Sinn Fein? They have gone away, you know.

[haveaharp]

An absolute cracker of a performance from Phil Flanagan on Nolan. Clueless isn't the word - absolutely ripped to shreds. Well worth a listen. You'll either laugh or cry, depending on your particular allegiances.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04jm00z (near the start of the programme)
The thing is, he was actually on the right side of the argument. It should have been like scoring into an open net. Yet he managed to made a total mess of it. A real insight into how well SF is on top of the detail.

SF has also been caught bluffing on their welfare stats, quoting a NICVA report and claiming that welfare reform will take £750m out of welfare. NICVA has come out and said that over £500m of that has already been taken out and that SF is reporting on historic figures. So either SF is bluffing, or their politicians genuinely don't understand.

Then there was Maeve McLaughlin on GMU this morning on the abortion issue, unwilling or unable to give a straight answer to the interviewer on the party's position - caught between the more liberal party in the south, and playing to the 'catholic' vote in the north. SF really lacking the courage of their convictions on this one.

Would the abortion issue not be up to the individual rather than a party stance ?

[armaghniac]

SF has also been caught bluffing on their welfare stats, quoting a NICVA report and claiming that welfare reform will take £750m out of welfare. NICVA has come out and said that over £500m of that has already been taken out and that SF is reporting on historic figures. So either SF is bluffing, or their politicians genuinely don't understand.

Politicians on this island place little value on facts, everything is how you feel about something and spin.
That said Fat Nolan's claims to be in support of fact and accuracy is risible, given the crap he features.

Too true. Look at the new minister for health. An inbred from kilkeel who believes the world was created 2000 years ago. Just like the last minister for health. Clowns running the place.

In fairness, if you were in the DUP in Kilkeel you wouldn't see much evidence for evolution around you.

[Applesisapples]

SF's stance on abortion is at odds with their stance on all other social issues. I would think that McLaughlin may well be pro choice but must toe the expedient party line which does not want to alienate the right wing catholic element of their support. That said I personally would waver between pro choice dependant on circumstances and support for an unborn child. difficult issue.

[glens abu]

An absolute cracker of a performance from Phil Flanagan on Nolan. Clueless isn't the word - absolutely ripped to shreds. Well worth a listen. You'll either laugh or cry, depending on your particular allegiances.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04jm00z (near the start of the programme)
The thing is, he was actually on the right side of the argument. It should have been like scoring into an open net. Yet he managed to made a total mess of it. A real insight into how well SF is on top of the detail.

SF has also been caught bluffing on their welfare stats, quoting a NICVA report and claiming that welfare reform will take £750m out of welfare. NICVA has come out and said that over £500m of that has already been taken out and that SF is reporting on historic figures. So either SF is bluffing, or their politicians genuinely don't understand.

Then there was Maeve McLaughlin on GMU this morning on the abortion issue, unwilling or unable to give a straight answer to the interviewer on the party's position - caught between the more liberal party in the south, and playing to the 'catholic' vote in the north. SF really lacking the courage of their convictions on this one.

100% Flanagan was awful on Nolan but more a case of him not being over the brief rather than lying,think later Maskey can on and cleared this up.Regarding SF policy on abortion it is very simple.SF are against abortion  on demand and against the 1967 act being approved in the North.They agree on the woman's  right to choose were her life is in danger and also in the case incest or rape.

[Maguire01]

An absolute cracker of a performance from Phil Flanagan on Nolan. Clueless isn't the word - absolutely ripped to shreds. Well worth a listen. You'll either laugh or cry, depending on your particular allegiances.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04jm00z (near the start of the programme)
The thing is, he was actually on the right side of the argument. It should have been like scoring into an open net. Yet he managed to made a total mess of it. A real insight into how well SF is on top of the detail.

SF has also been caught bluffing on their welfare stats, quoting a NICVA report and claiming that welfare reform will take £750m out of welfare. NICVA has come out and said that over £500m of that has already been taken out and that SF is reporting on historic figures. So either SF is bluffing, or their politicians genuinely don't understand.

