Is it just me or have SF vanished?

all about the mane wrote: »

So? That’s not stopping them. You do know how government formation works, yeah?

Intellectual dishonesty. The numbers don't add up, as is obvious to any honest observer.

TheCitizen wrote: »

It's amazing the amount of people that pontificate about history when they haven't a clue, or as the case may be are deliberately misinterpreting history to suit their own narrative.

The recent conflict in Northern Ireland continued on for 30 years because the Unionists vetoed Sunningdale in 1974. O'Neill from the Unionists paid the political price as Paisley and hardliners whipped up a frenzy for their own political ends.

The GFA years later was similar in many ways to Sunningdale. "Sunningdale for slow learners" the GFA was described as by Seamus Mallon I believe and he was directing his ire at Republicans and Unionists. However, it wasn't Nationalists and/or Republicans that scuppered Sunningdale. Paisley and the DUP of course initially opposed the GFA but then ironically implemented it when his party became the biggest Unionist Party and took the trappings of office.

Please read a few history books on this before coming on here spouting the anti Sinn fein line just cos you probably vote for an opponent political party.

Indeed the loyalist effort was the primary reason for Sunningdale's demise. But SF opposed the agreement too, as it feared any 'settlement' would undermine support for the PIRA campaign within the Nationalist community. Mallon's iconic 'slow learners' line was directed at the violence merchants on both sides. Funny how the efforts of the true architects of peace are now being appropriated by the pups of the dogs who opposed it... can I suggest that you read Seamus Mallons 'A Shared Home Place', just to broaden your own understanding (there is more to life than the SF bookshop after all)

SF have not forgotten the lesson on the need for instability either, now seeking perpetual crises within the GFA to de-stabilize the NI executive, for fear it might actually deliver a functioning administration. RHI was a classic case and there will be more.

The big concern among some leaders in SF is that a growing nationalist middle class could become too comfortable in a prosperous NI and turn away from the United-Ireland at-all-costs mantra. Developing a victim narrative around the Irish language is a key ploy to arrest this possibility. Gullible gaeilgeoiri rush to the flag. A closed border post-Brexit would also do wonders for the cause. The DUP are just a bit too think to read the playbook.

Odhinn wrote: »

SF and PBP, the Labour party & the Social Democrats give a total of 60 seats. In the highly unlikely event they got all 19 independents on board that would still only give them 79 seats.

You accuse others of dishonesty - yet deliberately omit the Greens (who are certainly a party of the left) from the count :rolleyes:

They were there to be courted by any party serious about tying to form a Govt - yet somehow it’s the fault of FF or FG that Sinn Fein are too toxic to even win over other left wing parties?
Cut the dishonest BS - does nothing but undermine your credibility

Odhinn wrote: »

...but thats not going to happen. The armed struggle carried out by the Provisonals was a justified one in their opinion (and mine, for what its worth).

Is that a softer more politically correct way of saying, committing murder and war crimes?

Regardless, you do realise that many people have issues with this?

Bowie wrote: »

Don't be confused by the faux morals of FG and FF.
FG and FF are too toxic for most everyone.
FG wont wear SF and after some debate, FF decided not to either.
The electorate don't think SF are any more toxic than FF and by the looks of it less toxic than FG.

FF and FG have less combined seats than the remaining seats. so it's very apparent that SF is too toxic to be able to form a government with everyone else.

SF are telling us that we voted for change from the previous FG govt backed by FF. so where is it then?

Shefwedfan wrote: »

We have still to get an answer why killing people in the South of Ireland achieved anything in the struggle up the North?


What exactly was achieved in this fight against "cessation of British criminality" by killing Martin Cahill? or just one scumbag killing another?

Jesus still on here ranting and raving. Take a break man

Odhinn wrote: »

SF and PBP, the Labour party & the Social Democrats give a total of 60 seats. In the highly unlikely event they got all 19 independents on board that would still only give them 79 seats.

You are forgetting the Greens, who initially at least, were interested in talking to Sinn Fein. Mary-Lou has comprehensively messed that up, with the Greens turning back to FF/FG. What a failure of leadership by her. She was handed PBP, Greens and Soc Dems on a plate and somehow managed to throw it all away.

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

SF have so far kept quiet after this earlier...

https://www.independent.ie/videos/irish-news/leo-varadkar-accuses-mary-lou-mcdonald-of-being-two-faced-in-heated-dail-exchange-39188234.html

Just catching up on this . He gave her the roasting she deserves. You have to wonder are a lot of the people who voted SF as a protest vote regretting the vote now?

tikkahunter wrote: »

Just catching up on this . He gave her the roasting she deserves. You have to wonder are a lot of the people who voted SF as a protest vote regretting the vote now?

He threw the “what happened in Northern Ireland” stuff at her? SF are in office in Northern Ireland they try to get what they want done, they don’t have full control and ultimately the Tories have the final say. SF were at loggerheads with the DUP at the start of the pandemic over the DUP doing the usual following the British government lead on imposing restrictions etc. SF wanted the approach to tally with what we were doing down here but they can only do what they can, they can’t force the DUP to comply. When the Assembly in the North was out of action FF and FG used it as a stick to beat SF and when SF are in the Assembly keeping it in operation they still use it as a stick to beat them with.

Varadkar was showing his claws there. SF will enjoy leading opposition and will become bigger than the two of them and Varadkar and his chums know it.

TheCitizen wrote: »

He threw the “what happened in Northern Ireland” stuff at her? SF are in office in Northern Ireland they try to get what they want done, they don’t have full control and ultimately the Tories have the final say. SF were at loggerheads with the DUP at the start of the pandemic over the DUP doing the usual following the British government lead on imposing restrictions etc. SF wanted the approach to tally with what we were doing down here but they can only do what they can, they can’t force the DUP to comply. When the Assembly in the North was out of action FF and FG used it as a stick to beat SF and when SF are in the Assembly keeping it in operation they still use it as a stick to beat them with.

Varadkar was showing his claws there. SF will enjoy leading opposition and will become bigger than the two of them and Varadkar and his chums know it.

Thats wishful thinking, they are showing themselves up now for what they are a bag of wind with no substance.

Shefwedfan wrote: »

I think the waiting game would work for other parties. When you have the likes of Violet Anne in a party the last thing you want is time. Already she has probably lost the revolt voters from the election.



I know in my area, everyone has yet to see the SF politician raise his head since the election. Even the FG politician that got kicked out was out helping in the community with Covid, SF not a sign. WOuld he get in if they had another election? I don't know but I would expect the FG lady would get a bump in votes because of her work

You’re right about one thing you said there above; you don’t know. You’re just hoping that your side will recover lost ground. In my view SF leading opposition means they will grow larger. I think deep down you think that as well but you’re not going to admit that of course.