Want to find out more about the Northern Slant team? Every week we put 10 questions to our community of contributors – about them, their interests and hopes for Northern Ireland’s future. This week’s interviewee is James McMordie. You can follow James on Twitter @JamesMcMordie.

 

Tell us about yourself, and why you got involved with Northern Slant.

I’m from the mighty metropolis of Saintfield – well, a small farm outside it actually. My family are animal mad – everyone has their own dog – and most of my family work with animals for a living. I’m very much the black sheep of the family having spent the past ten years living in Scotland and the Czech Republic but I moved home last year. I’m currently doing a PGCE at Queen’s University in Belfast and loving it.
I got involved with Northern Slant for a number of reasons. I had been looking for a way to contribute for a while and it was an article by Jamie Pow on airports that first caught my eye. I really liked NS’s approach: asking important questions and giving a platform to a  wide range of people. After a brief conversation with Connor Daly (Northern Slant Editor) I was all set! One of my first articles was on trains – an interest I’ve had ever since Thomas the Tank Engine – so expect a lot more on that topic in the future!

 

Describe Northern Ireland in 5 words

Welcoming-diverse-generous-fun-reactionary.

 

What makes you proud to be from here?

Despite everything we’ve been through this is still one of the most generous and welcoming places on Earth. For every act of hate there’s a hundred acts of kindness. We should celebrate that.

 

Are you hopeful for the future?

On the whole, yes. We can – and must – do better than we are now. The next generation – the kids I’m teaching now – give me a lot of confidence that Northern Ireland can have a very bright future indeed if we work together and stand as one. It’s often said that we have a lot of potential but I really do believe that. Look at other small countries like Estonia, look at where they were twenty years ago when Communism collapsed and then look at where they are now – leading the way in terms of technology, education and open governance. With determination – and some hard work – we can and will succeed.

 

If you could change one thing about Northern Ireland, what would it be?

I used the word reactionary to describe Northern Ireland and felt a little guilty about it – but I did mean it and it is something I’d really like to see change. We really are a very cynical bunch and can be very slow to adapt to change. I’d like us to be a country in the vanguard of progressive change – whether that’s in our society, our economy or our politics. A little bit more vision and a willingness to embrace change could really see this place transformed.

 

Favourite NI celebrity?

Jamie Dornan. Jamie was a couple of years ahead of me in school and I’ve a lot of respect for the way in which he appears to eschew the more traditional celebrity lifestyle. I’m also really proud that he’s helped to bring about top quality productions such as The Fall which have been a terrific showcase for other native Northern Irish talent. Above all, I think he’s a terrific role model, one who has shown that Northern Irish folk can make it to the very top in Holywood.

 

Politician you most admire, from outside Northern Ireland.

I’m going to be really controversial and say Leo Varadkar. I have a lot of respect for him and went to see him when he visited Belfast for Pride last year. It’s not just because of who he is – though I think it’s terrific to see the openly gay, son of an immigrant, rising up to become Taoiseach – but also the liberal world view that he espouses. In an age of closed minds and new borders I find that refreshing – and in some ways feel he has done a better job of representing me, and my views around Brexit in particular, than many of my own elected representatives.

 

Favourite place to bring a visitor?

The Cathedral Quarter. Made in Belfast and Established Coffee are two of my favourite places in town and I recommend them both. Outside of Belfast it would have to be the raw natural beauty of the Mournes. There’s something about that sea/mountain combination that just cant be beat.

 

Potato bread or soda bread?

Soda bread for sure.

 

Snow Patrol or Van Morrison?

Erm… More of an Ulster Orchestra kinda guy…

 

You can find articles from James here.

Also published on Medium.