Mr & Mrs Robinson

[mayogodhelpus@gmail.com]

A mainstream unionist view?

The greatest fear evolving is that if an election is called the DUP will split to leave SF as the largest party and with first minister.

I say this for three reasons. First, it would crucify the DUP, because they were the ones who swore to "smash Sinn Fein". Yet a SF 1st Minister could never have happened under the GFA (which required cross-community acceptance), until the DUP renegotiated at St. Andrews to give the Office to the leader of the largest party.

Second, the First Minister's chair could actually prove to be a "hot seat" rather than a throne for Wee Marty (and SF), for after the initial "warm glow" ahd worn off, it would be more evident than ever that far from leading everyone further down the road to a United Ireland, the GFA/SAA have in fact, only served to lock NI into the UK. And if SF cannot alter that fact, even when the largest Party and occupying the 1st Minister's chair, then even the most myopic of their supporters would be hard pushed to refute the charge that by their endorsement of Stormont, they are merely administering British Rule in Ireland. (In colonial times, this might have earned them the soubriquet of "House Boy", but in the Irish context, I guess that "Land Agent" would be a more appropriate term! 

Ha ha the next time I meet a drunk Shinner in a pub I can sing "take it down from the mast Irish tratiors" ha ha, what goes around comes around.

[ziggysego]

When is the next election then?

Surely there are some members of the DUP with morals who are ashamed and hurt by the ineptitude of their leader that want action done? they cant be all in it together, can they?

Westminister. Probably the Summer.

[updown9194]

Second, the First Minister's chair could actually prove to be a "hot seat" rather than a throne for Wee Marty (and SF), for after the initial "warm glow" ahd worn off, it would be more evident than ever that far from leading everyone further down the road to a United Ireland, the GFA/SAA have in fact, only served to lock NI into the UK. And if SF cannot alter that fact, even when the largest Party and occupying the 1st Minister's chair, then even the most myopic of their supporters would be hard pushed to refute the charge that by their endorsement of Stormont, they are merely administering British Rule in Ireland. (In colonial times, this might have earned them the soubriquet of "House Boy", but in the Irish context, I guess that "Land Agent" would be a more appropriate term! 

Your opinions don't even remotely add up to anything resembling truth. How would Sinn Fein be administering British Rule in Ireland if they are the ones doing the administration? Unionists are seriously deluded if these are the hopes they're clinging onto, and in any place it doesn't add up when you look at the mass hysteria that the DUP brought up over Sinn Fein being the biggest party in the 6 counties.

[magickingdom]

A mainstream unionist view?

The greatest fear evolving is that if an election is called the DUP will split to leave SF as the largest party and with first minister.

Though it changes with every successive revelation(!), my latest suspcion is that PR will somehow hang on as 1st Minister. I say that for three reasons.

First, any aspiring challengers within the DUP will be reluctant to strike, both because of any dirt he may be holding over them, but also because they know that they could be anihilated at the forthcoming Westminster elections (and any Stormont elections precipitated by the crisis). Second, the British and Irish Governments may protect PR, for fear that any successor will likely be even more hardline. Finally, SF may even want to keep PR in position for that reason, especially since PR will be easier to deal with now that he's weakened.

Of course, I could be entirely wrong about that, so that SF do, in fact, emerge as the biggest party and so get Art Garfunkle in as First Minister [sic - I somehow doubt they'll continue to try to use the moniker "Joint First Minister", which they've been trying to plant in peoples minds recently!).

And you know what? As a Unionist, I don't think that this would necessarily be such a bad thing - something I couldn't ever have imagined myself ever saying even a month ago!

Sure, it would give SF a popularity boost, as well as a propaganda coup. and they would no doubt use the Office to make mischief over a whole range of issues, both serious (eg Policing and Justice) and unimportant (eg Irish Language). But in the long run, it could even work out for the benefit of the Union.

