I am just about old enough to remember the notorious 'ring of steel' in Belfast city centre. To see it become itself this week, a European city exploding with culture, is joyful. More than that: its seminal. People now know what it can be, they won't accept less.

Matthew O’Toole, @otoolematthew.bsky.social, SDLP MLA and Leader of the Opposition at Stormont, will join Europe’s Future in a Fractured World, bringing experience from politics, journalism and public service. @notredame.bsky.social macgillsummerschool.com

Thank you to @otoolematthew.bsky.social and @adampayne26.bsky.social for speaking at our event in London yesterday on 'Brexit ten years on: Northern Ireland and its future' Watch the recording here:

Hybrid discussion on 'Brexit ten years on: Northern Ireland and its future'

Speakers: Matthew O'Toole, Leader of the Opposition & Member of the Legislative Assembly for South Belfast, Northern Ireland Assembly Adam Payne, Editor, PoliticsHome Chair: Anton Spisak, Senior…

buff.ly

The Donaldson revelations go to the heart of the arrogant hypocrisy the DUP has demonstrated for decades. An in-house review isn't enough: the party must now accept they will never again be allowed to impose their will on the public while behaving with wild impunity in private.

If you're in London, and want to hear me talk Brexit, Northern Ireland and my own journey from No 10 to Stormont... do come along at 2pm on Wednesday. If you're not, sign up and watch on Zoom. Really looking forward to it.

Centre for European Reform@centreeuropeanref.bsky.social · last mo.

📅 Join us – 1/7/26: Hybrid discussion on 'Brexit ten years on: Northern Ireland and its future' with @otoolematthew.bsky.social and @adampayne26.bsky.social Email events@cer.eu for info & registration

📅 Join us – 1/7/26: Hybrid discussion on 'Brexit ten years on: Northern Ireland and its future' with @otoolematthew.bsky.social and @adampayne26.bsky.social Email events@cer.eu for info & registration

In 2016 hardly anyone in the Leave campaign paid any attention to Brexit's possible effects on Northern Ireland, despite warnings from John Major and Tony Blair. Where do things stand ten years later? Hear from @otoolematthew.bsky.social & @adampayne26.bsky.social at @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social.

Centre for European Reform@centreeuropeanref.bsky.social · last mo.

📅 Join us – 1/7/26: Hybrid discussion on 'Brexit ten years on: Northern Ireland and its future' with @otoolematthew.bsky.social and @adampayne26.bsky.social Email events@cer.eu for info & registration

📅 Join us – 1/7/26: Hybrid discussion on 'Brexit ten years on: Northern Ireland and its future' with @otoolematthew.bsky.social and @adampayne26.bsky.social Email events@cer.eu for info & registration

Hard to believe its ten years since referendum day. A pivotal moment, including for me personally - I'm only a politician because of it. It was clear it would make the UK poorer and less relevant, and it has. And also that it would change the island of Ireland, and it has.

In case you missed my article for the @financialtimes.com on last week's race hate in Belfast. Including a night i won't forget, and not in a good way. giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...

The consequences of online race hatred are playing out on Belfast’s streets

Malign social media automates division — I saw the effects in our city this week

giftarticle.ft.com

Grim new episode open to all. @otoolematthew.bsky.social describes sheltering families fleeing their burning homes in his constituency office during the horrific riots in Belfast last week. We discuss the broader societal and historical context: www.patreon.com/theirishpass...

Halfpint: Racist riots in Belfast | The Irish Passport Podcast

Halfpint: Racist riots in Belfast by The Irish Passport Podcast on Patreon. Join The Irish Passport Podcast's community for exclusive content and updates.

patreon.com

Last week's election results leave no doubt: the UK state is destabilised and Nigel Farage is sadly likely to become Prime Minister. In these circumstances, a responsible Irish government must be planning for change here. My piece in yesterday's Irish Times.

Why does no one want to govern Northern Ireland? A piece I wrote on my substack outlining the frustrations of a region that nobody wants responsibility for. open.substack.com/pub/matthewo...

Who governs?

Why does no one want to take responsibility for Northern Ireland?

open.substack.com

Speakers: 🔴Matthew O’Toole MLA (SDLP) @otoolematthew.bsky.social 🔴Former MLA John McAllister 🔴Paul O’Kane MSP (Scottish Labour Party) @pfokane.bsky.social 🔴Eoin Ó Broin TD (Sinn Féin) 🔴Final Speaker TBC. Tickets available here 👉 imaginebelfast.com/event/checks...

