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Quote from: Copps is Magic on July 09, 2018, 04:41:57 pmThis was all eminently clear when she lost her majority and mandate at the last election. But shr trundled along regardless.That was different. She could continue in Denial Mode. Something might have turned up. Plus, she was a useful lightning conductor for the rest of the party. She had f**ked up tgeir position and no one wanted to be responsible for sorting out the mess. Now it’s different. There’s no time for anything to turn up to save her. Her pride and her reputation and her position in the history books are all irrevocably destroyed. She thought she could control the destructive centripetal forces in the Tory party but they have destroyed her. She has nothing left. Word is that as we speak, she’s being given an ultimatum by Brexit supporting MPs: Dutch the Chequers agreement and go for something harder or we are ousting you. Her authority and her self-respect are in pieces. What is the point in her agreeing to an ultimatum like that, knowing that it would be rejected either by Brussels or by Parliament? Far better to gather what pride you have left and be the mistress of your own destiny.
This was all eminently clear when she lost her majority and mandate at the last election. But shr trundled along regardless.
The smuggling is still going on and has been for years - where do you think the majority of the money raised from selling smuggling fags goes? Across the Irish Sea, that's where. There's been many a time I've listened with interest when I've been in pubs with some of the local hard men talking about 'no surrender' when they were smoking the fags that funded the IRA.
Wilts and HoolaMy opinion for what it is worth.Having lived in Northern Ireland for 5 years now, and talking to people over here, I don’t think anyone believes that the old troubles will return at the level they were before. It has to be remembered that when the Troubles started in 1969 there was real discrimination and inequality for Catholics, so they had a real cause, and consequently their paramilitaries had wide support from their communities. Loyalist paramilitaries also had similar support from their communities. The drastically improved peaceful situation over the last 20 years means no communities want to go back the the all out violence, and IMHO it really is a few hotheads unsupported by their communities these days. Also there is always tension in the marching season, not only L/Derry but also Belfast has seen problems. In Belfast bonfires have gotten completely out of hand with respect to size and proximity to residential buildings, and there has been a reaction by other hotheads to the authorities trying to curb this.Brexit has put political wind in republican’s sails, but the lack of devolved parliament here was due to a row over a botched renewable heating scheme, not Brexit. Also IMHO, a lack of the right personalities in senior positions is letting us down. I never thought I would ever say it, but we miss Martin McGuiness and Ian Paisley Senior and their surprising good personal chemistry.It is interesting that republicans voted by about 80-20 to remain, keeping the North close to RoI. Most Unionists only thought would have been to vote against anything wanted by Republicans, so voted leave by about 60-40. I think it is fair to say all parties in NI are worried about Brexit’s negative effect on trade, tourism and investment, all of which are at levels not dreamed about 20 years ago. The film industry, led by Game of Thrones, is now a major factor over here.Another thing unifying everyone here is that absolutely everyone is annoyed that all Uk politicians have ignored, minimised, underestimated the problem of the continued open border outside of Customs Union and Single market.Just my own feelings on the ground over here.
Quote from: Glyn_Wigley on July 12, 2018, 01:23:11 pmThe smuggling is still going on and has been for years - where do you think the majority of the money raised from selling smuggling fags goes? Across the Irish Sea, that's where. There's been many a time I've listened with interest when I've been in pubs with some of the local hard men talking about 'no surrender' when they were smoking the fags that funded the IRA.They only have to sit tight, it's not going to be long before the Catholics become the majority.Glyn thanks for that correction it did read as if it would be starting up but what I meant to indicate was that there would be an acceleration in the process at a time when some might think of pressing for that ultimate dream of a United Ireland . I think they used to label it somewhat affectionately " runs for guns ". There never has been a better time with some disaffected young Protestants possibly more pro- Remain and perhaps more open to the idea of a " United Ireland " than their Protestant communities would care to admit ! Certainly the Catholics would appear to have the numbers if a push for a Referendum began.
Bst while you may be right as I’ve said in other posts John McDonell wanted a certain people in the ira to be given honours, why don’t you want rid of him? It baffles me while may might be incompetent she is nothing like him, if you can support him thank god I don’t live in your world
Apart from Idler, I have still not read any other Brexiteer explain their reason or a reason that makes any sense or a reason that stands scrutiny, why Britain should leave the EU.It's this lack of being able to articulate a sensible position for themselves or the country that makes me wonder if there is an underlying reason they don't wish to openly discuss or that they are embarrassed about being duped and made to look like complete and utter idiots by the likes of Farago and his ilk and they feel they cannot now change their positions.
