The 2015 Popularity Contest (aka UK General Election )

[Joey66]

No there wouldn't be a coalition but they could end up propping up Cameron. In fact no scenario would make them happier.

There is zero chance of Sinn Fein ever going near Westminster.

The DUP are well in with DC they have been allowed not to implement any Welfare cutbacks, as he not just pledged them a extra Billion pounds in funding? He may just need them!

 

[davek]

No there wouldn't be a coalition but they could end up propping up Cameron. In fact no scenario would make them happier.

There is zero chance of Sinn Fein ever going near Westminster.

I seem to remember just such a scenario being in the news at the beginning of the year. Probably bollocks.

Admittedly it looks a non-runner. Right now. I wonder though if the Tories started weighing in DUP votes then some movement might occur on the Sinn Fein abstention? It's not like principles haven't been ditched by the shinners in the near past like is it?

 

[The Equaliser]

The DUP are well in with DC they have been allowed not to implement any Welfare cutbacks, as he not justy pledged them a extrsa Billion pounds in funding? He may just need them!

Oh absolutely. It's just that I was imagining Nigel Dodds' face exploding when you described them as 'Irish DUP' which had me laughing.

 

[The Equaliser]

I seem to remember just such a scenario being in the news at the beginning of the year. Probably bollocks.

Admittedly it looks a non-runner. Right now. I wonder though if the Tories started weighing in DUP votes then some movement might occur on the Sinn Fein abstention? It's not like principles haven't been ditched by the shinners in the near past like is it?

All for the advancement of peace though so most welcome.

Westminster is a foreign parliament to republicans so purely on that principle they will not participate in it, whatever the colour of government. I think there was a scenario in the 90s where if the SF MPs had attended a vote of confidence they could have brought down the Major government.

It's full steam ahead for the Dáil election next year for them as they hope to go into coalition. Unfortunately for them though the major parties have already ruled it out.

 

[Jxg]

Scottish nationalism and English nationalism are two very different beasts. What you're saying is akin to saying anyone who believes in a fairer society is a Stalinst.

English nationalism has developed on the grounds of racial superiority and discrimination, it is about anti-immigration and it breeds bigotry.

The SNP campaign is simply for Scottish independence or, failing that, greater self-governance. There are no extremist undertones and it is owing to the fact that they have traditionally been governed by a different country. Their policies are left of centre and very inoffensive.

You say that no nationalist party should be accepted, totally ignoring the fact that some real extremists who do discriminate based on nationality are also involved (UKIP).

All nationalism is driven by rampant xenophobia and Scottish nationalism is no different to British (notice I never mentioned English) nationalism.

 

[davek]

All for the advancement of peace though so most welcome.

Westminster is a foreign parliament to republicans so purely on that principle they will not participate in it, whatever the colour of government. I think there was a scenario in the 90s where if the SF MPs had attended a vote of confidence they could have brought down the Major government.

It's full steam ahead for the Dáil election next year for them as they hope to go into coalition. Unfortunately for them though the major parties have already ruled it out.

I defer to your better understanding of the situation.

SF have been pretty savvy over the austerity issue as I understand and the revolt against water charges in particular. If they're the champions of that group of people then the mainstream parties there surely have to consider their options seriously. Tbh I have no idea how toxic SF are in the RoI political environment.

 

[Seanjd]

All nationalism is driven by rampant xenophobia and Scottish nationalism is no different to British (notice I never mentioned English) nationalism.

There are different types if nationalism; not all are driven by xenophobia. Scottish, Irish and Welsh nationalism are terms used for the identification of independent states. This is a different to the xenophobic, right wing nationalism you see coming out if England (eg. BNP, EDL) as the English have always been the dominant nation in the Union. This nationalism is ethnicity driven.

 

[Jxg]

There are different types if nationalism; not all are driven by xenophobia. Scottish, Irish and Welsh nationalism are terms used for the identification of independent states. This is a different to the xenophobic, right wing nationalism you see coming out if England (eg. BNP, EDL) as the English have always been the dominant nation in the Union. This nationalism is ethnicity driven.

No, all nationalism puts the nation at heart and is therefore xenophobic. If you support the SNP you support the Scottish getting better deals than the English and Welsh which is the essence of racism - treating one nationality different to another. Why should only nation get a better deal than the other?

 

[Clint Planet]

This is where I fundamentally disagree with you. A private company will always put profits first, standards second. A nationalised service will always put standards first as they are answerable to the people.

That's why private enterprise in health is an incredible risk.

For example - http://www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/news/...estions-from-politicians-on-funding-1-6656708

Quite.

The public simply does not trust private enterprise when it comes to the NHS, and with good reason.

 

[bring the ghost on]

No, all nationalism puts the nation at heart and is therefore xenophobic. If you support the SNP you support the Scottish getting better deals than the English and Welsh which is the essence of racism - treating one nationality different to another. Why should only nation get a better deal than the other?

Let's say a hypothetical country had been colonised, ruled over for years with an oppressive government of the colonising state and had very little independence.

If that country had an upsurge in nationalism, a party who wanted independence but harboured no racist views and had pretty conservative policies, would you write them off as a bunch of xenophobes?

Obviously Scotland is different because they were not colonised, but surely you can see the distinction and how some forms of nationalism are not about xenophobia?

 

[Walken]

Not really. A private company with rubbish standards wont make much money. And do you remember trying to get a telephone from the GPO? Utter hogwash.

they will if they are supported by their pals in goverment

 

[roydo]

they will if they are supported by their pals in goverment

To a degree, yep.

 

[Jxg]

Let's say a hypothetical country had been colonised, ruled over for years with an oppressive government of the colonising state and had very little independence.

If that country had an upsurge in nationalism, a party who wanted independence but harboured no racist views and had pretty conservative policies, would you write them off as a bunch of xenophobes?

Obviously Scotland is different because they were not colonised, but surely you can see the distinction and how some forms of nationalism are not about xenophobia?

Nationalism is racism. If you're experiencing an upsurge in nationalism you're experiencing an upsurge in racism. You can't say that there are "no racist views" because they never, ever happens and if you disagree you're pretty much supporting racism. There is always racism. The SNP is a hateful party and people need to realise that.

 

[Clint Planet]

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices...e-tories-has-the-world-gone-mad-10149989.html

What an important and potentially decisive moment that was in the election, when 100 wealthy business people came out in support of the party that’s controlled and funded by wealthy business people, and was founded by wealthy business people, and always promises to cut taxes for wealthy business people.

 

[Clint Planet]

Nationalism is racism. If you're experiencing an upsurge in nationalism you're experiencing an upsurge in racism. You can't say that there are "no racist views" because they never, ever happens and if you disagree you're pretty much supporting racism. There is always racism. The SNP is a hateful party and people need to realise that.

You been in the pub, mate?