UK General Election 2017

[seafoid]

An independent state automatically renders toxic unionism and nationalism obsolete as there are no longer competing allegiances to Britain or the Freestate,the route cause of division and sectarianism.

The union is Arlene's guiding star

[BennyCake]

An independent state automatically renders toxic unionism and nationalism obsolete as there are no longer competing allegiances to Britain or the Freestate,the route cause of division and sectarianism.

But again, you're looking at polar agendas. Unionists want to be in the Union, and hang onto Britians coat tails. Republicans want a reunited Ireland. How is an independent North to be formed while neither side wants that?

[Owen Brannigan]

I no longer vote on tribal lines but for candidate (s) who I agree with and who have a track record.

My preference would be for an independent Northern state,if economically viable ultimately,devoid of  toxic,bizarre and irrational allegiances to the British or 26 county states,which has brought about nothing but misery and division.

If there is an independent Northern state, will it make any difference? Changing it's name will mean nothing. Assuming it would be governed from Stormont, it will still be the same as it's been since 98. Two main parties working with polar opposite agendas. This whole place is a cesspit, always was and will be.

I suggest all nationalists and all unionists meet in a neutral venue and bate the shite out of each other. Last side standing gets to keep the place. The other has to leave. Yes, it's a mental suggestion but it would sort this place out once and for all. No other method has worked. Or ever will work. Irish and British governments agree to house the losers.

There is a change happening, however gradually. Sectarian differences in the north are being diluted slowly. Whether this leads to a united Ireland or not I don't know. However, the changes occurring are only for the better.

Absolute rubbish. Extremists on both sides have swamped SDLP UUP and ALLIANCE.
The DUP have the ear of the Tories now and will only strenghten division.

The major obstacle to an integrated society now lies with polarisation of residency, .i.e. people have migrated away from mixed areas into living among 'their own'. 

Over the last 20/30 years, a form of white flight has occurred across N.Ireland.  Mostly Protestants have moved away from mixed areas or in some cases majority Catholic towns. This has led to growth of tiny villages into little Protestant enclaves, in Fermanagh this has resulted in the development of Ballinamallard into a small town, in Armagh area, Richill, formerly a small village, is now a Protestant town.  In the reverse, Catholics have fled Markethill leaving it virtually 100% Protestant occupied from about 65% before the conflict.  There has been a migration of Protestants towards the East leaving the band of green across the West and South of the six counties.  Protestant farmers with large farms have either moved to North Down or gone to Scotland.

This polarisation suits the DUP and SF as it concentrates supporters in constituencies they can electorally win and so we will see to efforts to integrate the population. Hence you have statements from bigoted politicians that places like Rathfriland is a protestant town where SF is not welcome.  Under any other definition we have had a form of voluntary ethnic cleansing.

With polarised housing we have polarised education in much of N.Ireland.  However, an unexpected consequence of the Catholic Church forcing the removal of grammar schools in the Catholic sector, parents are now moving children to non-denominational schools and this will have a greater integrating effect than the Integrated Schools system will ever have.

[T Fearon]

It will take a new political movement,to energise the youth and those of us who have seen the light to promote an inclusive Northern Irish culture and identity,trumping misguided allegiances to Britain and the Freestate,which are toxic and have and will continue to bring nothing but misery,division etc.The basis is already there with the Alliance and Green Party and it may not take all that much to persuade UUP and SDLP voters.Also there are huge swathes of people who don't vote currently,presumably because they are not enamoured by Unionism or Nationalism.

[OgraAnDun]

It will take a new political movement,to energise the youth and those of us who have seen the light to promote an inclusive Northern Irish culture and identity,trumping misguided allegiances to Britain and the Freestate,which are toxic and have and will continue to bring nothing but misery,division etc.The basis is already there with the Alliance and Green Party and it may not take all that much to persuade UUP and SDLP voters.Also there are huge swathes of people who don't vote currently,presumably because they are not enamoured by Unionism or Nationalism.

Every time the DUP come out with something like the fleg protests or the crocodiles comments, they just drive previously apolitical young Catholics into the hands of SF. Seeing as the DUP will continue to make these gaffes as they are as bigoted and backwards as the day is long, there will be no widely supported "energetic youth movement" to invent an identity and culture for a place with no historical backing.

[Orior]

No surprise that James Brokenshire holds on to Secretary of State for the colony known as the Occupied Six County Statelet.

[BennyCake]

It will take a new political movement,to energise the youth and those of us who have seen the light to promote an inclusive Northern Irish culture and identity,trumping misguided allegiances to Britain and the Freestate,which are toxic and have and will continue to bring nothing but misery,division etc.The basis is already there with the Alliance and Green Party and it may not take all that much to persuade UUP and SDLP voters.Also there are huge swathes of people who don't vote currently,presumably because they are not enamoured by Unionism or Nationalism.

