What would happen if a Unionist ran for the Irish Presidency?

whubee · 14-09-2011 07:54PM

a kick in the balls/flaps is what would happen.

steddyeddy · 14-09-2011 08:07PM

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

Here's a clue, Douglas Hyde and Erskine Childers were both Protestants.

Protestent =/= unionist though

NSNO · 14-09-2011 08:07PM

I suppose it would depend on the type of Unionist. A Union Flag-waving Orangeman would be laughed out of whatever room he first broached the idea in.

However, if David Norris' letter to the Israeli judge had never come to light then he would've stood a very good chance of being elected. As someone in favour of at the very least looking at the issue of Commonwealth membership, combined with his accent and his Anglicanism, he might be the closest thing to a 'unionist' that would stand a chance at becoming President.

steddyeddy · 14-09-2011 08:08PM

wolfpawnat wrote: »

Indeed many of Irelands greatest republicans were, hell Sam MaGuire got a cup named after him and he was Protestant!

Protestant does not always suggest Unionist, nor does Catholic always suggest Nationalist

Indeed particularly in the south of ireland were we lack the degree of sectarianism.

headmaster · 14-09-2011 08:14PM

A protestant has already held the office, or am I mistaken? Oops, i've gone back over the posts and had my query answered. Anyway, it would be great to see it happen as they would be under OUR RULE AND WOULD DO OUR BIDDING. Now, that would be worth it, hell yeah.;)

steddyeddy · 14-09-2011 08:21PM

headmaster wrote: »

A prodestant has already held the office, or am I mistaken?

True but as I say were lucky that unlike some places in the north we dont assign political terms to people of a certain religion.

Capt'n Midnight · 14-09-2011 09:05PM

mike65 wrote: »

Obviously they are, if a gay can....it would be interesting to see who was subject to greater bigotry

A Gay ? There was more than one on the cards. Actually if you think about it the possible candidates include all kinds of everything.

Capt'n Midnight · 14-09-2011 09:16PM

Hyde was our first president back in 1938. Ireland back then wasn't quite as liberal as it is today. So I reckon it's a fair comparison.

Anyways all anyone has to do to get on the ballot sheet is
http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=15

To be a candidate a citizen must be over 35 years of age and must be nominated either by:

Not less than 20 members of Dáil or Seanad Éireann, or
Not less than 4 administrative counties (including County Boroughs)

Former or retiring Presidents may become candidates on their own nomination.

paky · 14-09-2011 09:53PM

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

Hyde was our first president back in 1938. Ireland back then wasn't quite as liberal as it is today. So I reckon it's a fair comparison.

Anyways all anyone has to do to get on the ballot sheet is
http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=15

all people in the north are entitled to irish citizenship

woodoo · 14-09-2011 09:57PM

paky wrote: »

funny enough, there are many protestants in cork even around clonalkilty of all places! still, just because they are protestants does not mean they would vote unionist.

The Munster Plantations were quite large too. From 1590 on.

Liam Byrne · 14-09-2011 09:57PM

mike65 wrote: »

Obviously they are, if a gay can....it would be interesting to see who was subject to greater bigotry

I haven't seen any bigotry towards any gay person......I have however seen rightful contempt for someone who acted inappropriately.

As for a unionist candidate - that aspect of their preferences would mean nothing to me - it would depend on their decency and capability and what they condoned just like any other candidate - which is precisely why a unionist would have a chance of a vote.

paddyandy · 14-09-2011 10:01PM

A nice gesture to our neighbours if a suitable candidate were found.I don't know who that would be though.

woodoo · 14-09-2011 10:03PM

paddyandy wrote: »

I don't know who that would be though.

How about old "Never Never Never" himself for the craic.

paky · 14-09-2011 10:05PM

peter robinson or sammy wilson?

charlemont · 14-09-2011 10:10PM

The shower of crap that are running at the moment would have some competition.

Celly Smunt · 14-09-2011 10:12PM

if a unionist was clearly the best person for the job and could take a load of hardship off Ireland,Irish people would still be too stubborn to vote the right person in.

Mike 1972 · 14-09-2011 10:30PM

I wouldnt totally rule out the possibility of a Unionist ever being elected the presidency. For example the Late Gordon Wilson IIRC was a Unionist and was generally well regarded as an Irish senator.Had the opportunity presented itself its not too far out to imagine him being serious contender for the presidency.

paky wrote: »

all people in the north are entitled to irish citizenship

Not quite.

