Sinn Fein? They have gone away, you know.

[marty34]

Serious question.

Would people actually consider the SDLP nationalist?

Yes.

Any SDLP politicians I know are nationalist and able . SF though the largest party have not been capitalising on the growing nationalist demographic, Alliance has capitalised on this demographic, as the post-troubles generation are attracted by the middle ground. SF biggest problem is avoiding controversy to try and capture more of the middle ground. Hardliners (excluding the tiny percentage who are dissident) are shoo-in and likely to remain loyal , but there is ground to be made closer to the middle . In addition , Hard left ideology brings with it a ceiling to its support, and though attractive to those suffering through poverty, the middle ground are nervous that at a time of uncertainty due to brexit, Covid and potential border poll, a hard left government could be disastrous. SF's only chance of increasing its vote is trying to capture the middle ground, that will involve softening its hard left reputation and showing genuine remorse for victims of the conflict . They are on the verge of power north and south but lack allies, and will have to build up relationships with parties closest to them, and get the young vote out particularly

SF have the support levels they need, they are not going to win any more ground than they already have. SDLP and Alliance are probably as well subsume each other, they have that kind of middle ground won't rock the board and will support the state institutions without question. Where is an SDLP stronghold for example? The Hume legacy in Derry city? Other than that and some middle class catholic areas in Belfast and Down, the SDLP don't dominate nationalist areas politically.

I find this board strange, seems to be more SDLP supporters on it than SF despite SF being the overwhelmingly majority nationalist party in the O6. Maybe it's just that we have a lot of the comfortable middle class teachers on here.

I imagine, There's plenty of SF supporters on this board Angelo. You don't have to be an SDLP supporter to disagree with many of the views and approach you have displayed on various threads

It would be odd for SF supporters to continually criticise SF and say nothing about the SDLP though.

Personally I would have a lot of criticisms of SF too but I am also aware that for me anyway they are the only nationalist party on this whole island. SDLP could be in power for the next 100 years and would make no attempt to forward reunification, they have always be too willing to take the subservient role to bigoted unionism as doing otherwise might damage their own standing.

The SDLP are a middle ground party much the same as Alliance for me with no real identity.

Honestly are you taking the piss now?

Maybe tell us a few anecdotes there as you are a very objective and non partisan poster when it comes to SF.....

WTF-SF are the only nationalist party on this island? Thats a new one , mad even for you

Without question.

You have staunch far right unionist parties - DUP, UUP, TUV.

Middle ground parties who just go with the flow - Alliance, SDLP Greens, Social Democrats

Left parties - PBP

Partionist parties who are reticent to any talks of reunification - FF, FG, Labour.

Nationalist parties - SF and possibly you could include Aontu but they are a fringe organisation

SF are the only party on this island serious about nationalism but you are so entrenched in an agenda to slur them at every opportunity with anecdotes and hearsay, the problem is that people can see your agenda as clear as day so the more you say the more emboldened people get. Did you ever think of teaming up with Ruth Dudley Edwards?

Well lets just agree that you aren't going to get a first class honours anytime soon in politics.

The only person who'll agree with you is Ruth Dudley Edwards or Gregory Campbell.

Point proven, I am utterly convinced at this stage that you are very young, not that there is anything wrong with that or that it should exclude you from giving a response, but you are so ill informed that I can only conclude that you have not honestly had enough time to read up on history or even current affairs for that matter.

More nonsense from yourself. You really struggle to leave youR agenda at the door.

It's ironic that you are calling me young as it's not very mature behaviour to be running around the internet slandering people and a political party at every turn with hearsay and anecdotal evidence. You're behaving like an obsessed jilted lover. Very immature.

Try and deal in factual matters rather than the kind of Ruth Dudley Edwards contributions you make on here and people might actually respect your contributions on this matter. I think most people cringe when you turn everything into a SF bashing festival, you're ultimately a one trick pony on this forum.

[/b]

RDE?- Im a republican lmfao
most people cringe-Thats some talent you have there, being able to speak for most people, fair play to you.
one trick pony-If you have a look a wee bit closer you will find out that to be balls, you just dont get annoyed with the other stuff lol

I stand to be corrected but n a message a few weeks ago, didn't you use the term ROI in referencing the 26 counties?

Ahh, come on.  I don't think a nationalist would even use that term.

[trailer]

Serious question.

Would people actually consider the SDLP nationalist?

Yes.

