Sinn Fein? They have gone away, you know.

[Hereiam]

Hard to see what the next play will be. Only hope is that brexit really fucks things up economically and Scotland vote to leave and the border poll goes ahead

[lawnseed]

Perhaps a joint stand down? Arlene steps aside and Michelle also. John o dowd steps up and perhaps Simon Hamilton. After all were either or both ladies to become pregnant that would involve them being off work for a considerable time and deputies would be the order of the day. So I don't really see it as a problem. As for Irish language act.. its not a deal breaker for me and certainly not a vote getter for Sinn Fein imo

[lawnseed]

The pregnant comment....

You also underestimate the Irish language vote, certainly where I vote anyway. They don't piss their pants over it for nothing, believe me.

Signs in Irish better than no signs at all.. rates bill in Irish.. I could live without.

[Never beat the deeler]

The pregnant comment....

You also underestimate the Irish language vote, certainly where I vote anyway. They don't piss their pants over it for nothing, believe me.

Any of you lads willing to take one (or two) for the team?

[hairyhog]

The IVF bill would be bigger than the RHI for anything to happen on that front

[Avondhu star]

Why should NI get a special deal more than Scotland or other parts of Britain that voted against Brexit?

Geography. These places do not have a land border.

It is well subsidised already by Westminster.

A special deal is more likely to reduce the subsidy than increase it, as it would maintain real economic activity.

The voters in Sunderland Birmingham etc wont accept any special deal being given to the most subsidised region of the UK. A land border in Ireland will not impact onthem

[armaghniac]

Unrest in the nest, some are going away
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/councillor-quits-sinn-fin-over-bullying-and-hostility-claims-35644187.html

[Minder]

Unrest in the nest, some are going away
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/councillor-quits-sinn-fin-over-bullying-and-hostility-claims-35644187.html

Equality, respect & integrity

[Avondhu star]

Unrest in the nest, some are going away
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/councillor-quits-sinn-fin-over-bullying-and-hostility-claims-35644187.html

At least they are not complaining about the cost of cosmetics like Sandra McClellan ex SF td who was also allegedly bullied out of SF

[armaghniac]

Unrest in the nest, some are going away
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/councillor-quits-sinn-fin-over-bullying-and-hostility-claims-35644187.html

At least they are not complaining about the cost of cosmetics like Sandra McClellan ex SF td who was also allegedly bullied out of SF

She should have asked Michelle O'Neill, who obviously buys cosmetics in bulk.

[Avondhu star]

Unrest in the nest, some are going away
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/councillor-quits-sinn-fin-over-bullying-and-hostility-claims-35644187.html

At least they are not complaining about the cost of cosmetics like Sandra McClellan ex SF td who was also allegedly bullied out of SF

She should have asked Michelle O'Neill, who obviously buys cosmetics in bulk.

Miaow miaow

[MoChara]

Gerry Adams 'ready to make way for McDonald as Sinn Fein chief'
By Staff Reporter
May 8 2017

Gerry Adams is prepared to hand over the leadership of Sinn Fein to Mary-Lou McDonald at its the party's next ard fheis, it has been reported.



The Sunday Times reported that senior TDs in the republican party foresee a seamless transition from the former West Belfast MP to his deputy in October or November.

"Gerry has been clear, this is a part in transition and he's got a timescale in his head," a party official told the newspaper.

"That is not a consideration for us in the timing of the ard fheis. The problem is that, every time we go to look at it, there is an election on the horizon."

Mr Adams (68) has been President of Sinn Fein since 1983, and there has been much speculation over when he would stand down.

If Dublin TD Ms McDonald were to succeed Mr Adams, it has been suggested that the vacancy for Deputy Leader could be taken by Donegal TD Pearse Doherty or Sinn Fein's Stormont leader, Michelle O'Neill.

Other Sinn Fein sources told the Sunday Times that the death of former Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness earlier this year could mean Mr Adams staying on to see through changes in the party.

The generational shift in the party has been seen in some of the candidates selected for the general election.

Republican veterans such as Gerry Kelly in North Belfast and Pat Doherty in West Tyrone have stood aside for candidates with no associations with the IRA - John Finucane and Barry McElduff respectively.

In Londonderry, Councillor Elisha McCallion is the Westminster candidate in the late Martin McGuinness' home turf.

Meanwhile, Mr Adams last night hit out at Arlene Foster, warning that "DUP support for Brexit is ignoring the potentially disastrous impact it will have on the economy of the North".

He was responding to Mrs Foster, whose party campaigned for Leave in the referendum, after she told an audience in Derry that she was aware of people's concerns around Brexit.

"The United Kingdom's departure from the European Union inevitably brings with it an element of uncertainty," she said.

Mr Adams said that was "the understatement of 2017".

"The DUP leader is ignoring the mounting economic evidence that Brexit will have a significant and detrimental impact on jobs, our economy, especially along the border region, and in the agriculture and agri-food sectors."

Mrs Foster had also said that a border poll would be destabilising at a time when stability is required. Mr Adams retorted: "You can't claim, as Arlene Foster does, to be confident in the outcome of a border poll for the pro-union position and then deny citizens the opportunity to make a choice.

"If Mrs Foster is so certain of the pro-union position then let the people have their say."

He also dismissed Mrs Foster's willingness to re-enter power sharing immediately as "electoral spin".

Belfast Telegraph


http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/gerry-adams-ready-to-make-way-for-mcdonald-as-sinn-fein-chief-35690353.html

[naka]

interesting that sinn fein what the sdlp to stand down in Fermanagh/south Tyrone & North Belfast but offer no reciprocal arrangements elsewhere The logic is they want to send an anti-brexit message.
considering they don`t go to westminister I am struggling to understand this one, would it not be better for sinn fein to step down and let anti Brexit parties who take their seats to get MPs.

[armaghniac]

interesting that sinn fein what the sdlp to stand down in Fermanagh/south Tyrone & North Belfast but offer no reciprocal arrangements elsewhere The logic is they want to send an anti-brexit message.
considering they don`t go to westminister I am struggling to understand this one, would it not be better for sinn fein to step down and let anti Brexit parties who take their seats to get MPs.

The logic would have been for agreed non-party candidates in some of these places. Someone from a business or farming background in Fermanagh would provide a very strong anti-Brexit voice. The reality is that SF would be happy with the border sealed off if they thought their party would benefit in some way.

[naka]

interesting that sinn fein what the sdlp to stand down in Fermanagh/south Tyrone & North Belfast but offer no reciprocal arrangements elsewhere The logic is they want to send an anti-brexit message.
considering they don`t go to westminister I am struggling to understand this one, would it not be better for sinn fein to step down and let anti Brexit parties who take their seats to get MPs.

The logic would have been for agreed non-party candidates in some of these places. Someone from a business or farming background in Fermanagh would provide a very strong anti-Brexit voice. The reality is that SF would be happy with the border sealed off if they thought their party would benefit in some way.

definitely agree on this one,
sinn fein know that as sdlp take their seats any stepping aside actually destroys the sdlp`s credibility so the tactic is not so much about ant-brexit but about the eradication of the sdlp.