Insights
Reaction to the 2024 Irish Local and European Elections
Contrary to the polls and the views of many, the anticipated significant shifts in power did not play out in Ireland over the last week in the local and European elections. Rather, the people of Ireland voted for centrist government with honours even between the big two of Irish politics which saw both Fine Fáil and Fine Gael each taking 23% of the first preference votes. The big challenger Sinn Féin, which had positioned itself as the party of change, got a bloody nose from much of the electorate polling at only 12%. It is fair to say, Sinn Féin’s performance came as a shock to the party given and potentially its rivals, as it had been polling strongly in the run up to the elections.
Cyber threats are the constant conundrum of today’s corporate world
Constant and camouflaged are the digital threats facing organisations in today’s online world. Cyberattacks in their many forms are now so ubiquitous, the UK’s National Cyber Security Council (NCSC) believes it is a question of when – not if – companies will one day find themselves at the mercy of malicious hackers.
Three decades - and a change of communication
Reflecting on how much has changed socially, culturally and technologically since 1994
UK Spring Budget Brief
With an election expected this year Chancellor Jeremy Hunt laid his Spring Budget before Parliament this afternoon. While there were personal tax giveaways in the form of a National Insurance cut there wasn’t much for Northern Ireland’s politicians to get excited about save for a £100m additional funding in the form of the Barnett Consequential. Certainly not enough to plug some of the funding gaps we have.
Spring Cleaning Needed on a City–Wide Scale
We can view Belfast City Centre through a new night–time lens and uncover the opportunities hiding in the darkness.
The Deal- Safeguarding The Union
What a difference a week makes, as they say, it’s a long time in politics. Sir Jeffrey Donaldson will rise to his feet in the Commons today emboldened after the progress of recent days, in stark contrast to the besieged, threatened and vulnerable leader that spoke with such emotion on the green benches last week.
Northern Ireland Talks Update
It’s the day after the night before, as the angst over the very public and bitter talks break up between the Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris and the DUP at Hillsborough Castle yesterday rumbles on.
Beyond the screen: There’s more to being an influencer than meets the eye
On AIKEN’s fifth monthly blog, Jack talks about the influence influencers have on our daily lives.