There is no Norn Iron culture, and never will be.  You can't create an artificial sectarian state and expect everyone to live happily ever after.

[Orior]

It will take a new political movement,to energise the youth and those of us who have seen the light to promote an inclusive Northern Irish culture and identity,trumping misguided allegiances to Britain and the Freestate,which are toxic and have and will continue to bring nothing but misery,division etc.The basis is already there with the Alliance and Green Party and it may not take all that much to persuade UUP and SDLP voters.Also there are huge swathes of people who don't vote currently,presumably because they are not enamoured by Unionism or Nationalism.

There is no Norn Iron culture, and never will be.  You can't create an artificial sectarian state and expect everyone to live happily ever after.

I'm not Nelson McCausland, but some might argue that north east Ireland has always been different from the rest. This is based on its proximity to Scotland, stories about Maeve stealing cattle and ancient defensive works such as the Danes Cast and the Black Pigs Dyke.

[stew]

It will take a new political movement,to energise the youth and those of us who have seen the light to promote an inclusive Northern Irish culture and identity,trumping misguided allegiances to Britain and the Freestate,which are toxic and have and will continue to bring nothing but misery,division etc.The basis is already there with the Alliance and Green Party and it may not take all that much to persuade UUP and SDLP voters.Also there are huge swathes of people who don't vote currently,presumably because they are not enamoured by Unionism or Nationalism.

There is no Norn Iron culture, and never will be.  You can't create an artificial sectarian state and expect everyone to live happily ever after.

I'm not Nelson McCausland, but some might argue that north east Ireland has always been different from the rest. This is based on its proximity to Scotland, stories about Maeve stealing cattle and ancient defensive works such as the Danes Cast and the Black Pigs Dyke.

Black pigs dyke orior? Really? That is no way to talk about Arlene!

[yellowcard]

It will take a new political movement,to energise the youth and those of us who have seen the light to promote an inclusive Northern Irish culture and identity,trumping misguided allegiances to Britain and the Freestate,which are toxic and have and will continue to bring nothing but misery,division etc.The basis is already there with the Alliance and Green Party and it may not take all that much to persuade UUP and SDLP voters.Also there are huge swathes of people who don't vote currently,presumably because they are not enamoured by Unionism or Nationalism.

I'll have some of whatever you're smoking. In case you hadn't noticed there are TWO distinct cultures in the north. Irish nationalism which is the same as those in the south. We play the same sports, music and have broadly speaking the exact same way of life. Then you have British unionism which involves parades, flags, flutes. Older generation unionists are more bigoted and prehistoric in their social habits, most of those types are God fearing self righteous Christian with old school values and who have a sense of supremacy. There is a brand of broadly younger generation decent Unionists who are more inclusive though and it's not right to tar them all with the one brush. So to speak of a 'N Irish culture' is rubbish. Can't believe that even needed explaining.

[T Fearon]

Rubbish.There is no comparison even with culture in Newry and Dundalk.Unionism and nationalism have cross fertilised in many ways.Bands and parading are common to both sides,as is plain speaking,thriftiness etc.North of Ireland has a culture and way of life separate and distinct from Britain and the South of Ireland.

[bennydorano]

Gove makes a return to Cabinet.

Reshuffle: Theresa May praises 'talent from across party' - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-40241229

[seafoid]

Via FT

Theresa May faces a showdown with newly elected Conservative MPs on Monday as the British prime minister desperately attempts to shore up her position following claims by former chancellor George Osborne that she is "a dead woman walking".

One Tory MP said Mrs May would have to give "the performance of her life" if she is to reassure a traumatised party that she can carry on leading the country and deliver Brexit, in spite of throwing away her majority after a disastrous election campai

[yellowcard]

Rubbish.There is no comparison even with culture in Newry and Dundalk.Unionism and nationalism have cross fertilised in many ways.Bands and parading are common to both sides,as is plain speaking,thriftiness etc.North of Ireland has a culture and way of life separate and distinct from Britain and the South of Ireland.

Have you ever spent time abroad on holidays or lived among Irish communities there? People from the north (nationalists) and south socialise and integrate seamlessly, no distinction. They don't navigate naturally towards English people or northern unionists, the latter of who who are very much a breed of their own. Very insular and inward looking, whereas the Irish are traditionally travellers and explorers.

Half of Dundalk are of Northern descent ffs you mad man.

[heganboy]

Rubbish.There is no comparison even with culture in Newry and Dundalk.Unionism and nationalism have cross fertilised in many ways.Bands and parading are common to both sides,as is plain speaking,thriftiness etc.North of Ireland has a culture and way of life separate and distinct from Britain and the South of Ireland.

Tony,
Out of curiosity. Is crossmaglen culture closer to Dundalk, and poyntzpass closer to *Larne?
Or are you making it up as you go along?


**** f**king spellcheck