Sinn Fein? They have gone away, you know.

[omagh_gael]

What has happened here? Did they f**k up their figures during the Christmas talks and only realising the repercussions now? Doesn't look good for them at the minute.

[Kidder81]

What has happened here? Did they f**k up their figures during the Christmas talks and only realising the repercussions now? Doesn't look good for them at the minute.

Don't think it's anything to do with figures or mitigations for benefit customers, it's obviously political, I just can't work out why they are doing it now.

[stiffler]

It was clear when the agreement was made that the £ wasn't there to ensure no one would lose any benefits.

Why did it take SF so long to realise this publically?

[Kidder81]

Would say the £700m for public sector voluntary exit scheme will now be withdrawn

[Kidder81]

It was clear when the agreement was made that the £ wasn't there to ensure no one would lose any benefits.

Why did it take SF so long to realise this publically?

Pretty sure they have known about the £££, welfare reform is obviously troubling for someone at the top in SF, my guess is Adams pulled the whole thing. Tellingly they where still selling the Stormont House agreement at the Ard Fheis in Derry at the weekend

[armaghniac]

It was clear when the agreement was made that the £ wasn't there to ensure no one would lose any benefits.

Why did it take SF so long to realise this publically?

Pretty sure they have known about the £££, welfare reform is obviously troubling for someone at the top in SF, my guess is Adams pulled the whole thing. Tellingly they where still selling the Stormont House agreement at the Ard Fheis in Derry at the weekend

The situation with SF is that they don't want to be in the next Freestate government. This means that they can keep talking bollix and promising people stuff from the money tree for another 4 or 5 years. The NI administration has to actually govern however, and make things work in practice. But Adams keeps landing in saying you can't do this or you can't do that because somebody might point out these comprises, rather than the bollix, is what would have to happen in the South if they were in government. It is extremely cynical. The NI public expenditure situation is unsustainable and what is needed is a measured retreat rather than political point scoring. But also the biggest obstacle to a united Ireland, supposedly an aim of importance of SF, is that NI can't be funded in its present condition yet Adams is doing everything to ensure that nothing will be done to change this.

[muppet]

It was clear when the agreement was made that the £ wasn't there to ensure no one would lose any benefits.

Why did it take SF so long to realise this publically?

Pretty sure they have known about the £££, welfare reform is obviously troubling for someone at the top in SF, my guess is Adams pulled the whole thing. Tellingly they where still selling the Stormont House agreement at the Ard Fheis in Derry at the weekend

The situation with SF is that they don't want to be in the next Freestate government. This means that they can keep talking bollix and promising people stuff from the money tree for another 4 or 5 years. The NI administration has to actually govern however, and make things work in practice. But Adams keeps landing in saying you can't do this or you can't do that because somebody might point out these comprises, rather than the bollix, is what would have to happen in the South if they were in government. It is extremely cynical. The NI public expenditure situation is unsustainable and what is needed is a measured retreat rather than political point scoring. But also the biggest obstacle to a united Ireland, supposedly an aim of importance of SF, is that NI can't be funded in its present condition yet Adams is doing everything to ensure that nothing will be done to change this.

I think it may be the opposite. Sinn Féin and SIPTU seem desperate to get into bed with each other. Barely a week goes by without the unelected Jack O'Connor eulogising Sinn Féin as both position themselves for the coming election. The manifesto will be very left wing and agreeing with the Stormont House Agreement would look ludicrous by comparison. 20,000 jobs loses in the PS in the 6 counties, versus a likely promise to create 10s of thousands of PS jobs in the 26 counties.

This is all about Adams making it to Taoiseach/Táiniste and nothing else.

[armaghniac]

I think it may be the opposite. Sinn Féin and SIPTU seem desperate to get into bed with each other. Barely a week goes by without the unelected Jack O'Connor eulogising Sinn Féin as both position themselves for the coming election. The manifesto will be very left wing and agreeing with the Stormont House Agreement would look ludicrous by comparison. 20,000 jobs loses in the PS in the 6 counties, versus a likely promise to create 10s of thousands of PS jobs in the 26 counties.

This is all about Adams making it to Taoiseach/Táiniste and nothing else.

Of course SF would like this, but may not be able to achieve it. Who would coalesce with them? A few independents, FF would be admitting the end to go in a junior partner under Adams. They may be hoping to force FG and FF into a coalition where they lead the opposition and so get in the next time. This may not work either, of course, after the recent 7 bad years we might have 7 good years and people might see no need to take a chance on the Shinners.

[muppet]

I think it may be the opposite. Sinn Féin and SIPTU seem desperate to get into bed with each other. Barely a week goes by without the unelected Jack O'Connor eulogising Sinn Féin as both position themselves for the coming election. The manifesto will be very left wing and agreeing with the Stormont House Agreement would look ludicrous by comparison. 20,000 jobs loses in the PS in the 6 counties, versus a likely promise to create 10s of thousands of PS jobs in the 26 counties.

This is all about Adams making it to Taoiseach/Táiniste and nothing else.

Of course SF would like this, but may not be able to achieve it. Who would coalesce with them? A few independents, FF would be admitting the end to go in a junior partner under Adams. They may be hoping to force FG and FF into a coalition where they lead the opposition and so get in the next time. This may not work either, of course, after the recent 7 bad years we might have 7 good years and people might see no need to take a chance on the Shinners.

That is where SIPTU come in. They want an alliance of all left-leaning parties and independent TDs. That might get them close. After that anything is possible. Joe Higgins is campaigning vigorously against this as a) it would cost him seats and b) he doesn't want to ever go into Government as his pony's one trick is merely opposing something every few years.

[armaghniac]

That is where SIPTU come in. They want an alliance of all left-leaning parties and independent TDs. That might get them close. After that anything is possible. Joe Higgins is campaigning vigorously against this as a) it would cost him seats and b) he doesn't want to ever go into Government as his pony's one trick is merely opposing something every few years.

That alliance would be more fractious than GAABoard!

[muppet]

That is where SIPTU come in. They want an alliance of all left-leaning parties and independent TDs. That might get them close. After that anything is possible. Joe Higgins is campaigning vigorously against this as a) it would cost him seats and b) he doesn't want to ever go into Government as his pony's one trick is merely opposing something every few years.

That alliance would be more fractious than GAABoard!

It would, firstly they would be all fighting for the same vote in the election. Secondly, they would all be trying to get credit for the handouts to those same voters afterwards. Thirdly, they are all completely....eh never mind.

[armaghniac]

It would, firstly they would be all fighting for the same vote in the election. Secondly, they would all be trying to get credit for the handouts to those same voters afterwards. Thirdly, they are all completely....eh never mind.

Perhaps applying the latin, sinister might be the word you are looking for.

[bennydorano]

Charlatans of the highest order, unfortunately  the SDLP just seem to lurch from one cretinous leader to the next.

If someone started a political party for people who are apathetic and/or cycnical, they'd (ironically enough) sweep the boards

[Owenmoresider]

One interesting aside from their Derry shindig was that a motion was put forward urging party representatives and members to respect the national flag and to not be throwing it around at count centres and the like. It did pass, but only by 94 votes to 60, and they had to recount twice. Says a lot about that party and the mentality that exists within it, when you scratch away at the surface.

[Maguire01]

One interesting aside from their Derry shindig was that a motion was put forward urging party representatives and members to respect the national flag and to not be throwing it around at count centres and the like. It did pass, but only by 94 votes to 60, and they had to recount twice. Says a lot about that party and the mentality that exists within it, when you scratch away at the surface.

Is that an admission that they have been disrespecting it?