I say this for three reasons. First, it would crucify the DUP, because they were the ones who swore to "smash Sinn Fein". Yet a SF 1st Minister could never have happened under the GFA (which required cross-community acceptance), until the DUP renegotiated at St. Andrews to give the Office to the leader of the largest party.

Second, the First Minister's chair could actually prove to be a "hot seat" rather than a throne for Wee Marty (and SF), for after the initial "warm glow" ahd worn off, it would be more evident than ever that far from leading everyone further down the road to a United Ireland, the GFA/SAA have in fact, only served to lock NI into the UK. And if SF cannot alter that fact, even when the largest Party and occupying the 1st Minister's chair, then even the most myopic of their supporters would be hard pushed to refute the charge that by their endorsement of Stormont, they are merely administering British Rule in Ireland. (In colonial times, this might have earned them the soubriquet of "House Boy", but in the Irish context, I guess that "Land Agent" would be a more appropriate term! 

Finally, with it at last being clearly established that the status of NI is not going to change by any method other than a referendum of all the people within NI (only), then moderate Unionists can drop the siege mentality, forget about the border, stop worrying about being "out-oranged" by hardliners and get down to "ordinary (i.e. right vs left) politics, like the rest of the UK (and Europe).

And on this last point, the present tentative steps towards merger between the UUP and Conservatives is a move in that direction. If the DUP were to be mortally wounded, so that the only alternative for Unionist voters were the dinosaurs of the TUV, then I feel that those small steps could become giant strides.

really eg your starting to lose it, is there any bad news in your unionism? a sf 1st minister might be good for the union? p robinson is finished even tho he doesnt know it yet and may hang on for 6 months but he redefines lame duck in his current incarnation. this scandal will not leave him no matter what he does. so marty as first minister might be good for the union? do you think he wont spend his time standing under tricolours? i thought a sf minister for education was a tough one for unionist to swallow, trust me they will choke if sf gets the position of 1st minister.

A mainstream unionist view?

The greatest fear evolving is that if an election is called the DUP will split to leave SF as the largest party and with first minister.

I say this for three reasons. First, it would crucify the DUP, because they were the ones who swore to "smash Sinn Fein". Yet a SF 1st Minister could never have happened under the GFA (which required cross-community acceptance), until the DUP renegotiated at St. Andrews to give the Office to the leader of the largest party.

Second, the First Minister's chair could actually prove to be a "hot seat" rather than a throne for Wee Marty (and SF), for after the initial "warm glow" ahd worn off, it would be more evident than ever that far from leading everyone further down the road to a United Ireland, the GFA/SAA have in fact, only served to lock NI into the UK. And if SF cannot alter that fact, even when the largest Party and occupying the 1st Minister's chair, then even the most myopic of their supporters would be hard pushed to refute the charge that by their endorsement of Stormont, they are merely administering British Rule in Ireland. (In colonial times, this might have earned them the soubriquet of "House Boy", but in the Irish context, I guess that "Land Agent" would be a more appropriate term! 

Ha ha the next time I meet a drunk Shinner in a pub I can sing "take it down from the mast Irish tratiors" ha ha, what goes around comes around.

is there anything but blueshirts left in mayo? i have never voted sf in my life and probably never will but while i'm thinking of abandoning ff where do i go? most of your posts are top class but the one above shows why i'm always uncomfortable with fg. i voted fg in the european elections (sean kelly was about the only one that could make me ) and the nexd day nearly puked when kenny was on about fg 'new' voters

[brokencrossbar1]

Peter Robinson as a politician is finished and the DUP as a party are finished.  When the Robinson affair is over there is another story waiting quietly in the wings which will knock the "God" fearing voters over the edge completely if they haven't gone yet.  This will be revealed before the election and will take out one of their stars by the roots and they will lose a massive following.  Unfortunately there is not great leadership elsewhere in the unionist "family" and there will be a big split.  SF will come back as largest party if they can get over the Liam Adams issue without too much damage.