Any SDLP politicians I know are nationalist and able . SF though the largest party have not been capitalising on the growing nationalist demographic, Alliance has capitalised on this demographic, as the post-troubles generation are attracted by the middle ground. SF biggest problem is avoiding controversy to try and capture more of the middle ground. Hardliners (excluding the tiny percentage who are dissident) are shoo-in and likely to remain loyal , but there is ground to be made closer to the middle . In addition , Hard left ideology brings with it a ceiling to its support, and though attractive to those suffering through poverty, the middle ground are nervous that at a time of uncertainty due to brexit, Covid and potential border poll, a hard left government could be disastrous. SF's only chance of increasing its vote is trying to capture the middle ground, that will involve softening its hard left reputation and showing genuine remorse for victims of the conflict . They are on the verge of power north and south but lack allies, and will have to build up relationships with parties closest to them, and get the young vote out particularly

SF have the support levels they need, they are not going to win any more ground than they already have. SDLP and Alliance are probably as well subsume each other, they have that kind of middle ground won't rock the board and will support the state institutions without question. Where is an SDLP stronghold for example? The Hume legacy in Derry city? Other than that and some middle class catholic areas in Belfast and Down, the SDLP don't dominate nationalist areas politically.

I find this board strange, seems to be more SDLP supporters on it than SF despite SF being the overwhelmingly majority nationalist party in the O6. Maybe it's just that we have a lot of the comfortable middle class teachers on here.

I imagine, There's plenty of SF supporters on this board Angelo. You don't have to be an SDLP supporter to disagree with many of the views and approach you have displayed on various threads

It would be odd for SF supporters to continually criticise SF and say nothing about the SDLP though.

Personally I would have a lot of criticisms of SF too but I am also aware that for me anyway they are the only nationalist party on this whole island. SDLP could be in power for the next 100 years and would make no attempt to forward reunification, they have always be too willing to take the subservient role to bigoted unionism as doing otherwise might damage their own standing.

The SDLP are a middle ground party much the same as Alliance for me with no real identity.

Honestly are you taking the piss now?

Maybe tell us a few anecdotes there as you are a very objective and non partisan poster when it comes to SF.....

WTF-SF are the only nationalist party on this island? Thats a new one , mad even for you

Without question.

You have staunch far right unionist parties - DUP, UUP, TUV.

Middle ground parties who just go with the flow - Alliance, SDLP Greens, Social Democrats

Left parties - PBP

Partionist parties who are reticent to any talks of reunification - FF, FG, Labour.

Nationalist parties - SF and possibly you could include Aontu but they are a fringe organisation

SF are the only party on this island serious about nationalism but you are so entrenched in an agenda to slur them at every opportunity with anecdotes and hearsay, the problem is that people can see your agenda as clear as day so the more you say the more emboldened people get. Did you ever think of teaming up with Ruth Dudley Edwards?

Well lets just agree that you aren't going to get a first class honours anytime soon in politics.

The only person who'll agree with you is Ruth Dudley Edwards or Gregory Campbell.

Point proven, I am utterly convinced at this stage that you are very young, not that there is anything wrong with that or that it should exclude you from giving a response, but you are so ill informed that I can only conclude that you have not honestly had enough time to read up on history or even current affairs for that matter.

More nonsense from yourself. You really struggle to leave youR agenda at the door.

It's ironic that you are calling me young as it's not very mature behaviour to be running around the internet slandering people and a political party at every turn with hearsay and anecdotal evidence. You're behaving like an obsessed jilted lover. Very immature.

Try and deal in factual matters rather than the kind of Ruth Dudley Edwards contributions you make on here and people might actually respect your contributions on this matter. I think most people cringe when you turn everything into a SF bashing festival, you're ultimately a one trick pony on this forum.

[/b]

RDE?- Im a republican lmfao
most people cringe-Thats some talent you have there, being able to speak for most people, fair play to you.
one trick pony-If you have a look a wee bit closer you will find out that to be balls, you just dont get annoyed with the other stuff lol

I stand to be corrected but n a message a few weeks ago, didn't you use the term ROI in referencing the 26 counties?

Ahh, come on.  I don't think a nationalist would even use that term.

Definitely not. SF keeping everyone right about who is and more importantly who isn't a nationalist/ republican/ Irish.
A handy checklist
Support Celtic
Love the Wolf Tones
Support the IRA

[general_lee]

Definitely not. SF keeping everyone right about who is and more importantly who isn't a nationalist/ republican/ Irish.
A handy checklist
Support Celtic
Love the Wolf Tones
Support the IRA

A handy checklist for SDLP
Lay wreaths for the British army
Join House of Lords
Argue to increase threshold needed for successful border poll
Stop brexit

[trailer]

Definitely not. SF keeping everyone right about who is and more importantly who isn't a nationalist/ republican/ Irish.
A handy checklist
Support Celtic
Love the Wolf Tones
Support the IRA

A handy checklist for SDLP
Lay wreaths for the British army
Join House of Lords
Argue to increase threshold needed for successful border poll
Stop brexit

Lol. Can't take can you?

