Brexit.

[seafoid]

Unionism really doesn't help itself with the leaders it puts forward to represent it's people. The entire Brexit process could hardly have been handled any worse by the DUP leadership from the outset. It really ought to have self reflected on whether it's pursuit of a hard Brexit was in it's own best interest. However the doubling down on it's insistence that it had adopted the correct approach has led them into a situation now where it appears to be running out of road. Crying outrage now over the prospect of an 'economic united Ireland' when it is nothing of the sort appears to be some kind of attitude to whip up more fear and division and deflect any apportionment of blame elsewhere. Plenty of rational thinking people predicted that the Tories would ditch them if it was in their best interests to do so. Therefore it should not have come as any major surprise. The only surprise was in the fact that they placated them for as long as they did. 

Such is the void in leadership within Unionism we now find ourself in the ludicrous situation where a figure of fun such as Jamie Bryson has presented himself as an unelected spokesperson for Unionism/Loyalism and is taking legal action against the UK government.       

William Hague in the Daily Telegraph

"For the DUP, the separate treatment of Northern Ireland is unacceptable. Yet when Theresa May went to the extreme length of keeping the whole of the UK in a closer arrangement with the EU to save them from this outcome, they were emphatically against that as well. They are also against leaving without a deal. Did it not occur to them when they campaigned for Brexit that it would be very likely to entail one of the three outcomes they are now against?"

[Denn Forever]

Ah now, he gives as good he gets when he's on the Nolan radio show.

[yellowcard]

Unionism really doesn't help itself with the leaders it puts forward to represent it's people. The entire Brexit process could hardly have been handled any worse by the DUP leadership from the outset. It really ought to have self reflected on whether it's pursuit of a hard Brexit was in it's own best interest. However the doubling down on it's insistence that it had adopted the correct approach has led them into a situation now where it appears to be running out of road. Crying outrage now over the prospect of an 'economic united Ireland' when it is nothing of the sort appears to be some kind of attitude to whip up more fear and division and deflect any apportionment of blame elsewhere. Plenty of rational thinking people predicted that the Tories would ditch them if it was in their best interests to do so. Therefore it should not have come as any major surprise. The only surprise was in the fact that they placated them for as long as they did. 

Such is the void in leadership within Unionism we now find ourself in the ludicrous situation where a figure of fun such as Jamie Bryson has presented himself as an unelected spokesperson for Unionism/Loyalism and is taking legal action against the UK government.       

William Hague in the Daily Telegraph

"For the DUP, the separate treatment of Northern Ireland is unacceptable. Yet when Theresa May went to the extreme length of keeping the whole of the UK in a closer arrangement with the EU to save them from this outcome, they were emphatically against that as well. They are also against leaving without a deal. Did it not occur to them when they campaigned for Brexit that it would be very likely to entail one of the three outcomes they are now against?"

Hague is totally correct here, they were totally seduced by the ERG and fell for it hook line and sinker. The Johnson's and the Rees-Moggs dropped their support for the DUP at the last minute prior to May's last attempt at getting a deal through, so it was not a shock to see them leave them behind again.

They have been more than happy for the Bryson loyalist types to ramp up the rhetoric with talk of betrayal acts and surrender since it deflects attention away from their complete ineptitude. There are very few visionaries within the leadership of political unionism since they can never appear to see the bigger picture and every little grain of compromise is always seen as a defeat. Foster and Dodds have epitomised this approach from the outset.       

[seafoid]

Unionism really doesn't help itself with the leaders it puts forward to represent it's people. The entire Brexit process could hardly have been handled any worse by the DUP leadership from the outset. It really ought to have self reflected on whether it's pursuit of a hard Brexit was in it's own best interest. However the doubling down on it's insistence that it had adopted the correct approach has led them into a situation now where it appears to be running out of road. Crying outrage now over the prospect of an 'economic united Ireland' when it is nothing of the sort appears to be some kind of attitude to whip up more fear and division and deflect any apportionment of blame elsewhere. Plenty of rational thinking people predicted that the Tories would ditch them if it was in their best interests to do so. Therefore it should not have come as any major surprise. The only surprise was in the fact that they placated them for as long as they did. 

Such is the void in leadership within Unionism we now find ourself in the ludicrous situation where a figure of fun such as Jamie Bryson has presented himself as an unelected spokesperson for Unionism/Loyalism and is taking legal action against the UK government.       

William Hague in the Daily Telegraph

"For the DUP, the separate treatment of Northern Ireland is unacceptable. Yet when Theresa May went to the extreme length of keeping the whole of the UK in a closer arrangement with the EU to save them from this outcome, they were emphatically against that as well. They are also against leaving without a deal. Did it not occur to them when they campaigned for Brexit that it would be very likely to entail one of the three outcomes they are now against?"

