shallow electioneering", as Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Newsline viewers will have seen, Martin McGuinness was saved from a near "Kinnock" moment during an election photocall. The DFM lost his balance whilst posing on rocks in the waterfall in North Belfast's Waterworks. Gerry Adams saved him, but only at the expense of a distinctly soggy right foot.
I'm 
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