[Angelo]

Stoops really don't like being called out for their subservient nature to the crown.

[armaghniac]

Stoops really don't like being called out for their subservient nature to the crown.

Shinners don't like being called out as obstacles to a United Ireland.

[Angelo]

Stoops really don't like being called out for their subservient nature to the crown.

Shinners don't like being called out as obstacles to a United Ireland.

Funny that the only obstacle to a United Ireland is the only party who actually want it.

If a United Ireland happens it will be because of SF as they are the only party with the political appetite for it on this island.

The Stoops and FFG are against the concept.

[Fear Bun Na Sceilpe]

Definitely not. SF keeping everyone right about who is and more importantly who isn't a nationalist/ republican/ Irish.
A handy checklist
Support Celtic
Love the Wolf Tones
Support the IRA

A handy checklist for SDLP
Lay wreaths for the British army
Join House of Lords
Argue to increase threshold needed for successful border poll
Stop brexit

I'll think you will find sinn feign layed wreaths for British army and also Martina Anderson said she would surely stop brexit from Brussels.

Oh sorry I nearly forgot Adams and co couldn't wait to shake hands with chief of staff of paras. Fecking stoops

[armaghniac]

If a United Ireland happens it will be because of SF as they are the only party with the political appetite for it on this island.

If a United Ireland happens, it will be despite SF.

[6th sam]

Maybe it's just me but I don't like the term nationalist and consider myself Republican.

Would agree , nationalism is viewed here as wanting a United ireland , and has morphed into being a description for 6 county "Catholics " who never espoused violence. In most other countries it's viewed as a negative term for an inward looking exclusive attitude, and usually considered right wing. Most unionists could be described as Uk nationalists In fact.
I think it would be a positive development to simplify descriptive names into Irish or British or "northern Irish " and right wing, centrist, left wing

[Angelo]

If a United Ireland happens it will be because of SF as they are the only party with the political appetite for it on this island.

If a United Ireland happens, it will be despite SF.

It will because of SF. They are the only party on this island pursuing this at present.

There is zero logic to what your saying, the growth of SF south of the border in recent years is why the United Ireland debate is growing and gaining traction. They are the only party on this island driving the issue and yet somehow you think that they are the barrier to what nobody else is looking to happen.

It is just anti-logic what you are spouting. The biggest barrier to a united Ireland from the O6 point of view has been been the SDLP who have and always will be happy to lick the boots of unionism.

[general_lee]

Definitely not. SF keeping everyone right about who is and more importantly who isn't a nationalist/ republican/ Irish.
A handy checklist
Support Celtic
Love the Wolf Tones
Support the IRA

A handy checklist for SDLP
Lay wreaths for the British army
Join House of Lords
Argue to increase threshold needed for successful border poll
Stop brexit

Lol. Can't take can you?

Well if you want to criticise SF, be my guest, I'll probably even agree with you on some things. If you're going to just stereotype people like some sort of snobby Unionist then expect to have it thrown back at you

[armaghniac]

It will because of SF. They are the only party on this island pursuing this at present.

There is zero logic to what your saying, the growth of SF south of the border in recent years is why the United Ireland debate is growing and gaining traction. They are the only party on this island driving the issue and yet somehow you think that they are the barrier to what nobody else is looking to happen.

It is just anti-logic what you are spouting. The biggest barrier to a united Ireland from the O6 point of view has been been the SDLP who have and always will be happy to lick the boots of unionism.

No. The evidence shows that a UI is possible.
There are two obstacles
a concern that people who committed the likes of the Enniskillen bombings and those who support them do not win
the lack of an economic model

SF continually send out tweets and the like relating the Troubles, which is no help at all. They need to let it go.
But, above all, the key issue is how can a United Ireland be funded without requiring excessive taxes? SF continually promotes more public spending and higher taxes as it is, nobody has the least confidence in their ability to build an economic model for a United Ireland. Even if they claim that it is possible, no sensible person would believe them.

[dublin7]

If a United Ireland happens it will be because of SF as they are the only party with the political appetite for it on this island.

If a United Ireland happens, it will be despite SF.

That's spot on. The die hard Unionists and Republicans will vote for/against a united Ireland regardless of what anyone thinks or recommends. It's the undecided middle ground that will decide it. The full on approach of DUP/SF only alienates that middle ground so it will be up to the remaining parties to swing the vote

[Rossfan]

One error in your post Armaghniac
SF want to increase spending and also ABOLISH or REDUCE taxes.
Before their drubbing in the 2019 Locals they were reducing or trying to reduce the LPT.
Then they spent the next 51 weeks complaining that those Councils weren't doing enough..