Hague is totally correct here, they were totally seduced by the ERG and fell for it hook line and sinker. The Johnson's and the Rees-Moggs dropped their support for the DUP at the last minute prior to May's last attempt at getting a deal through, so it was not a shock to see them leave them behind again.

They have been more than happy for the Bryson loyalist types to ramp up the rhetoric with talk of betrayal acts and surrender since it deflects attention away from their complete ineptitude. Their are very few visionaries within the leadership of political unionism since they can never appear to see the bigger picture and every little grain of compromise is always seen as a defeat. Foster and Dodds have epitomised this approach from the outset.     

The Tories are now English Nationalists. The DUP should have figured that out.
https://www.ft.com/content/5063c4ce-f4c4-11e9-b018-3ef8794b17c6
"The Conservative party was once so fervently pro-unionist that its leaders incited illegal resistance to Irish self-government on the eve of the first world war. In the Brexit era, it has evolved into a party of English nationalism that feels scant emotional or political solidarity with Northern Irish Protestantism. According to a YouGov poll in June, a majority of Conservative party members are prepared to let Northern Ireland and Scotland leave the UK, just to make sure that England leaves the EU."

[Solo_run]

Unionism really doesn't help itself with the leaders it puts forward to represent it's people. The entire Brexit process could hardly have been handled any worse by the DUP leadership from the outset. It really ought to have self reflected on whether it's pursuit of a hard Brexit was in it's own best interest. However the doubling down on it's insistence that it had adopted the correct approach has led them into a situation now where it appears to be running out of road. Crying outrage now over the prospect of an 'economic united Ireland' when it is nothing of the sort appears to be some kind of attitude to whip up more fear and division and deflect any apportionment of blame elsewhere. Plenty of rational thinking people predicted that the Tories would ditch them if it was in their best interests to do so. Therefore it should not have come as any major surprise. The only surprise was in the fact that they placated them for as long as they did. 

Such is the void in leadership within Unionism we now find ourself in the ludicrous situation where a figure of fun such as Jamie Bryson has presented himself as an unelected spokesperson for Unionism/Loyalism and is taking legal action against the UK government.       

William Hague in the Daily Telegraph

"For the DUP, the separate treatment of Northern Ireland is unacceptable. Yet when Theresa May went to the extreme length of keeping the whole of the UK in a closer arrangement with the EU to save them from this outcome, they were emphatically against that as well. They are also against leaving without a deal. Did it not occur to them when they campaigned for Brexit that it would be very likely to entail one of the three outcomes they are now against?"

Hague is totally correct here, they were totally seduced by the ERG and fell for it hook line and sinker. The Johnson's and the Rees-Moggs dropped their support for the DUP at the last minute prior to May's last attempt at getting a deal through, so it was not a shock to see them leave them behind again.

They have been more than happy for the Bryson loyalist types to ramp up the rhetoric with talk of betrayal acts and surrender since it deflects attention away from their complete ineptitude. TheRE are very few visionaries within the leadership of political unionism since they can never appear to see the bigger picture and every little grain of compromise is always seen as a defeat. Foster and Dodds have epitomised this approach from the outset.     

They only say yes when there is ££ involved. When they do say yes they are almost always in the wrong RHI for example.

[playwiththewind1st]

Their perception would be that the Scots would be a pack of pesky spongers whereas NI would be loyal subjects committed to the union and the flag.

You're quite right there, except that the last word is fleg.

[armaghniac]

The Tories are now English Nationalists. The DUP should have figured that out.
https://www.ft.com/content/5063c4ce-f4c4-11e9-b018-3ef8794b17c6
"The Conservative party was once so fervently pro-unionist that its leaders incited illegal resistance to Irish self-government on the eve of the first world war. In the Brexit era, it has evolved into a party of English nationalism that feels scant emotional or political solidarity with Northern Irish Protestantism. According to a YouGov poll in June, a majority of Conservative party members are prepared to let Northern Ireland and Scotland leave the UK, just to make sure that England leaves the EU."

Ashcroft has another poll.
It is clear that the Brexit mob would throw out Scotland or NI if they were holding things up.

[t_mac]

I have a horrible feeling both will pass tonight.

[Solo_run]

I have a horrible feeling both will pass tonight.

Same

[omaghjoe]

Would be kinda funny if it was a tie and Bercow had to vote with the government

[t_mac]

Bojo wins first vote, look after your Irish Passport.

[RedHand88]

Holy ghost.

[t_mac]

Passed 52 48 ouch.

[omaghjoe]

By 30 with 10 or so abstentions , thats a lot to turn around.

But then the leave Lab MPs will at least now be able to say they voted for it now so they may go back to the whip.

[RedHand88]

Some of those Labour MPs and independents really really don't want a general election.