Brussels Sprout wrote: » Congratulations to Sinn Fein. It takes some political machine to convince people that it is in their best interests to vote for somebody who isn't actually going to represent them in parliament.
Camelot wrote: » A great day for SF indeed, but it's not necessarily a great day for the other parties & the 'Non Shinners' people who live in Fermanagh & South Tyrone, but who will continue to have NO VOICE at the heart of Government!
ardmacha wrote: » There's no hurry, after almost 900 years another decade or so will not be a major problem.
Over the next 10 years the British government will have pumped another GBP50bn into NI to keep the economy afloat
The RoI could go the same way as Greece
dlofnep wrote: » Devolution didn't require a seat in Westminster. It required hard work on behalf on SF.
ardmacha wrote: » Good. They should be required to leave the place in good order. It could, but so could the UK. The ROI has grown faster than the UK in every decade since 1960, this decade won't be any different.
sitstill wrote: » I've never really understood this. If Sinn Fein MPs don't take their seats in Westminster, then how do they properly represent their constituents? Do they take part in votes in the Commons?
dlofnep wrote: » How was devolution of policing & justice delivered?
But don't comment on the third of Catholics who support the union.
Happy Monday wrote: » But don't comment on the third of Catholics who support the union.
Happy Monday wrote: » I'm hoping SF call a border poll now in NI. They would soon see how likely a United Ireland is by 2016. Would be 65-35 in favour of remaining in the UK. And 35% of Catholics would vote in favour of the United Kingdom. But, alas, these are the reasons why SF won't call a border poll.
ardmacha wrote: » At present 99% of people in Ireland support the Union as the conditions to end it set out in the GFA do not presently exist. There isn't one third of NI Catholics who support the Union in the sense of not wanting arrangements to be made to end it. I expect some do, but more Protestants support a United Ireland. The idea that there is large number of nationalist voters who want the Union or that a nationalist majority can exist for long period without that leading to the end of the Union is nonsense, but if it gives you some hope then cling to that by all means.
sitstill wrote: » I don't know.
dermothickey wrote: » Last time I checked most people in Ireland support the republic.."why" Im looking at a box of cigs here with a Harp on it, says something about Irish excise duty on it.
Bond-007 wrote: » There are catholics that are also unionists. Something that SF have to deal with. These catholics don't want a united ireland.
KeithAFC wrote: » Gerry Kelly should run the gun party in memory of the police officer he shot in the head in cold blood.
dlofnep wrote: » There are protestants who are nationalists. So what?
dlofnep wrote: » it was delivered by Sinn Féin without ever taking a seat in Westminster. Sinn Féin are able to represent their constituents just fine. The more they push for more devolved power, the more they will be able to do for them. Having 5 seats in Westminster will do nothing, especially with a Tory lead Government. People seem to mis-represent the importance of taking a seat in Westminster for nationalists. It is of no importance to them, because they can't initiate change from Westminster - but they can initiate change at a local level as they continue to push for devolved powers.
Bond-007 wrote: » Just pointing out that Catholics are not universally nationalists as some people would like to think.
amacachi wrote: » It was a Northern Irish issue though, I was under the impression it only came through negotiations in NI and had basically nothing to do with the House of Commons.
amacachi wrote: » Also, come the next assembly elections the DUP will most likely be on top again, Unionists didn't really bother getting out to vote in a lot of constituencies this year.
FlutterinBantam wrote: » To achieve anything one has to be in the seat of power and get involved.
FlutterinBantam wrote: » The seat of power is Westminster and they are cheating their supporters and deluding themselves if they, and their bagmen think that by refusing to take part, they further the cause of the people who voted for them.
dlofnep wrote: » Not when you hold 5 seats, as a nationalist party out of a house which has 100's of seats. You do not have the political standing to initiate anything. You say one has to be in a seat of power - but Sinn Féin have accomplished enough without ever having taking their seat. They don't need to take their seat, because the negotiate directly. This is the only way nationalists will ever have true representation. No, they are not cheating their supporters. Their supporters understand very clear their policy on abstentionism, and vote knowing so. If it was an issue, they would vote for the SDLP. It's obviously a non-issue, because the SDLP are slipping into obscurity, and as much as it hurts you to accept - Sinn Féin are now the largest party in the north. A giant-step from the gerrymandered vote that once existed.
FlutterinBantam wrote: » The time is at hand when the Shinners and their bagmen will have to do something off their own bat. Anyone with a modicum of understanding will realise that the UK Govt. will not treat these people differently once normality has been achieved. Painting oneself into a corner is a strategy of limited effectiveness and I would suggest that the UK Govt. will change their approach to the Shinners fairly rapido. If they have any sense.
FlutterinBantam wrote: » I gather by that reply you are not prepared to back up your stance?
