Stormont Assembly Elections 2017

[AhNowRef]

As would be the case with the SDLP/UUP, no?

UUP lost its unionist supremacy years ago by embracing the nationalist representation as power sharing equals and would have to endorse a hate nationalist campaign to win back the lost vote
Their moderate diplomacy ruined them

The status quo will be maintained to Scotlands electorate pluck up the courage and take the leap to independence
Then the union will fall and its game on

Yeah the sooner the SNP get it sorted the better .. It would fairly put the cat among the pigeons !!

The only thing is that if Scotland were to become independent the DUPers of this world would be looking to unite with them  .... they'd be looking that Bridge built again .. FFS Jim Allister, lovely chap that he is, is looking the money for the A5 to be spent on Scottish roads instead ...
but thankfully I doubt the SNP would be interested..

[Taylor]

From early reports it looks like it will be the status quo.......depressing shite and back to more uncertainty and he said/she said.

Meanwhile budget deadlines are missed/health service suffers etc etc etc

[haranguerer]

What would be wrong with all of them getting together and having a government with:

Joint First Minister - Nationalist/Unionist
Joint Finance Minister - from two different parties that can somewhat agree
Joint Health Minister - as above
Joint Education Minister - as above
Joint Brexit Minster - going to need that!

etc etc

Would like all the leaders especially Long to be part of the government. In fact she would be a brilliant First Minister on her own! Only way for it to work is to make them work together, not carve up depts. between SF and DUP and let them run it THEIR way! How about running depts. OUR way.

This place could be so prosperous if people were smart about it. We could be help up as an example to the rest of the world and could get money from UK, Europe, US, Far East........use the "everybody loves the Irish" and the "sure my ancestors came from Ireland" and whatever else it takes to get investment.

But what do we do?

Worry about flags and walking down roads and talking about a United Ireland (prob more people would vote for that in England than Ireland!!!!)

Why the shinners and SDLP dont hammer away at the sheer cost of running this place to the brits is beyond me, if the average brit knew how much it cost to run this little slice of heaven they would be up in arms!

It would be quite an achievement to simultaneously sell it to the rest of the country while telling the Brits how worthless it was

[armaghniac]

What would be wrong with all of them getting together and having a government with:

Joint First Minister - Nationalist/Unionist
Joint Finance Minister - from two different parties that can somewhat agree
Joint Health Minister - as above
Joint Education Minister - as above
Joint Brexit Minster - going to need that!

etc etc

Would like all the leaders especially Long to be part of the government. In fact she would be a brilliant First Minister on her own! Only way for it to work is to make them work together, not carve up depts. between SF and DUP and let them run it THEIR way! How about running depts. OUR way.

This place could be so prosperous if people were smart about it. We could be help up as an example to the rest of the world and could get money from UK, Europe, US, Far East........use the "everybody loves the Irish" and the "sure my ancestors came from Ireland" and whatever else it takes to get investment.

But what do we do?

Worry about flags and walking down roads and talking about a United Ireland (prob more people would vote for that in England than Ireland!!!!)

Why the shinners and SDLP dont hammer away at the sheer cost of running this place to the brits is beyond me, if the average brit knew how much it cost to run this little slice of heaven they would be up in arms!

It would be quite an achievement to simultaneously sell it to the rest of the country while telling the Brits how worthless it was

The only hope is that the British take some interest in it costing less when they realise the cost, especially if they stop screwing the economy.

Turnout

Foyle 65% turnout - up from 56% in '16.
East Derry turnout - 62.69%. Also up from 50.80%
West Tyrone 44,907; turnout 69.89%
East Antrim 37,836; turnout 60.12%
North Antrim 48,518; turnout 63.22%
Mid Ulster 50,228; turnout 72.38% from 58% last time
Belfast South 43,465; turnout 63.96%

[haranguerer]

DUP could be under pressure in S Belfast - Pengelly in particular

[Farrandeelin]

Fermanagh South Tyrone turnout 72.61 %.

[stew]

What would be wrong with all of them getting together and having a government with:

Joint First Minister - Nationalist/Unionist
Joint Finance Minister - from two different parties that can somewhat agree
Joint Health Minister - as above
Joint Education Minister - as above
Joint Brexit Minster - going to need that!

etc etc

Would like all the leaders especially Long to be part of the government. In fact she would be a brilliant First Minister on her own! Only way for it to work is to make them work together, not carve up depts. between SF and DUP and let them run it THEIR way! How about running depts. OUR way.

This place could be so prosperous if people were smart about it. We could be help up as an example to the rest of the world and could get money from UK, Europe, US, Far East........use the "everybody loves the Irish" and the "sure my ancestors came from Ireland" and whatever else it takes to get investment.

But what do we do?

Worry about flags and walking down roads and talking about a United Ireland (prob more people would vote for that in England than Ireland!!!!)

Why the shinners and SDLP dont hammer away at the sheer cost of running this place to the brits is beyond me, if the average brit knew how much it cost to run this little slice of heaven they would be up in arms!

It would be quite an achievement to simultaneously sell it to the rest of the country while telling the Brits how worthless it was

Thats what politicians do!

Talk out of both sides of their mouths ffs!

[Harold Disgracey]

Votes polled in Upper Bann 52,174; turnout 62.54%

Votes polled in Newry and Armagh 55,625; turnout 69.41%

[Farrandeelin]

32 seats for the DUP according to Jim Wells.

[randomusername]

32 seats for the DUP according to Jim Wells.

Wouldn't surprise me. The only thing that will significantly impact the DUP vote is demographic change. Give it a decade or two.

[Sweeper 123]

a lot of it still seems to be down to transfers for the 5th seat in some areas - but nelson struggling

[Milltown Row2]

32 seats for the DUP according to Jim Wells.

We are doomed if thats the case, holding all the aces, they wil cite a drop in seats at the assembly to something other than the recent scandals, of which their voting public really (after this show) dont give a f**k about!

Mental, bit like the Scotts crying for freedom and when handed to them on a plate the vote no!

[armaghniac]

The full list

Belfast South: 64%, +10%
Belfast North: 62%, +10%
Mid-Ulster: 72%, +13%
Strangford: 61%, +11%
North Down: 59%, +10%
Foyle: 65%, +9%
East Londonderry: 63%, +12%
North Antrim: 63%, +10%
East Antrim: 60%, +9%
South Antrim: 62%, +11%
Upper Bann: 62% + %
Newry & Armagh: 69% + 10%
Fermanagh and South Tyrone: 73%, +9%
West Tyrone: 73%, +13%
Lagan Valley 62%, + 9%
South Down 66% +12%

[north_antrim_hound]

32 seats for the DUP according to Jim Wells.

Well that's that then
DUP voters don't care what how their representative behave in office
Lining there own pockets, refusing to work profeceintly with the rest of the government Rep
Calling 45 % of the electorate crocodiles and refusing to acknowledge their national identity
Talk about cutting your nose off to spite your face
Lost the battle but not the war as another poster just mentioned at least another 15 year wait for the demographic to kick in or a little Help from Scotland or both
What a bunch of bigoted insightful cavemen
The unionist community have spoken and it's the same old tripe

[Minder]

Looks like Nelson McCausland may lose his seat in N Belfast