The SDLP

[Pub Bore]

SDLp folding and SF moving to 35% will do nothing to progress a UI. You already have the likes of Shirlow who does the polls for Liverpool uni claiming the middle ground are all unionist (pathetic I know but no f#cker on TV or radio ever challenges his nonsense), if these polls are being used in anyway to gauge the need for a border poll then it ain't happening.

Agree that Shirlow talks a load of shite, confirmation bias of the first order.

[Duine Inteacht Eile]

More to the resignation than meets the eye?

[GTP]

What have been the big plays for the SDLP in recent years?
You could substitute SDLP with any other party operating in the north and  remove recent from the question, it would still warrant a rhetorical answer of none.

[thewobbler]

What have been the big plays for the SDLP in recent years?
You could substitute SDLP with any other party operating in the north and  remove recent from the question, it would still warrant a rhetorical answer of none.

There are no big plays available.

As mentioned in another thread, elections in NI are now little more than a glorified census.

Nothing happens, nothing changes, nothing moves forward after an election. And nor can it. The real decisions are handled in Westminster. NI's politicians serve only marginally more purpose than acting as a wall between lobbyists and decision makers.

[seafoid]

What have been the big plays for the SDLP in recent years?
You could substitute SDLP with any other party operating in the north and  remove recent from the question, it would still warrant a rhetorical answer of none.

There are no big plays available.

As mentioned in another thread, elections in NI are now little more than a glorified census.

Nothing happens, nothing changes, nothing moves forward after an election. And nor can it. The real decisions are handled in Westminster. NI's politicians serve only marginally more purpose than acting as a wall between lobbyists and decision makers.

Except after the 2017 election when the Tories had a minority and the DUP named its price. SF could have replaced them but they don't take their seats.

[Snapchap]

What have been the big plays for the SDLP in recent years?
You could substitute SDLP with any other party operating in the north and  remove recent from the question, it would still warrant a rhetorical answer of none.

There are no big plays available.

As mentioned in another thread, elections in NI are now little more than a glorified census.

Nothing happens, nothing changes, nothing moves forward after an election. And nor can it. The real decisions are handled in Westminster. NI's politicians serve only marginally more purpose than acting as a wall between lobbyists and decision makers.

Except after the 2017 election when the Tories had a minority and the DUP named its price. SF could have replaced them but they don't take their seats.

What?! The tories did a confidence and supply deal with the DUP and, in a shock to nobody except the DUP, proceeded to shaft them. You think the Tories would have willingly entered into an agreement with a party they and their voters regard as the IRA in suits? And then honoured it? You think SF should drop their overwhelmingly endorsed/popular abstentionist policy on the off-chance that once a generation (at the very outside) they just might get to hold a balance of power for a few months or years before getting shafted a la DUP?

You claim the DUP named its price? They named it alright, but they didn't get paid. Did they secure a hard British border in Ireland? No. Did they stop the Irish Sea border? No. All they did was split their party.

No harm to you seafoid, but in your efforts to defend the notion of Irish politicians sitting in Westminster, you've really posted some nonsense here today.

Next you'll be telling us that Baroness Richie is performing a crucial service for us all by sitting in the Lords.

[Armagh18]

What have been the big plays for the SDLP in recent years?
You could substitute SDLP with any other party operating in the north and  remove recent from the question, it would still warrant a rhetorical answer of none.

There are no big plays available.

As mentioned in another thread, elections in NI are now little more than a glorified census.

Nothing happens, nothing changes, nothing moves forward after an election. And nor can it. The real decisions are handled in Westminster. NI's politicians serve only marginally more purpose than acting as a wall between lobbyists and decision makers.

Except after the 2017 election when the Tories had a minority and the DUP named its price. SF could have replaced them but they don't take their seats.

What?! The tories did a confidence and supply deal with the DUP and, in a shock to nobody except the DUP, proceeded to shaft them. You think the Tories would have willingly entered into an agreement with a party they and their voters regard as the IRA in suits? And then honoured it? You think SF should drop their overwhelmingly endorsed/popular abstentionist policy on the off-chance that once a generation (at the very outside) they just might get to hold a balance of power for a few months or years before getting shafted a la DUP?

You claim the DUP named its price? They named it alright, but they didn't get paid. Did they secure a hard British border in Ireland? No. Did they stop the Irish Sea border? No. All they did was split their party.

No harm to you seafoid, but in your efforts to defend the notion of Irish politicians sitting in Westminster, you've really posted some nonsense here today.

Next you'll be telling us that Baroness Richie is performing a crucial service for us all by sitting in the Lords.

The suggestion of SF taking their seats instead of the DUP to do a deal with the Tories didn't even deserve a response but you've nailed it there to be fair.

[Sportacus]

What have been the big plays for the SDLP in recent years?
You could substitute SDLP with any other party operating in the north and  remove recent from the question, it would still warrant a rhetorical answer of none.

There are no big plays available.

