King Charles III

[trailer]

SF have now become the SDLP. They are on the same constitutional nationalist ground that Hume and Mallon et all occupied for so long. If this was the SF end game you have to wonder what it was all about. They clearly accept that NI is part of the UK until there is a democratic vote to change that. They are happy to administer British law.

How will there base see this? Stoops? Sell outs? Playing a blinder? Sinn Fein - SDLP for slow learners.

The DUP have once again played a bad hand badly and have been totally side lined in an event that is so dear to their hearts. How will their base respond? Problem is that similarly on the Nationalist side their is no alternative. The UUP nor the SDLP are resonating with voters. 

[gallsman]

Good Lord, even CoI lads are at it. Trying to close for food banks and businesses in Dungiven.

https://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2022/09/14/news/church_of_ireland_minister_urges_free_food_facility_to_close_for_queen_elizabeth_s_funeral-2827538/?s=08

[Fear Bun Na Sceilpe]

SF have now become the SDLP. They are on the same constitutional nationalist ground that Hume and Mallon et all occupied for so long. If this was the SF end game you have to wonder what it was all about. They clearly accept that NI is part of the UK until there is a democratic vote to change that. They are happy to administer British law.

How will there base see this? Stoops? Sell outs? Playing a blinder? Sinn Fein - SDLP for slow learners.

The DUP have once again played a bad hand badly and have been totally side lined in an event that is so dear to their hearts. How will their base respond? Problem is that similarly on the Nationalist side their is no alternative. The UUP nor the SDLP are resonating with voters.

Loads of men looking into pints depressed wondering the same.

If you look at recent republican funerals here in Derry its very telling, most of the lads that done the work on the ground dont appear anymore. What was it all about

[Keyboard Warrior]

SF have now become the SDLP. They are on the same constitutional nationalist ground that Hume and Mallon et all occupied for so long. If this was the SF end game you have to wonder what it was all about. They clearly accept that NI is part of the UK until there is a democratic vote to change that. They are happy to administer British law.

How will there base see this? Stoops? Sell outs? Playing a blinder? Sinn Fein - SDLP for slow learners.

The DUP have once again played a bad hand badly and have been totally side lined in an event that is so dear to their hearts. How will their base respond? Problem is that similarly on the Nationalist side their is no alternative. The UUP nor the SDLP are resonating with voters.

Fair to say that SF are no longer Republicans now? Impossible to reconcile calling yourself a Republican (democratically elected head of state, written constitution etc.) and then kowtow to monarchy.

PBP made their objections to monarchy clear in a respectful way.

[Pub Bore]

As far as political strategies go, a masterclass by SF.  They gently nudged the DUP off centre stage.  It's telling that the SDLP supporters here are far more angry than most unionists.

[johnnycool]

SF have now become the SDLP. They are on the same constitutional nationalist ground that Hume and Mallon et all occupied for so long. If this was the SF end game you have to wonder what it was all about. They clearly accept that NI is part of the UK until there is a democratic vote to change that. They are happy to administer British law.

How will there base see this? Stoops? Sell outs? Playing a blinder? Sinn Fein - SDLP for slow learners.

The DUP have once again played a bad hand badly and have been totally side lined in an event that is so dear to their hearts. How will their base respond? Problem is that similarly on the Nationalist side their is no alternative. The UUP nor the SDLP are resonating with voters.

Fair to say that SF are no longer Republicans now? Impossible to reconcile calling yourself a Republican (democratically elected head of state, written constitution etc.) and then kowtow to monarchy.

PBP made their objections to monarchy clear in a respectful way.

It's all about appeasing the small u unionists that their culture will be protected/acknowledged in a UI.

Michelle et all are probably in their mind treating KC as a foreign dignitary albeit someone that a very large part of the local electorate have an affinity with.

[trailer]

As far as political strategies go, a masterclass by SF.  They gently nudged the DUP off centre stage.  It's telling that the SDLP supporters here are far more angry than most unionists.

SDLP supporters are far from angry and I have actually praised SF. (uncomfortable for you) But I ask two questions. What took them so long? And what will the hardliners think?

[Rossfan]

They accepted the 6 Cos remaining part of the "UK" unless/until voters decide otherwise in 1998 when they negotiated the GFA.
The more moderate they become the more votes they get.
People are mainly moderate and centrist.
Can you imagine how many seats they'd get in the next Dáil if they ran on a 32 County Socialist Republic, nationalise big business, get out of the EU etc platform?

[trailer]

They accepted the 6 Cos remaining part of the "UK" unless/until voters decide otherwise in 1998 when they negotiated the GFA.
The more moderate they become the more votes they get.
People are mainly moderate and centrist.
Can you imagine how many seats they'd get in the next Dáil if they ran on a 32 County Socialist Republic, nationalise big business, get out of the EU etc platform?

Not very many.
But that is who they are. Voters need to be careful.

[Pub Bore]

As far as political strategies go, a masterclass by SF.  They gently nudged the DUP off centre stage.  It's telling that the SDLP supporters here are far more angry than most unionists.

SDLP supporters are far from angry and I have actually praised SF. (uncomfortable for you) But I ask two questions. What took them so long? And what will the hardliners think?

What took them so long? - Well the Queen only died last week, so they've moved fairly quickly.
What will the hardliners think?.  - Dunno, I suppose some will not be amused, but I'm sure SF planned for this and the vast majority of SF voters will be on board, at least to the extent where it won't stop them voting for SF.

[Dougal Maguire]

I think they're lapping it up. The fact that the Unionists are having to take a back seat is brilliant. MON getting an invite to the funeral and Jim Allister not is icing on cake

[Denn Forever]

Would Jim Allister accept accept the invition f MON said that she couldn't accept the invitation in all good conscience and maybe :-she would give it to Jim?

[keep her low this half]

Perhaps SF are finally working to win a border poll. Which policy would win the most wavering votes in a future border poll, boycotting all the ceremonies and shouting FTQ or paying respect to the deceased head of state of a neighbouring country?
I think SF and MON have performed very well this week in what could easily have been an awkward moment.
As for the diehard republicans criticizing them, some of them have done time for fighting crown forces and will be feeling  betrayed but realistically when a border poll is called each and every one of them will vote in favour of a united Ireland, just not for SF in any election that follows which is fair enough.

[93-DY-SAM]

I think they're lapping it up. The fact that the Unionists are having to take a back seat is brilliant. MON getting an invite to the funeral and Jim Allister not is icing on cake

I watched about 10/15 mins of the bit at Hillsborough yesterday. I'd probably only have seen about 10/15 mins of news before that. I thought it was hard not to laugh at wee Jeff and Jim playing second-fiddle especially when it involved something they idolise. I think the SF stance has been well played. As someone mentioned earlier it was simply paying respect to a foreign dignitary after a death. No more, no less. I can't see how that somehow makes them full-on Royalists now or changes their stance on a United Ireland. The same lads here complaining about them meeting Charlie would be the same ones complaining if they didn't.

[johnnycool]

Would Jim Allister accept accept the invition f MON said that she couldn't accept the invitation in all good conscience and maybe :-she would give it to Jim?

Met by Alex Maskey and Michelle O'Neill in Hillsborough with Alex leading the condolences and Michelle first in line, then onto St Annes Cathedral to be met by the SF Mayor of Belfast and the SF MP for the area.

What must the Royals and the GB audience think is going on over here?

Saw that Steve Baker ERG hoor floating about, should have been taken to the border area and left there...