SDLP and Sinn Fein. Surely an electoral pact would make sense

[Zapatista]

]WRT your first point, I accept that SF is becoming a bit broader in terms of its support base, that only happened when they told their military people to jettison the armed struggle in favour of them sitting in pubs + clubs day in and day out. 

In the article posted in the 'soon to be published voices from the grave' thread.  Darkie Hughes tells the joke Q. 'What is the difference between a Sticky (Official IRA) and a Provie (Provisional IRA).

A. Twenty years.

Fact of the matter is, he was right.  The current political setup in the north was best described by Seamus Mallon as 'Sunningdale for slow learners' - the same deal was on offer then and was rejected by unionists and republicans

SF didn't jettison the armed struggle. The IRA called an end to the armed struggle. SF were no more than a support group for the IRA. SF evoled from the end of the struggle. The IRA were in charge of all the proceedings and as they left the stage SF filled the vacume.

With respect to Dark he was wrong. The stickies left the stage when the brits were shooting innocent people who were looking for civil rights. The Provo's left at the GFA. Again your comparison doesn't hold water. Mallon was wrong too. The GFA was a product of all the concerned parties in agreement at a time when peace was a real (as has been proven) possibilty. Sunningdale was concoted in the middle of a war by a fraction of those involved. There was no way Sunningdale waould have worked. If you take the last few weeks and the thin line the GFA was hanging on after 12 years of relative peace how could you consider sunningdale would have worked? Again, the dark's and Mallons points don't hold water when really compared.

[ardmhachaabu]

Zap, we may differ in our analysis but it's always interesting to read your thoughts

[Zapatista]

Zap, we may differ in our analysis but it's always interesting to read your thoughts

Likewise.

[Nally Stand]

P.s you're right zap, addressed that to the wrong person! Apologies!