Still looking good for a 2016 handover

[Maguire01]

Second, the First Minister's chair could actually prove to be a "hot seat" rather than a throne for Wee Marty (and SF), for after the initial "warm glow" ahd worn off, it would be more evident than ever that far from leading everyone further down the road to a United Ireland, the GFA/SAA have in fact, only served to lock NI into the UK. And if SF cannot alter that fact, even when the largest Party and occupying the 1st Minister's chair, then even the most myopic of their supporters would be hard pushed to refute the charge that by their endorsement of Stormont, they are merely administering British Rule in Ireland. (In colonial times, this might have earned them the soubriquet of "House Boy", but in the Irish context, I guess that "Land Agent" would be a more appropriate term! 

Your opinions don't even remotely add up to anything resembling truth. How would Sinn Fein be administering British Rule in Ireland if they are the ones doing the administration? Unionists are seriously deluded if these are the hopes they're clinging onto, and in any place it doesn't add up when you look at the mass hysteria that the DUP brought up over Sinn Fein being the biggest party in the 6 counties.

Sorry, but how would they not? What do you think they are administering?

[pintsofguinness]

Peter Robinson as a politician is finished and the DUP as a party are finished.  When the Robinson affair is over there is another story waiting quietly in the wings which will knock the "God" fearing voters over the edge completely if they haven't gone yet.  This will be revealed before the election and will take out one of their stars by the roots and they will lose a massive following.  Unfortunately there is not great leadership elsewhere in the unionist "family" and there will be a big split.  SF will come back as largest party if they can get over the Liam Adams issue without too much damage.

Still looking good for a 2016 handover

Unfortunately? You'd want to nip that talk in the bud before you move back to God's country.

[orangeman]

Peter Robinson as a politician is finished and the DUP as a party are finished.  When the Robinson affair is over there is another story waiting quietly in the wings which will knock the "God" fearing voters over the edge completely if they haven't gone yet.  This will be revealed before the election and will take out one of their stars by the roots and they will lose a massive following.  Unfortunately there is not great leadership elsewhere in the unionist "family" and there will be a big split. SF will come back as largest party if they can get over the Liam Adams issue without too much damage.
Still looking good for a 2016 handover

A very big if.


Expect to see SF being given the treatment of this and any other transgressions. The securocrats will be dishing the dirt soon in response.

[Maguire01]

Finally, SF may even want to keep PR in position for that reason, especially since PR will be easier to deal with now that he's weakened.

I don't buy that for one minute. If Peter Robinson manages to hang on for a while, he'll be proving his credentials to his party and the DUP voters. The idea that he'd be easier for SF to deal with, that he might now devolve P&J powers for example... I can't see it. If anything, he'll be more hardline.

[Bensars]

If this went to a general election and with the disarray expected within the DUP and unionism i could see SF dominate the nationalist vote. Irrespective of traditional voting patterns within nationalism, IMO most nationalists would lump on behind SF because of the significance of what could be achieved.

[stew]

Peter Robinson as a politician is finished and the DUP as a party are finished.  When the Robinson affair is over there is another story waiting quietly in the wings which will knock the "God" fearing voters over the edge completely if they haven't gone yet.  This will be revealed before the election and will take out one of their stars by the roots and they will lose a massive following.  Unfortunately there is not great leadership elsewhere in the unionist "family" and there will be a big split.  SF will come back as largest party if they can get over the Liam Adams issue without too much damage.

Still looking good for a 2016 handover

The virus has been kicked out, fair enough, that the party did not force the punts resignation speaks volumes, the should have had him stand down immediately. Thankfully it seems that with more, much more to come they, the DUP will be on the political scrapheap before too long.

2016 sounds good to me.

[mayogodhelpus@gmail.com]

I say this for three reasons. First, it would crucify the DUP, because they were the ones who swore to "smash Sinn Fein". Yet a SF 1st Minister could never have happened under the GFA (which required cross-community acceptance), until the DUP renegotiated at St. Andrews to give the Office to the leader of the largest party.