Then there was Maeve McLaughlin on GMU this morning on the abortion issue, unwilling or unable to give a straight answer to the interviewer on the party's position - caught between the more liberal party in the south, and playing to the 'catholic' vote in the north. SF really lacking the courage of their convictions on this one.

Would the abortion issue not be up to the individual rather than a party stance ?

SF don't do individual opinions.

[glens abu]

An absolute cracker of a performance from Phil Flanagan on Nolan. Clueless isn't the word - absolutely ripped to shreds. Well worth a listen. You'll either laugh or cry, depending on your particular allegiances.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04jm00z (near the start of the programme)
The thing is, he was actually on the right side of the argument. It should have been like scoring into an open net. Yet he managed to made a total mess of it. A real insight into how well SF is on top of the detail.

SF has also been caught bluffing on their welfare stats, quoting a NICVA report and claiming that welfare reform will take £750m out of welfare. NICVA has come out and said that over £500m of that has already been taken out and that SF is reporting on historic figures. So either SF is bluffing, or their politicians genuinely don't understand.

Then there was Maeve McLaughlin on GMU this morning on the abortion issue, unwilling or unable to give a straight answer to the interviewer on the party's position - caught between the more liberal party in the south, and playing to the 'catholic' vote in the north. SF really lacking the courage of their convictions on this one.

Would the abortion issue not be up to the individual rather than a party stance ?

SF don't do individual opinions.

Well you can have your own opinion but if you are speaking on behalf of the party you tow the party line.As it should be.

[Ulick]

Some craic this Sinn Féin thread, especially the first few pages. Imagine where they'd be now if they'd got rid of that liability Adams.

[Rossfan]

Have to put this somewhere -
Didn't give any preferences to FF/FG/Lab/SF today in the Ros/Sth Laythrum By Election.
Voted for 4 of the Independents ( Ignored Crosby - an ex FF b***x and O'Boyle - a one trick pony ranter).

[Maguire01]

They've done nothing in the north, they've stopped nothing. They've just passed the cuts destined for welfare onto the other departments. They also joined the DUP in passing the Public Service Pension Bill - http://socialistpartyni.net/workplace/assembly-politicians-savage-workers-pensions/#.VCB1QytdWKw

The most striking thing about that link is that it states that there are 250,000 public servants in NI! In the 26 counties there are about 280,000, which some people consider an unreasonable number, although these are probably wrong.

Just spotted on BBC, the current figure is 212,000.

[armaghniac]

One wonders what all of these 212000 do?Things like social services, ambulances eta do not seem overstaffed.

[Mourne Rover]

Charlie Tully, the new health minister is definitely not an `in-bred from Kilkeel.' He may be a resident of the town but he comes from Moira.

He is also unlikely to believe that the world began 2,000 years ago, as that would mean it did not exist when Jesus was born. Creationists usually maintain that the Earth is around 6,000 years old.

However, we can probably agree that his term of office is unlikely to be dull.

[Kidder81]

Paul Murphy running Sinn Fein very close in Dublin South West in what would be a shock if he won

[AQMP]

Low turnout may do for Shinners. Still not transfer friendly, looks like Murphy is going to squeeze through

[Maguire01]

Some craic this Sinn Féin thread, especially the first few pages. Imagine where they'd be now if they'd got rid of that liability Adams.

Maybe with another TD?

[charlieTully]

Charlie Tully, the new health minister is definitely not an `in-bred from Kilkeel.' He may be a resident of the town but he comes from Moira.

He is also unlikely to believe that the world began 2,000 years ago, as that would mean it did not exist when Jesus was born. Creationists usually maintain that the Earth is around 6,000 years old.

However, we can probably agree that his term of office is unlikely to be dull.

I stand corrected MR. Apologies if you are from Kilkeel.