In fact there are even people in the "South" who are not entitled to Irish citizenship.

paky · 14-09-2011 10:31PM

Mike 1972 wrote: »

I wouldnt totally rule out the possibility of a Unionist ever being elected the presidency. For example the Late Gordon Wilson IIRC was a Unionist and was generally well regarded as an Irish senator.Had the opportunity presented itself its not too far out to imagine him being serious contender for the presidency.

Not quite.

In fact there are even people in the "South" who are not entitled to Irish citizenship

even so, shouldnt unionists be encouraged to run candidates in the general election?

Celly Smunt · 14-09-2011 10:34PM

paky wrote: »

even so, shouldnt unionists be encouraged to run candidates in the general election?

they don't get much encouragment though do they?

Wolfe Tone · 14-09-2011 10:36PM

Liam Byrne wrote: »

I haven't seen any bigotry towards any gay person......I have however seen rightful contempt for someone who acted inappropriately.

As for a unionist candidate - that aspect of their preferences would mean nothing to me - it would depend on their decency and capability and what they condoned just like any other candidate - which is precisely why a unionist would have a chance of a vote.

A unionist who would desire the abolition of the state they are running to be head of? Wouldn't have thought you would be a fan of that.

paky · 14-09-2011 10:38PM

pmcmahon wrote: »

they don't get much encouragment though do they?

obviously not but its up to the unionists at the end of the day to decide.

i think since the foundation of this state there has been some sort of denial in irish society of our past british heritage. its no wonder the unionists dont want anything to do with the south

KeithAFC · 14-09-2011 10:38PM

This thread is baffling. Unionists are anti Republican. Why would they look to be head of state of that country.

laoch na mona · 14-09-2011 10:39PM

pmcmahon wrote: »

if a unionist was clearly the best person for the job and could take a load of hardship off Ireland,Irish people would still be too stubborn to vote the right person in.

a unionist fundamentally could never be the best person as they oppose the irish state they would set about dismantling our independce

Mike 1972 · 14-09-2011 10:40PM

paky wrote: »

even so, shouldnt unionists be encouraged to run candidates in the general election?

Of course.

Unionist candidates have run in various constituencies in the Republic right up to the late 1980's although as far as Im aware there havent been any Unionist TD's since the late 1920's.

KeithAFC wrote: »

This thread is baffling. Unionists are anti Republican. Why would they look to be head of state of that country.

For the same reason that Nationalist and/or Republican candidates contest elections in the United Kingdom perhaps ? And its not beyond the realms of possibility that a Unionist could also be a Republican.

Its also possible that a moderate Unionist could stand for election on issues totally unrelated to Unionism/Nationalism.

Celly Smunt · 14-09-2011 10:41PM

laoch na mona wrote: »

a unionist fundamentally could never be the best person as they oppose the irish state they would set about dismantling our independce

the president protects the Irish constitution,it would take a referendum for the abolishment of the state.

A unionist in charge though is totally contradictory i'll grant you that,but plausible on character and policy.

paky · 14-09-2011 10:42PM

Wolfe Tone wrote: »

A unionist who would desire the abolition of the state they are running to be head of? Wouldn't have thought you would be a fan of that.

well in keeping with the spirit of republicanism shouldnt every person have the right to determine their political aspirations?
lets face it, alot of things in the south would have to change if we are to move forward to a united ireland.
encouraging unionists to run in the south could provide us with a template of how a united ireland may look?

Celly Smunt · 14-09-2011 10:42PM

paky wrote: »

obviously not but its up to the unionists at the end of the day to decide.

i think since the foundation of this state there has been some sort of denial in irish society of our past british heritage. its no wonder the unionists dont want anything to do with the south

I agree,i think ever since the declaration people seem to forget that modern Ireland stemed from Britain whether they like it or not

woodoo · 14-09-2011 10:43PM

paky wrote: »

peter robinson or sammy wilson?

Big Ian Paisley

@ Keith its only a laugh. Nobody seriously would vote a Unionist as President.

Wolfe Tone · 14-09-2011 10:53PM

paky wrote: »

well in keeping with the spirit of republicanism shouldnt every person have the right to determine their political aspirations?
lets face it, alot of things in the south would have to change if we are to move forward to a united ireland.
encouraging unionists to run in the south could provide us with a template of how a united ireland may look?

How would you encourage them? Sure they can run if they want, I certainly wont be voting for them.

mike65 · 14-09-2011 10:57PM

As its a non job with no power the proposition is quite hypothetical in any event as regards the national question.

What would happen if a Unionist ran for the Irish Presidency?

Comments