Current Affairs Irish Border and Brexit

[Khalekan]

Just one of Britain's foremost political journalists showing just how little he knows about NI politics



DUP voters dont become SF voters and vice versa.

 

[ToffeeTim]

@davek I know you were a fan of this fellow’s work in uncov the RHI scandal and Mrs. Foster’s role in it.

Sam McBride is my go to person for news over here. One of the very best.

 

[davek]

@davek I know you were a fan of this fellow’s work in uncov the RHI scandal and Mrs. Foster’s role in it.

Seen him on Newsnight last night.

There was an interview on there with Naomi Long and an ex-DUP Stormont minister and Peter Sherlow of L'pool University. Sherlow was making the point that Unionists who remain hard line sectarian fail to reform Unionism and stay relevant to most people who would describe themselves as Unionist - secular Unionists who are not concerned with the religious-sectarian dimension of that ideology, or interested in the kind of fundamentalism the DUP offer, but open to inter-communal development and politically to the pluralism of the Alliance Party. They just want to avoid a united Ireland.

No idea if that's on the money, but if swathes of people who would have previoulsy got behnd the Unionist parties as a reflex have another home to go to then that seems to suggest the DUP are denied even their own hinterland to turn to as the wider structural forces continue work against them (demographics, economics).

 

[dublinbluenose]

Seen him on Newsnight last night.

There was an interview on there with Naomi Long and an ex-DUP Stormont minister and Peter Sherlow of L'pool University. Sherlow was making the point that Unionists who remain hard line sectarian fail to reform Unionism and stay relevant to most people who would describe themselves as Unionist - secular Unionists who are not concerned with the religious-sectarian dimension of that ideology, or interested in the kind of fundamentalism the DUP offer, but open to inter-communal development and politically to the pluralism of the Alliance Party. They just want to avoid a united Ireland.

No idea if that's on the money, but if swathes of people who would have previoulsy got behnd the Unionist parties as a reflex have another home to go to then that seems to suggest the DUP are denied even their own hinterland to turn to as the wider structural forces continue work against them (demographics, economics).

A lot of pelople whose parents would have always voted for a unionist party of one description or another voted Alliance in the last election. These are univeristy educated 20 and 30 somethings who have grown up post GFA. Abortion and marriage equality would be more important priorities than a strong union for these groups. Their parents had begun to drift away from Unionist parties in the 90's but the GFA agreement was almost a reset in that the way it was constructed, there was only a place for two large parties. The SDLP and the UUP kinda got shafted.

Alliance party growth in the last 5 or so years has been phenomenal. Naomi Long seems to appeal to a broad base.

I dont think the same shift is happening in the nationalist community to the same extent though. SF will be the largest party at the next election, of that there is no doubt. Its possible they will be the biggest party in the South as well.

 

[Armaghtoffee]

Almost certain that the new DUP incumbent will bring down the Assembly with their expected swing to the hard right. The issues that led to the demise of Foster (Brexit, Protocol, Irish Act, Societal change with gay marriage and abortion rights) aren’t going away and the new leader will not walk the same path as Foster. This only leaves old rhetoric and raging against the light.

Through the law of unintended consequences, collapsing a power sharing government while momentum builds throughout Ireland to re-unify could be another Brexit level mistake from the DUP.

 

[davek]

A lot of pelople whose parents would have always voted for a unionist party of one description or another voted Alliance in the last election. These are univeristy educated 20 and 30 somethings who have grown up post GFA. Abortion and marriage equality would be more important priorities than a strong union for these groups. Their parents had begun to drift away from Unionist parties in the 90's but the GFA agreement was almost a reset in that the way it was constructed, there was only a place for two large parties. The SDLP and the UUP kinda got shafted.

Alliance party growth in the last 5 or so years has been phenomenal. Naomi Long seems to appeal to a broad base.

I dont think the same shift is happening in the nationalist community to the same extent though. SF will be the largest party at the next election, of that there is no doubt. Its possible they will be the biggest party in the South as well.

God forbid, but if violence erupted again would it coalesce those from a Protestant background more behind unionist parties?

It's good to hear the knuckle draggers arr nowhere near as representative of one community's opinion now.

 

[dublinbluenose]

God forbid, but if violence erupted again would it coalesce those from a Protestant background more behind unionist parties?

It's good to hear the knuckle draggers arr nowhere near as representative of one community's opinion now.

Thats the question.

Tbh a lot of the existing paramilitaries on both sides, particularly loyalists seem to be far more focused on selling drugs and geberal criminality.

Part of the reason for the problem over the customs checks at ports is over drug import and the problems border checks will cause drug gangs.

It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest that part of the call to get rid of the head of the PSNI was from the paramilitaries for that reason. Purely speculation on my part though.

 

[Taifi gorm]

Thats the question.

Tbh a lot of the existing paramilitaries on both sides, particularly loyalists seem to be far more focused on selling drugs and geberal criminality.

Part of the reason for the problem over the customs checks at ports is over drug import and the problems border checks will cause drug gangs.

It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest that part of the call to get rid of the head of the PSNI was from the paramilitaries for that reason. Purely speculation on my part though.

Rathcoole: NI women arrested over European drugs parcels

They were detained after parcels being sent from the Netherlands and Belgium were intercepted.

www.bbc.com

 

[dublinbluenose]

The future leader of the DUP offering straighteners in the car park to pro GFA unionists "C'mon big man" at the end lol

 

[davek]

The future leader of the DUP offering straighteners in the car park to pro GFA unionists "C'mon big man" at the end lol

Is he any relation to Marel Brands? I see a resemblance in some way.

 

[dublinbluenose]

Welcome to 1865

 

[Armaghtoffee]

@davek

A friendly challenge to a valued poster and a mate.

Convince me that NI is better off in the U.K.

 

[davek]

@davek

A friendly challenge to a valued poster and a mate.

Convince me that NI is better off in the U.K.

I couldn't construct any such argument along those lines. There is literally no benefit to remaining in the UK for people in.

I'm completely against the Union. Whether that's in relation to Scotland or NI.

 

[Khalekan]

@davek

A friendly challenge to a valued poster and a mate.

Convince me that NI is better off in the U.K.

I’d say you’re asking the wrong man there, Army lol

Happen @peteblue would be the persuader for the Union you need

 

[Khalekan]