kuro68k wrote: » The British government is going to take it right to the cliff edge and hope that someone else compromises. Of course they have their excuses already lined up if no-one does, only real question is who they will blame.
Enzokk wrote: » But SF is not involved in any stage of negotiations nor are in power in any government to influence anything so they cannot influence what Brexit is achieved so I fail to see how the DUP could claim what Brexit they want.
FrancieBrady wrote: » So what? The DUP are to be protected from the mention of a UI? I think we are past the 'please be sensitive to Unionists' phase. FG have finally seen the light there - that there is no point being 'nice'. Speak your mind honestly.
briany wrote: » There would be some outstanding questions about a UI. There's the financial aspect, and also the socio-political aspect. The new state would be taking on close to a million people who identify as British, and a good chunk of whom would have voted in the negative in the border poll. Their views and concerns would have to be accommodated. To not do this would make a mockery of the ideals that the flag of Ireland represented before it was co-opted in the North by those of a Republican bent. Those ideals being about peace between the two traditions. It might be a bit of a hard pill to swallow for some Irish people, but we would at least have to extend the hand of compromise (whether it's slapped away is a different matter). Otherwise, a UI might not be that great of an idea, from a sociological standpoint at least.
blanch152 wrote: » it would require cross-community buy-in.
The idea that nationalists outbreed unionists to 50% plus 1 and then sign up to a united Ireland under existing laws of the Republic would be abhorrent to the principles of the GFA where existing traditions are respected and integrated.
Bambi wrote: » Break up of the United Kingdom too, for good measure. Won't be much of a victory if the Loyalists wind up going boogaloo to any sustained degree
LeinsterDub wrote: » To these peoples minds the EU is either run by the Germans or the Germans and the French and they simply can't grasp why the EU is backing up one of it's own .
LeinsterDub wrote: » It's the North and Brexit , a little thing like facts aren't important I was more thinking don't interrupt when your enemy is making a mistake
joe40 wrote: » Is there a chance we have talked ourselves into a corner with the backstop. I fully appreciate the need to avoid a hard border as much as anyone (i'm a cross border worker). However if this is the thing which precipitates a no deal brexit we are left with the hardest of all borders. I'm starting to lose my nerve here watching sterling go down. Purely selfish I know.
Rory28 wrote: » What are you on about?
Rory28 wrote: » While I would love to see a United Ireland is it something we can afford?
The UK’s annual subvention is just over €10bn annually. When seen from the perspective of the North, with its total GDP of under €50bn, it looks like a significant figure — but when seen from the perspective of Dublin, it is not insurmountable. The usual way financial markets assess whether national expenditure and debts are sustainable is the debt/GDP ratio. Northern Ireland would cost less than 4 per cent of the Irish Republic’s GDP annually. Of course, even this manageable figure would end up lower because the combined Irish GDP of the Republic combined with the North would be well over €300 billion, reducing the subvention as a percentage of income yet more. In pure budgetary terms, there is little doubt that the Republic’s economy could absorb the North and this is before the commercial dynamism of unification kicks in.https://www.ft.com/content/7d5244a0-f22d-11e8-ae55-df4bf40f9d0d
Wheres Me Jumper? wrote: » i know this is AH but even by its lowly standards, people here are really in danger of losing the run of themselves. and people accused Brexiters of fear-mongering!
Call me Al wrote: » There's a hard border either way if they end up leaving in no deal or hard brexit, which is what many over there are clawing for. The way I see it the Irish govt is as well to hold its nerve as these alternatives are 6 of one and half dozen of the other when it come to the border. If the UK gov't has this magic technology they keep telling us about then what's the problem with the backstop?!
Kermit.de.frog wrote: » Newsnight blog...
megatron989 wrote: » I'd be worried that a second vote, one which offered an out, which would likely win depending on what media or poll you believe, would kick off some serious backlash. The remain side have been unhappy thus far but they don't riot or kick off about it. If remain got a second shot and won out, even by a clear majority unlike the first vote, I'd think the Brexit supporting side would loose it's collective mind and throw an absolute wobbler. Something to make the french stop and look even.
Professor Moriarty wrote: » John Major telling it like it is in a speech last night:“...a hard border, now or at the end of a long transition period or at any time would be disastrous. Peace isn’t secure, it never is and any new border would be a focus for the wild men on the fringes to reactivate old disputes and hatreds that should be laid to rest forever.”
Lollipop95 wrote: » So is the postponed vote that was due to take place today now being shelved for another time? Is there an official date for it to be held again?
hill16bhoy wrote: » Any prospective united Ireland would really require the following if violence was to be avoided; i) a new national flag ii) a new national anthem iii) federal status for the six counties, ie. Stormont would be retained, but the six counties would also have Dail representation iv) Some say for Britain in the affairs of the North, ie. a role reversal for Ireland and Britain as regards the current status v) The six counties would retain Commonwealth membership and British passport eligibility vi) You'd probably have to throw in a couple of other sweeteners - ie. Ulster Scots would be recognised under a language act (even if it's a joke of a "language"), the Northern Ireland football team would still exist. Then there's the fate of the NHS there etc., which very few would want to give up.
tuxy wrote: » Can be delayed until the 28 of March if she wants, if she is still in power.
blanch152 wrote: » It is not about the DUP, you need to get that fixation out of your mind. It is about the provisions of the GFA. They are nowhere near being fulfilled, which means talk of a border poll is only provocative and aimed at hardening minds rather than reaching out. It was a very poor judgment call by Mary Lou, but I suspect her heart wasn't in it and she was acting under orders from the boys in Belfast.
The Rape of Lucretia wrote: » Even as a Remainer, and even today, Mays language betrays the inherent disconnect between the UK and the rest of Europe : "Asked whether she had been told that the 48 letters to trigger a no confidence motion in her as Conservative leader had been received, May said: “No, I have been here in Europe dealing with the issue I have promised parliament I would be dealing with.”" People from no other European country would use the term 'Europe' in that sense of it being a place, that is abroad.
