I've never understood NI.. But all this is mind boggling...
The dup rule but the people want to remain by a large margin??
How so?!
We have no government in Belfast. Regrettable yes, but they were so utterly useless they aren't missed. They are unlikely to come back any time soon. But they are still of course getting paid....
The DUP support brexit. It was only constituencies they hold that voted leave. The entire NI leave vote is not far off a DUP vote.
The DUP definitely do not rule lol
They are just in a position which leaves them as crucial numerically for the minority tory government. If there was a majority government then they would be pretty insignificant with only 9 or 10 seats. They are maximising their influence as May needs them. Just like any other party in a similar situation would do.
Sinn Fein support remain. But yes, as you've been told, some of the older members never supported the European project. Eg SF did not support the Lisbon treaty in ROI. Republicans traditionally were a bit eurosceptic until more recent times.
The overall NI remain vote was just over 60%. Although it was a UK wide referendum so I think that point is overplayed a little. The border areas naturally were strongly remain. There is concern over the border issue.
The issue of NI politics is very much one of identity. It's less about what you want from your government, and more about how you feel and what you feel. It's difficult to explain but people overwhelmingly tend to vote based on their background. That's unlikely to change soon.
There's also about 500 years of history to throw into the mix. Good luck with getting your head round all of it lol