As mentioned in another thread, elections in NI are now little more than a glorified census.

Nothing happens, nothing changes, nothing moves forward after an election. And nor can it. The real decisions are handled in Westminster. NI's politicians serve only marginally more purpose than acting as a wall between lobbyists and decision makers.

Except after the 2017 election when the Tories had a minority and the DUP named its price. SF could have replaced them but they don't take their seats.

What?! The tories did a confidence and supply deal with the DUP and, in a shock to nobody except the DUP, proceeded to shaft them. You think the Tories would have willingly entered into an agreement with a party they and their voters regard as the IRA in suits? And then honoured it? You think SF should drop their overwhelmingly endorsed/popular abstentionist policy on the off-chance that once a generation (at the very outside) they just might get to hold a balance of power for a few months or years before getting shafted a la DUP?

You claim the DUP named its price? They named it alright, but they didn't get paid. Did they secure a hard British border in Ireland? No. Did they stop the Irish Sea border? No. All they did was split their party.

No harm to you seafoid, but in your efforts to defend the notion of Irish politicians sitting in Westminster, you've really posted some nonsense here today.

Next you'll be telling us that Baroness Richie is performing a crucial service for us all by sitting in the Lords.

By this logic there's not much hope for Casement £££

[Caitlin]

Nationalism still needs the SDLP. If the SDLP finished then yes some more votes would go to SF but even more would would go to Alliance who will not forward the UI project one bit. People hoping for the SDLp demise are as daft as the unionists calling for unionist unity or a single party it will only result in a decrease in return

Those SDLP voters who go to Alliance wouldn't vote for a UI anyway.  This can only be good news for SF.  Claire Hanna is about as interested in a UI as Jim Allister.  Her Belfast centric approach may actually attract a few Alliance voters in the short term but will push places like Foyle, East Derry and Upper Bann towards SF.

Pub Bore , you really are living up to your name.
This pathetic click-bait attempt has obviously worked for me, so maybe I'm as bad!
I haven't always voted SDLP but Claire Hanna is the best politician in the six counties and is living the values that will bring about a UI quicker than any other representative. She is courageous and principled, and if she decides to stand, I believe the chances of a UI in my lifetime will increase dramatically.

[Snapchap]

Pub Bore , you really are living up to your name.
This pathetic click-bait attempt has obviously worked for me, so maybe I'm as bad!
I haven't always voted SDLP but Claire Hanna is the best politician in the six counties and is living the values that will bring about a UI quicker than any other representative. She is courageous and principled, and if she decides to stand, I believe the chances of a UI in my lifetime will increase dramatically.

LOL!!!

If you think Claire Hanna, the leader or a policial minnow of a party and who's party abstains from the executive but who does not abstain from sitting in a meaningless role in London, wields that sort of influence over the constitutional future of this nation, I've a bridge to Scotland to sell you!!

[Sportacus]

Pub Bore , you really are living up to your name.
This pathetic click-bait attempt has obviously worked for me, so maybe I'm as bad!
I haven't always voted SDLP but Claire Hanna is the best politician in the six counties and is living the values that will bring about a UI quicker than any other representative. She is courageous and principled, and if she decides to stand, I believe the chances of a UI in my lifetime will increase dramatically.

LOL!!!

If you think Claire Hanna, the leader or a policial minnow of a party and who's party abstains from the executive but who does not abstain from sitting in a meaningless role in London, wields that sort of influence over the constitutional future of this nation, I've a bridge to Scotland to sell you!!

1. The SDLP in opposition in the Executive are playing a very important role in scrutinising the carve up decisions (or lack of) that are made by the others.
2. They remain important to offer nationalists a choice, and retain/grow an overall nationalist vote.
3. They aren't abstaining from the Executive, they aren't eligible.

[Snapchap]

1. The SDLP in opposition in the Executive are playing a very important role in scrutinising the carve up decisions that are made by the others.

Sounds like nothing more than a slogan lifted from an election flyer.

2. They remain important to offer nationalists a choice, and retain/grow an overall nationalist vote.

Made the same point myself yesterday. Much and all as I find them objectionable, an extinct SDLP does nothing to maintain/build the Nationalist vote share.

3. They aren't abstaining from the Executive, they aren't eligible.

Correct, my apologies. Maybe they would be if their current and next leader spent a bit more time in Ireland and a bit less time in England.

[Sportacus]

1. The SDLP in opposition in the Executive are playing a very important role in scrutinising the carve up decisions that are made by the others.

Sounds like nothing more than a slogan lifted from an election flyer.

2. They remain important to offer nationalists a choice, and retain/grow an overall nationalist vote.

Made the same point myself yesterday. Much and all as I find them objectionable, an extinct SDLP does nothing to maintain/build the Nationalist vote share.

3. They aren't abstaining from the Executive, they aren't eligible.

Correct, my apologies. Maybe they would be if their current and next leader spent a bit more time in Ireland and a bit less time in England.

Two outta three ain't bad.