Arlene's bigotry shines through

[trailer]

The problem for the SDLP is basically that the majority of the nationalist community are republican at heart, those that vote anyway. The SDLP missed a trick as they turned light green and hung their hat on making NI work. At its inner most core the nationalist community is not interested in Westminster or in Stormont and that is why the Shinners get the vote. Add into that a growing younger generation of nationalist that refuse to tone down its identity or doff the cap to superior unionist culture. Had the SDLP really felt the heart beat of their community they would have understood this. The SDLP are still wed to the old unionist adage of SF/IRA and nationalists by and large don't accept this as a black and white situation.

There's a lot of people who vote SF in the North who don't care one iota about a UI. They merely vote SF to keep the other lot in check. In this instance they voting against the DUP and not for SF.
People equate what is happening in the North as normal politics. This is as far removed from everyday politics as you can get. Reading too much into vote shares is pointless.

[haranguerer]

Its fairly clear you haven't the first notion what you are talking about, but I suppose you're in the right place, so plough ahead.

[trailer]

Because my opinion differs from yours?

[GJL]

The problem for the SDLP is basically that the majority of the nationalist community are republican at heart, those that vote anyway. The SDLP missed a trick as they turned light green and hung their hat on making NI work. At its inner most core the nationalist community is not interested in Westminster or in Stormont and that is why the Shinners get the vote. Add into that a growing younger generation of nationalist that refuse to tone down its identity or doff the cap to superior unionist culture. Had the SDLP really felt the heart beat of their community they would have understood this. The SDLP are still wed to the old unionist adage of SF/IRA and nationalists by and large don't accept this as a black and white situation.

There's a lot of people who vote SF in the North who don't care one iota about a UI. They merely vote SF to keep the other lot in check. In this instance they voting against the DUP and not for SF.
People equate what is happening in the North as normal politics. This is as far removed from everyday politics as you can get. Reading too much into vote shares is pointless.

Complete and utter nonsense.

[tiempo]

The problem for the SDLP is basically that the majority of the nationalist community are republican at heart, those that vote anyway. The SDLP missed a trick as they turned light green and hung their hat on making NI work. At its inner most core the nationalist community is not interested in Westminster or in Stormont and that is why the Shinners get the vote. Add into that a growing younger generation of nationalist that refuse to tone down its identity or doff the cap to superior unionist culture. Had the SDLP really felt the heart beat of their community they would have understood this. The SDLP are still wed to the old unionist adage of SF/IRA and nationalists by and large don't accept this as a black and white situation.

There's a lot of people who vote SF in the North who don't care one iota about a UI. They merely vote SF to keep the other lot in check. In this instance they voting against the DUP and not for SF.
People equate what is happening in the North as normal politics. This is as far removed from everyday politics as you can get. Reading too much into vote shares is pointless.

Has there ever been a more clueless comment.

Define normal politics. Like the everyday politics of the rust belt, Trump, Brexit, North Korea, Syria, Israel, Cambridge Analytica, the huge gains made by the Scottish Conservatives?

SF will bring home the bacon, a UI is coming and there will be serious bed wetting by west brits, quislings and some Unionists when it does.

[trailer]

Shinnerbots. Assemble!

[tiempo]

Bed wetters of the world unite!

[AQMP]

The problem for the SDLP is basically that the majority of the nationalist community are republican at heart, those that vote anyway. The SDLP missed a trick as they turned light green and hung their hat on making NI work. At its inner most core the nationalist community is not interested in Westminster or in Stormont and that is why the Shinners get the vote. Add into that a growing younger generation of nationalist that refuse to tone down its identity or doff the cap to superior unionist culture. Had the SDLP really felt the heart beat of their community they would have understood this. The SDLP are still wed to the old unionist adage of SF/IRA and nationalists by and large don't accept this as a black and white situation.

Good analysis.  The SDLP fatally misread the result of the GFA Referendum.  They thought that a resounding "Yes" from nationalists (North & South) meant that support for a UI was on the wane amongst nationalists.  They started to talk about "post-nationalism" and occupying the "middle ground" in partnership with the UUP and started to become "green-lite" very quickly.  A lot of their supporters scratched their heads and concluded that the SDLP had no interest in working towards a UI and thus voted SF.  Also they didn't cotton on that Unionist support for the agreement was lukewarm at best and that Trimble & Co only accepted it as the least worst option and had little interest in making it work.

