Podge_irl wrote: » Conservatives won't lose a confidence motion. The DUP for all their posturing certainly don't want an election which could either put Labour in power or remove their influence over the Conservatives.
downcow wrote: » UK has stated clearly they will absolutely not be creating any border in ireland and wto can’t insist.
ARNOLD J RIMMER wrote: » If there is a General Election is it UK wide? As in could the DUP lose seats in NI?
Leroy42 wrote: » So rather than simply repost slogans and talking points, such as the "UK have no intention of a hard border", surely at this stage in the game the answer of how they intend to avoid this is required rather than simply restating it.
downcow wrote: » Having said that I do recognise most on here believe the Eu is wonderfully angelic and the UK is evil for wanting out
downcow wrote: » I feel this is the crux of the issue. So many people have decided that it is entirely the uks responsibility to provide the answers to this problem. I completely accept that it is a significant problem but I don’t accept that there is a Devine right for Eu to hold on to states and perceive it as the states fault if it’s peolle decide they want out. I think it was 74 the UK people voted to join the common market and I believe would vote in a massive majority to do that again. Those that didn’t want to go I’m accepted it was democracy and work politically to get out. In 2016 Uk voted to leave a very different beast and that should be respected. If that was the starting point there would b hope of agreement but from day one Eu and ireland tried to undermine that democratic decision and most infuriatingly used the hard won gfa as the battering ram. Those who want back in can work politically for that. If Eu transformed then I would also be working to rejoin but Eu has became arrogant, undemocratic, and on UK exit downright difficult
lawred2 wrote: » Do you think that that's a worthwhile contribution to discussion?
FrancieBrady wrote: » The UK can leave (like everyone else) anytime they want. They want a deal however and have gotten one, which they can take or leave too. They cannot however leave with a deal that leaves them better off at the expense of us left in the EU. So it is over to them, take it or leave it.
flatty wrote: » Agreed. Corbyn has blinked himself into a corner. Labour really really should get shot of him.
downcow wrote: » Yeah that is very fair position. But I still feel strongly that the gfa should not have been trailed through this to aid one position unfairly
downcow wrote: » So many people have decided that it is entirely the uks responsibility to provide the answers to this problem.
I completely accept that it is a significant problem but I don’t accept that there is a Devine right for Eu to hold on to states and perceive it as the states fault if it’s peolle decide they want out.
I think it was 74 the UK people voted to join the common market and I believe would vote in a massive majority to do that again. Those that didn’t want to go I’m accepted it was democracy and work politically to get out. In 2016 Uk voted to leave a very different beast and that should be respected.
If that was the starting point there would b hope of agreement but from day one Eu and ireland tried to undermine that democratic decision and most infuriatingly used the hard won gfa as the battering ram.
Those who want back in can work politically for that. If Eu transformed then I would also be working to rejoin but Eu has became arrogant, undemocratic, and on UK exit downright difficult
downcow wrote: » Probably not. Apologies. But it would be helpful if all sides considered how they could assist the other and recognised own faults.
FrancieBrady wrote: » What is unfair about protecting an agreement that underscores a political settlement and peace on this entire island and the rights of people contained therein?
How not to behave at parties: So who was the “tired and emotional” journalist who got chucked out of the party after heckling the Irish ambassador at his own event? Playbook’s lips are sealed, of course, and the unflappable Adrian O’Neill took it all in his stride. It all kicked off after the jokey part of O’Neill’s speech was over, and he moved into a serious section about the importance of maintaining strong relations between Britain and Ireland. As the audience listened quietly, our charming heroine yelled “boring” at him from the back of the room. O’Neill paused, good-naturedly replied that this was the serious bit of his speech, and continued. But as he spoke of the importance of avoiding a hard border across Ireland, she started grimacing and tutting … and then shouting “Brexit!” at the top of her voice. And if you’ve ever been to an ambassador’s party at a foreign embassy, you’ll realize this is generally not the done thing. Suffice to say she was escorted from the room. Getting thrown out of an *Irish embassy* party for being too rowdy … I mean, it’s an achievement, I guess.
funkey_monkey wrote: » The most marginal seats in NI are: 1 Foyle (SF) 0.4% 2 Fermanagh and South Tyrone (SF) 1.6% 3 North Down (Ind) 3.1% 4 Belfast North (DUP) 4.5% 5 Belfast South (DUP) 4.6% Foyle is a two way battle between SF and SDLP - majority only 169. F & ST was won by SF with a majority of 875 - despite DUP not fielding a candidate. Lady Hermon had a 1k majority over DUP as UUP did not field a candidate. North Belfast had a 2k majority - due to UUP not running an candidate. I would expect ELP to have a tough time hanging onto South Belfast despite a 2k majority. I would not expect DUP to gain any seats next time around. I would actually expect them to lose South Belfast as the demographics of that area would be mostly middle class people who will be badly affected by the DUP approach to Brexit. They might be enough of a swing towards Alliance or UUP to allow SDLP to steal back the seat - providing UUP and DUP do not agree a pact for this constituency for the next election. If they do, then it would be safe for the chosen unionist candidate.
downcow wrote: » Do you not understand that if borders in ireland upset nationalists and threaten the peace, then borders in the Irish Sea upset unionists and equally threaten the peace. Unless you believe the threat is all from republicans and that loyalists are nice guys that offer no threat. That’s what I feel is unfair in the current Eu/ire analysis / manipulation. I am seriously interested in what you think about this?
