The saviour of the Union

[Dougal Maguire]

If only the loyalist/unionist fraternity could realise, the person who has the best chance of saving the Union is actually John McCallister . His liberal brand of unionism would appeal to a considerable number of moderate nationalists, who might be concerned about going into a united Ireland given the ultra right wing politics that exist there, and would be content with the status quo if there was a bit less of the in your face Britishness, in fact the people who Peter Robinson, in his head would like to reach out to but in his heart cannot

[T Fearon]

Problem is he would be a vote loser on unionist side,who never have nor will vote for moderate candidates,unfortunately.

[armaghniac]

who might be concerned about going into a united Ireland given the ultra right wing politics that exist there

Because you have a username based on a character with a tenuous grasp of reality does not mean that you have to post nonsense.

[theticklemister]

who might be concerned about going into a united Ireland given the ultra right wing politics that exist there

Because you have a username based on a character with a tenuous grasp of reality does not mean that you have to post nonsense.

Ireland has long been, and never will be inclined to left wing politics en mass. It wont matter what political stance the south take.
The important thing is that when a 32 county republic exists; it is the that a prefered state of the 32 counties can be formed.

[Dougal Maguire]

who might be concerned about going into a united Ireland given the ultra right wing politics that exist there

Because you have a username based on a character with a tenuous grasp of reality does not mean that you have to post nonsense.

and could you find a better description for those who drafted the last few budgets Or to describe Dev or the Progressive Democrats. Need I go on

[cadence]

dunno about ultra right wing, i wouldn't have a problem with anyone saying fine gael was a centre right party, and that fianna fail was slightly more centrist, but still fairly centre right.

[Seamroga in exile]

Tories the whole lot down there.

[armaghniac]

and could you find a better description for those who drafted the last few budgets Or to describe Dev or the Progressive Democrats. Need I go on

A state that offers social welfare at twice the levels paid in the 6 counties, where unemployment payments can be drawn indefinitely , cannot be described as ultra right wing by any person with any regard for the meaning of the English language.

There is a difference between right wing politics and realistic politics.

[Dougal Maguire]

It's all relative. The insistence of keeping income tax rates the same to protect the wealthy while increasing other charges universally cannot sit fairly with any right minded person

[armaghniac]

The insistence of keeping income tax rates the same to protect the wealthy while increasing other charges universally cannot sit fairly with any right minded person

It certainly can sit fairly with a logical person. Increased income tax reduces the incentive to work or do anything while increasing charges makes it clear that things cost, which is by and large desirable also.

[cadence]

and could you find a better description for those who drafted the last few budgets Or to describe Dev or the Progressive Democrats. Need I go on

A state that offers social welfare at twice the levels paid in the 6 counties, where unemployment payments can be drawn indefinitely, cannot be described as ultra right wing by any person with any regard for the meaning of the English language.

There is a difference between right wing politics and realistic politics.

you could argue that the realistic politics needed today, if you're comfortable with that phrase, has come about because of right wing politics though no?

[armaghniac]

if you're comfortable with that phrase, has come about because of right wing politics though no?

It has come about because of confused politics. Bertie reckoned he could both cut taxes and increase benefits and that he had discovered the perpetual motion economy.

The modern version of this confusion is that taxing the "wealthy", a relatively small number of people, is some kind of rational substitute for tax on the "ordinary families", which is most people.

Sadly, in Ireland people don't seem in least bit embarrassed about putting forward things that don't add up.

[lynchbhoy]

dunno about ultra right wing, i wouldn't have a problem with anyone saying fine gael was a centre right party, and that fianna fail was slightly more centrist, but still fairly centre right.

I'd agree with this above.
Sure the unionist/loyalists are right wing, as are the man parties in England.
Sinn Fein these days are more slightly left of centre than most but not left wing. Their 26 county branch may be slightly more left wing than the northern comrades

Only left wingers I can think of are Cuba, n Korea , maybe Russia and those Central American dictatorships- all these left wing governments are dictatorships.

Centre right gov promote commercialism - which is the only show on the planet these days - and is what will unify Ireland. People forget their fight when money is offered, as the unionist/loyalists showed by abandoning their rule to never never never cross the border until the lure of the Celtic tiger proved these principles are easily forgotten.

[armaghniac]

Centre right gov promote commercialism - which is the only show on the planet these days - and is what will unify Ireland

.

+1

The basic problem is that SF, who talk most about  a United Ireland, haven't the least idea how to bring it about as they are still stuck in handout mode.

[cadence]

if you're comfortable with that phrase, has come about because of right wing politics though no?

It has come about because of confused politics. Bertie reckoned he could both cut taxes and increase benefits and that he had discovered the perpetual motion economy.

The modern version of this confusion is that taxing the "wealthy", a relatively small number of people, is some kind of rational substitute for tax on the "ordinary families", which is most people.

Sadly, in Ireland people don't seem in least bit embarrassed about putting forward things that don't add up.

well, that's one way of looking at it. another way is that conservative politics tends to limit taxation and reduce government spending on public services.