[Applesisapples]

The problem for the SDLP is basically that the majority of the nationalist community are republican at heart, those that vote anyway. The SDLP missed a trick as they turned light green and hung their hat on making NI work. At its inner most core the nationalist community is not interested in Westminster or in Stormont and that is why the Shinners get the vote. Add into that a growing younger generation of nationalist that refuse to tone down its identity or doff the cap to superior unionist culture. Had the SDLP really felt the heart beat of their community they would have understood this. The SDLP are still wed to the old unionist adage of SF/IRA and nationalists by and large don't accept this as a black and white situation.

Good analysis.  The SDLP fatally misread the result of the GFA Referendum.  They thought that a resounding "Yes" from nationalists (North & South) meant that support for a UI was on the wane amongst nationalists.  They started to talk about "post-nationalism" and occupying the "middle ground" in partnership with the UUP and started to become "green-lite" very quickly.  A lot of their supporters scratched their heads and concluded that the SDLP had no interest in working towards a UI and thus voted SF.  Also they didn't cotton on that Unionist support for the agreement was lukewarm at best and that Trimble & Co only accepted it as the least worst option and had little interest in making it work.

You could also add that in analysing nationalist voting intentions to a UI it is not a yes no question. The type of UI needs to be established and any process towards it will take time and financial support from the EU/Britain/ROI. Things like the health service, public jobs etc will take some time to change and people will not want to be worse of, but it is achieveable.

[johnnycool]

The problem for the SDLP is basically that the majority of the nationalist community are republican at heart, those that vote anyway. The SDLP missed a trick as they turned light green and hung their hat on making NI work. At its inner most core the nationalist community is not interested in Westminster or in Stormont and that is why the Shinners get the vote. Add into that a growing younger generation of nationalist that refuse to tone down its identity or doff the cap to superior unionist culture. Had the SDLP really felt the heart beat of their community they would have understood this. The SDLP are still wed to the old unionist adage of SF/IRA and nationalists by and large don't accept this as a black and white situation.

Good analysis.  The SDLP fatally misread the result of the GFA Referendum.  They thought that a resounding "Yes" from nationalists (North & South) meant that support for a UI was on the wane amongst nationalists.  They started to talk about "post-nationalism" and occupying the "middle ground" in partnership with the UUP and started to become "green-lite" very quickly.  A lot of their supporters scratched their heads and concluded that the SDLP had no interest in working towards a UI and thus voted SF.  Also they didn't cotton on that Unionist support for the agreement was lukewarm at best and that Trimble & Co only accepted it as the least worst option and had little interest in making it work.

I'd say that was always the case but with Sinn Féin being toxic to most the SDLP was the only other option. Once Sinn Féin came in from the cold the SDLP didn't realign their policies accordingly and that maybe was because they misjudged their electorate and also their unionists bed fellows in that a "shared" entity that was NI was workable.

How wrong were they!

[6th sam]

The problem for the SDLP is basically that the majority of the nationalist community are republican at heart, those that vote anyway. The SDLP missed a trick as they turned light green and hung their hat on making NI work. At its inner most core the nationalist community is not interested in Westminster or in Stormont and that is why the Shinners get the vote. Add into that a growing younger generation of nationalist that refuse to tone down its identity or doff the cap to superior unionist culture. Had the SDLP really felt the heart beat of their community they would have understood this. The SDLP are still wed to the old unionist adage of SF/IRA and nationalists by and large don't accept this as a black and white situation.

Good analysis.  The SDLP fatally misread the result of the GFA Referendum.  They thought that a resounding "Yes" from nationalists (North & South) meant that support for a UI was on the wane amongst nationalists.  They started to talk about "post-nationalism" and occupying the "middle ground" in partnership with the UUP and started to become "green-lite" very quickly.  A lot of their supporters scratched their heads and concluded that the SDLP had no interest in working towards a UI and thus voted SF.  Also they didn't cotton on that Unionist support for the agreement was lukewarm at best and that Trimble & Co only accepted it as the least worst option and had little interest in making it work.

I'd say that was always the case but with Sinn Féin being toxic to most the SDLP was the only other option. Once Sinn Féin came in from the cold the SDLP didn't realign their policies accordingly and that maybe was because they misjudged their electorate and also their unionists bed fellows in that a "shared" entity that was NI was workable.

How wrong were they!

Not sure that many in Sdlp didn't want a UI. I have known several SDLP voters and politicians , who were as passionate about a UI as SF, just that the violence didn't sit well with them , sometimes  due to guidance from the Catholic Church .
Most were prepared to work in making this state as fair and successful as possible, in the knowledge that a UI was inevitable in the long term. A valid viewpoint as they wanted to ensure health education jobs and equality were not neglected as we wait on a UI
This state in its present form seems to be ungovernable, a spirit of generosity from unionism could still secure a strong future for British identity on this Island, but the DUP need to be put to the pin of their collars, as there's only one way to stand up to a bully. Their self obsessed shorttermism needs to be countered at every turn, and only an United equality agenda can do that . SDLP have an opportunity to lead that in terms of ethos if not numbers, but they are doing a disservice to that cause by tarring SF with the same brush as DUP. SF for their part need to put more meat on the bones of how they see a new ireland. Focussing on partnership with equality colleagues, and avoiding winding up middle of the road unionism is the key, in my opinion.

