With the leader of the main Unionist party applauding speeches calling the GFA 'iniquitous' and 'deceit' are the upcoming elections a test for the seminal agreement?
It's hard to know what will happen if the DUP manage to get their vote out and maintain the majority vote.
I suppose but will it make any difference to their lives at the end of the day? Nope?
SF will be in for a hiding the next time out once that 'achievement' is ticked off.
Had the SDLP done well you can be sure Mark would be including them in his non-sectarian list.
That he casts them aside because they are no longer useful shows how desperate these guys are.
Inherintly yes, as the government is cross-party and cross-community.
You are constantly contradicting yourself here. You so desperately wish to reduce NI politics to the us vs them sectarian crap of old, so much so you are grasping at straws now. A conventional parliament with govt & opposition would be a far more partisan & sectarian system of government than the current powersharing agreements seen in Stormont.
There are obviously sectarian elements to most of the parties themselves in NI, but to state with certainty that Stormont itself and its powersharing structures are sectarian shows you havent a clue what you are talking about.
Are there many outright attacks by SF on SDLP?
It seems like the SDLP and Colum Eastwood are the ones leading the attacks, which may well be part of the reason for their demise. Its all negativity, they need to give reasons why we should vote SDLP, but all that comes across is bitterness from all the attacking other parties.
In a normal place, the people would vote and the parties would trash out a government. There is no opposition in Stormont for example. Jobs and ministries are dished out to all, given they have x number of seats.
That’s just more of the demeaning of the electorate stchick. Nobody is owed or owns a vote.
The SDLP need to target SF, as SF have been busy cannibalising their vote.
Likewise down south, Labours vote has been cannibalised by SF and the latter also has FF voters in the sights. Hence the bitter attacks by both on SF.
The likes of the SDLP, Labour or FF won't just stand by and watch SF attack constantly by fair means and foul and steal their vote.
Eastwood and Beattie leadership would be in doubt if this happens.
Is Stormont sectarian?
Great to see the Green Party in the north be decimated- sensible of voters to junk their authoritarian high tax chicken licken poison.
So you are grouping them with the 'sectarian' parties so? Or are they a special catergory?
There is a sectarian Orange and Green divide in the North that dominates politics there. Politics in the North is not normal for that reason.
If I were a Catholic I think the lure of SF possibly winning the first ministers office would lead to me voting for them, I'll bet a good lot of former SDLP people loaned SF their vote. Sure, FM hasn't more power than the Deputy, but it would fairly sweet to have a Catholic in the office after a full century of Catholics being on the back foot.
I dunno where disaffected unionists think they can go if they reject the Good Friday Agreement now.
52 per cent turnout. Fair to say the Nordies can't be arsed with Stormont at this stage
Still, will be fun to see all the change that a SF FM won't bring. Not sure what they'll use next time around to get the vote out 😂
I didn't put the SDLP on any list, Francie, you did it for me for some odd reason, maybe to drag to topic down one of your infamous rabbit holes.
Not playing, sorry.
Growing smaller? - Seems the opposite
At some stage,your gonna need stop labeling anyone you disagree with as sectarian,
Or at a minimum,justify your position with informed points on rethoric or policy detail....looks like piss poor baiting otherwise tbh
Danny Morrison maybe indicating the soul searching the SDLP need to do. They seem intent on alienating themselves from their base.
So why have you taken SDLP of the list Mark?
Do tell.
Greens and PBP got their votes because of their message. As all parties do.
Yes yes yes, as you only voted SF the last time out we all know about your transparency on the matter.
Why do you think the likes of the Greens and PBP have made inroads as well? More disgruntled Unionists?
The fact is, NI is changing and the non-sectarian vote is growing smaller. Long be the day that the people of NI stop the Orange vs Green nonsense. Nothing will change even if SF get the first minister job, as it has no more power than the deputy minister.
SDLP described as "toast" in Upper Bann, ouch.
Gosh.
Sensational if true.
You will have a fair idea of the trend today, but last counts could go into Sunday.
When is it likely there be an indication of likely result...
Honestly, if you think the surge to the Alliance is a surge in the middle ground and not a surge of disgruntled Unionist votes looking for a temp home mainly then I am not going to try and dissuade.
It's a fantasy. I notice the SDLP have dropped out of your 'non sectarian' list. 😁 Funny and very transparent.
Sinn Fein appears to not have gain any votes, its just that there is a big move to the non-sectarian parties in Alliance and the Greens, PBP to a lesser extent.
DUP squeezed this election, SF will be next on the chopping block.
???
And you agree with them, if you promote their propaganda that must be the conclusion.
The funny thing is Boris who everyone here think is a bumbling fool has outmanouvered all politicians on this island North and South... He seems to be the only one who really really wants a UI... He wants to get to fcuk out of here and i dont blame him... The whole political current game for all politicians in this Island as we will have to do politics properly...
Are SF really able to lead as if they have most seats they have no choice... Interesting times ahead...
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