Checks and Balances: the Role of Opposition in UK and Ireland - Imagine! Belfast

This event will examine the role of the opposition across UK and Irish legislatures.

imaginebelfast.com

Deposited Paper: Information provided by the Minister for Infrastructure in response to @otoolematthew.bsky.social MLA detailing the scale and design of proposed road surfacing scheme on the Ormeau Road scheduled for Summer 2026 including any drawings or maps. www.niassembly.gov.uk/globalassets...

Really striking going through Epstein disclosures just how often British defamation lawyers are referred to: Schillings; Paul Tweed; oblique suggestions to sue to silence Why? Because our libel laws let rich and powerful buy silence Why I signed this last week pressgazette.co.uk/media_law/an...

Editors unite to demand Parliament takes action on SLAPPs

Editors from national newspapers including The Guardian and The Times demand action on SLAPPs in next King's Speech.

pressgazette.co.uk

the mad thing is that when Mandelson went on the BBC earlier this month for a grand Sunday geopolitical interview, he knew that the FT knew about the Epstein payments to his husband, and that they were about to come out

Trying to find new ideas on improving politics in the north now, and a new Ireland in the future? I've launched a substack - 'The Broader Ground' - subscribe and engage if you're interested 👇 open.substack.com/pub/matthewo...

New Year, old us

a new substack from an Opposition leader, no new year resolutions from the Northern Ireland Executive

open.substack.com

The issue of the bonfire at Donegall Road exposes the democratic scandal of how this place works. There is a credible risk to public health but neither the responsible Alliance environment minister, UUP health minister nor any Executive party will say anything. Why not?

I graduated 20 years ago (🤯) the same day a local laureate got an hon Degree. My dad insisted on introducing himself, convinced Heaney would welcome chat with a "fellow culchie". And he did! Back then I cringed, now as father myself, I think of my dad's pride and delight and am emotional.

The Belfast Islamic Centre are literally my neighbours. My constituency office is yards away. The attack on them is cowardly and pathetic but sadly illustrates the real challenge of race hate we face. Solidarity with all affected - I and my party stand with you.

The appalling scenes in Ballymena are a bleak illustration that the hard right of loyalism and unionism has little to offer working class communities but fear. My piece for the i inews.co.uk/opinion/ball...

Ballymena riots have exposed the unionist right: fear is all they have to offer

Violence has been concentrated in areas where loyalist paramilitaries still exist and exert malevolent control

inews.co.uk

The actions of the Communities Minister cannot be ignored. He is the Minister responsible for the Housing Executive and lives are at stake. Tomorrow the Opposition will refer him to the standards commissioner and explore all other options for accountability.

Today we brought the first substantive Assembly motion on NI re-entering the EU. Alliance abstained, after slurs and petty name calling. Disappointingly, barely half of SF MLAs bothered to vote for a new Ireland. We will keep making the case for a new Ireland back in Europe.

Like anyone, Gerry Adams is entitled to petition a court and a jury has given its verdict. The BBC will have questions to consider after this. But today I'm thinking of the thousands of victims of the IRA, loyalists and the state who will never get a single day in court, let alone justice.

Irish unity is the only way Northern Ireland can rejoin the EU and there is no point pretending otherwise, according to an SDLP motion MLAs will debate on Monday.

SDLP Brexit motion ‘aimed at Alliance over its fence-sitting on a border poll’

Irish unity is the only way Northern Ireland can rejoin the EU and there is no point pretending otherwise, according to an SDLP motion MLAs will debate on Monday.

belfasttelegraph.co.uk

I've never received the scale of constituent correspondence, from all backgrounds, over such a prolonged period, as I have from people despairing over Gaza. The gravity of what is unfolding and the outrage at the complicity of western leaders is overwhelming decent people.

The Executive is defined by inaction, so is happy with the distraction of daily rows on signs or statues. If we want to give young people a reason not to get on a plane to Australia, we need to offer more them more than one never-ending Old Firm game.

The structural shift in British politics took another step today. Those in NI who don't want to be part of a Farage UK, or even in a political system that concedes so much to him even when he isn't in power, have a choice which is ever more urgent. A new Ireland back in Europe.

Having promised an overhaul of workers rights (but not published an actual Bill) on Monday, Sinn Féin tonight worked with Alliance to force an extension of Sunday opening for giant retailers, against the express wishes of workers, trade unions and small shops. And on May day...