[Eamonnca1]

Good analysis.  The SDLP fatally misread the result of the GFA Referendum.  They thought that a resounding "Yes" from nationalists (North & South) meant that support for a UI was on the wane amongst nationalists.  They started to talk about "post-nationalism" and occupying the "middle ground" in partnership with the UUP and started to become "green-lite" very quickly.  A lot of their supporters scratched their heads and concluded that the SDLP had no interest in working towards a UI and thus voted SF.  Also they didn't cotton on that Unionist support for the agreement was lukewarm at best and that Trimble & Co only accepted it as the least worst option and had little interest in making it work.

There's a lot of truth in that. I have nothing but respect for John Hume but I think he spent so much time in Strasbourg that he ended up losing touch with what was going on on the ground. That "post-nationalist" stuff was baffling to me at the time and it's baffling to me now. The nationalist aspiration and "this is our land" mentality is as strong as ever, and rightly so in my opinion.

[Farrandeelin]

The problem for the SDLP is basically that the majority of the nationalist community are republican at heart, those that vote anyway. The SDLP missed a trick as they turned light green and hung their hat on making NI work. At its inner most core the nationalist community is not interested in Westminster or in Stormont and that is why the Shinners get the vote. Add into that a growing younger generation of nationalist that refuse to tone down its identity or doff the cap to superior unionist culture. Had the SDLP really felt the heart beat of their community they would have understood this. The SDLP are still wed to the old unionist adage of SF/IRA and nationalists by and large don't accept this as a black and white situation.

There's a lot of people who vote SF in the North who don't care one iota about a UI. They merely vote SF to keep the other lot in check. In this instance they voting against the DUP and not for SF.
People equate what is happening in the North as normal politics. This is as far removed from everyday politics as you can get. Reading too much into vote shares is pointless.

Has there ever been a more clueless comment.

Define normal politics. Like the everyday politics of the rust belt, Trump, Brexit, North Korea, Syria, Israel, Cambridge Analytica, the huge gains made by the Scottish Conservatives?

SF will bring home the bacon, a UI is coming and there will be serious bed wetting by west brits, quislings and some Unionists when it does.

When?

[Snapchap]

The 26 counties, though not perfect , is an example to northern nationalism in dealing with the past.

I'd like to come back with a more detailed analysis of your post later if I get the time, but for now, the line above really does need to be called out as sheer and utter BS.

Consider the treatment of Martin McGuinness in his presidential election run, and then try to tell me that the 26 counties is an example in dealing with the past. There is a substantial population south of the border with minimal understanding of the conflict (having learned about it via the medium of a Section 31 state censored media) who are as vindictive and bitter opponents of Irish Republicanism as any north Antrim TUV voter. The DUP agreed to enter powersharing with SF almost 2 decades ago. To this day, FF and FG still for the most part publically maintain that "SFs past" makes them "unsuitable" to enter government with. Of course, they will insist on unionists sharing power with them in the north. Utter hypocrites.

[omaghjoe]

Good analysis.  The SDLP fatally misread the result of the GFA Referendum.  They thought that a resounding "Yes" from nationalists (North & South) meant that support for a UI was on the wane amongst nationalists.  They started to talk about "post-nationalism" and occupying the "middle ground" in partnership with the UUP and started to become "green-lite" very quickly.  A lot of their supporters scratched their heads and concluded that the SDLP had no interest in working towards a UI and thus voted SF.  Also they didn't cotton on that Unionist support for the agreement was lukewarm at best and that Trimble & Co only accepted it as the least worst option and had little interest in making it work.

There's a lot of truth in that. I have nothing but respect for John Hume but I think he spent so much time in Strasbourg that he ended up losing touch with what was going on on the ground. That "post-nationalist" stuff was baffling to me at the time and it's baffling to me now. The nationalist aspiration and "this is our land" mentality is as strong as ever, and rightly so in my opinion.

What I took/take from it was that it was more of a political ideology where the concept of sovereign nationalism on a European or global would begin to wane as apolitical system
.
Only a century or three premature perhaps and way over the heads of the ordinary man in the street myself included who as a young buck starting to vote around that time was confused as to why they called themselves nationalist but never talked about a UI,wasnt even in their manifesto! Which in my naivety was my main priority in voting at the time.