Hi HoolsI think any effect within Unionists that you describe is currently more than counter-balanced by the fact that far from all Catholics want a United Ireland. I’ll see if I can find the source later, but in a recent poll a majority of people in Northern Ireland were against a so called ‘Border Poll’, and surprisingly few Nationalists (less than 70% I think) wanted the poll. Nevertheless there is definitely the feel of a demographic ticking time-bomb.Right now I am more annoyed at the President of the USA interfering in our politics to an unacceptable degree, whatever the failings of our current leader and party. I wonder where Trump learned that from?Edit: An article (there are many more) on the Poll I was referring to. Your comments are not wrong in that the type of Brexit is seen as an issue, but indeed not all Nationalists are united on this.https://sluggerotoole.com/2018/05/21/border-poll-recedes-as-polls-show-nationalist-support-for-unity-hinges-on-brexit-outcome/
Boomstick Why are you so obsessed about people’s opinions, and not interested in the predictions by people whose job it is to study these things.When you get on a plane, do you go round the passengers asking what their opinion is on the airworthiness of the plane? Or do you trust the skills of the people whose job it is to assess it?
Quote from: BillyStubbsTears on July 13, 2018, 10:29:41 amBoomstick Why are you so obsessed about people’s opinions, and not interested in the predictions by people whose job it is to study these things.When you get on a plane, do you go round the passengers asking what their opinion is on the airworthiness of the plane? Or do you trust the skills of the people whose job it is to assess it?Billy he probably parachutes out .
There’s no question that he’s repeating Farage’s lies about UK politics. They are two peas in a pod and big buddies. Not least because Farage was one of the ones who smoothed the path between Trump and the Russians. There was an example a few weeks ago of Farage making some outrageous lie about the NHS on Fox News. Within a couple of hours, Trump was repeating the same lie.
Quote from: hoolahoop on July 13, 2018, 11:21:34 amQuote from: BillyStubbsTears on July 13, 2018, 10:29:41 amBoomstick Why are you so obsessed about people’s opinions, and not interested in the predictions by people whose job it is to study these things.When you get on a plane, do you go round the passengers asking what their opinion is on the airworthiness of the plane? Or do you trust the skills of the people whose job it is to assess it?Billy he probably parachutes out .Not without asking everyone for their opinion of the workmanship of the parachute maker!
Almost as if you don't want people to take you seriously...
Quote from: BillyStubbsTears on July 13, 2018, 10:29:41 amBoomstick Why are you so obsessed about people’s opinions, and not interested in the predictions by people whose job it is to study these things.When you get on a plane, do you go round the passengers asking what their opinion is on the airworthiness of the plane? Or do you trust the skills of the people whose job it is to assess it?why not answer the question? Just trying to understand the remoaner side of the argument.
Quote from: bpoolrover on July 13, 2018, 02:13:58 amBst while you may be right as I’ve said in other posts John McDonell wanted a certain people in the ira to be given honours, why don’t you want rid of him? It baffles me while may might be incompetent she is nothing like him, if you can support him thank god I don’t live in your world Not really sure how any of this is to do with Brexit.
Quote from: RedJ on July 13, 2018, 09:19:07 amQuote from: bpoolrover on July 13, 2018, 02:13:58 amBst while you may be right as I’ve said in other posts John McDonell wanted a certain people in the ira to be given honours, why don’t you want rid of him? It baffles me while may might be incompetent she is nothing like him, if you can support him thank god I don’t live in your world Not really sure how any of this is to do with Brexit.You are quite correct Blackpool in that yes McDonnell did call for for former IRA men to be honoured. What you appear to have missed though is that he has has said he was wrong and has apologised for saying it on several ocassions since.And yes again you are correct he is very different to May. For instance he has not deported dozens of British pensioners, removing their pensions rights and leaving them with no means of supporting themselves in the process, to countries they never lived or last lived in as infants. Nor has he allowed the sale of munitions in the knowledge they would be passed on to terrorist groups including ISIS.And yes it does have to do with Brexit in that McDonnell has constantly warned against any sort of Brexit deal (or no-deal) that imposes a border in Ireland. As he knows the possible/probable risks that will bring and he does not want to see a return to violence on the island. Again as you say, he appears to know a bit about what goes on there.You and Mrs May (lest we forget no deal is still better than a bad deal) appear to think these warnings are fake and there is nothing to worry about. John McDonnell is backed up in his concerns by the Police Service of Northern Ireland - who are you backed up by? Boomstick & Jacob Rees Mogg?Thanks to Dutch Uncle for your views on the situation. My somewhat more pessimistic point of view is that the there are clearly people in NI who will use any small point of tension for their own gain. It's 6 nights of rioting in Derry now, cars and buses burnt out and a bomb thrown in Belfast. Who knows where that might go? On a united Ireland, this poll, which is later than your Dutch, appears to suggest more people in the north now support it than they do staying in the UK.https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-united-ireland-referendum-northern-border-uk-yougov-poll-a8389086.html