Second, the First Minister's chair could actually prove to be a "hot seat" rather than a throne for Wee Marty (and SF), for after the initial "warm glow" ahd worn off, it would be more evident than ever that far from leading everyone further down the road to a United Ireland, the GFA/SAA have in fact, only served to lock NI into the UK. And if SF cannot alter that fact, even when the largest Party and occupying the 1st Minister's chair, then even the most myopic of their supporters would be hard pushed to refute the charge that by their endorsement of Stormont, they are merely administering British Rule in Ireland. (In colonial times, this might have earned them the soubriquet of "House Boy", but in the Irish context, I guess that "Land Agent" would be a more appropriate term! 

Ha ha the next time I meet a drunk Shinner in a pub I can sing "take it down from the mast Irish tratiors" ha ha, what goes around comes around.
[/quote]


is there anything but blueshirts left in mayo? i have never voted sf in my life and probably never will but while i'm thinking of abandoning ff where do i go? most of your posts are top class but the one above shows why i'm always uncomfortable with fg. i voted fg in the european elections (sean kelly was about the only one that could make me ) and the nexd day nearly puked when kenny was on about fg 'new' voters[/color]
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Think you missed my point MagicKingdom, I was laughing at Evil Genuis post, I enjoy a good dig at Sinn Fein anyday no matter the source. I have come across many of the "take it down from the mast Irish traitors" singing brigade, and they are full of shit, it might be just funny to sing it back to them for once. You do know that all the parties South of the border + SDLP are all United Ireland Parties, Sinn Fein may try and hog the spotlight, but thats just because thats all that party has going on, if at all.

[brokencrossbar1]

Peter Robinson as a politician is finished and the DUP as a party are finished.  When the Robinson affair is over there is another story waiting quietly in the wings which will knock the "God" fearing voters over the edge completely if they haven't gone yet.  This will be revealed before the election and will take out one of their stars by the roots and they will lose a massive following.  Unfortunately there is not great leadership elsewhere in the unionist "family" and there will be a big split.  SF will come back as largest party if they can get over the Liam Adams issue without too much damage.

Still looking good for a 2016 handover

Unfortunately? You'd want to nip that talk in the bud before you move back to God's country.

Sorry POG slip of the typing finger

Peter Robinson as a politician is finished and the DUP as a party are finished.  When the Robinson affair is over there is another story waiting quietly in the wings which will knock the "God" fearing voters over the edge completely if they haven't gone yet.  This will be revealed before the election and will take out one of their stars by the roots and they will lose a massive following.  Unfortunately there is not great leadership elsewhere in the unionist "family" and there will be a big split. SF will come back as largest party if they can get over the Liam Adams issue without too much damage.
Still looking good for a 2016 handover

A very big if.


Expect to see SF being given the treatment of this and any other transgressions. The securocrats will be dishing the dirt soon in response.

I think they will get through it.  Adams will be taking less of a role in the election I reckon and wee Martin is the de facto leader anyway.  I reckon Adams may not even run in the election and be more of a figure head leader than doing anything on the ground with Conor Murphy stepping up to second in command behind McGuinness.

Dodds is the replacement for PR and doesn't have thd charisma to lead.  Empey in the UU is a fool and no one jumps out as being able to lead unionism. Fcuked I tell ye!

Peter Robinson as a politician is finished and the DUP as a party are finished.  When the Robinson affair is over there is another story waiting quietly in the wings which will knock the "God" fearing voters over the edge completely if they haven't gone yet.  This will be revealed before the election and will take out one of their stars by the roots and they will lose a massive following.  Unfortunately there is not great leadership elsewhere in the unionist "family" and there will be a big split.  SF will come back as largest party if they can get over the Liam Adams issue without too much damage.

Still looking good for a 2016 handover

The virus has been kicked out, fair enough, that the party did not force the punts resignation speaks volumes, the should have had him stand down immediately. Thankfully it seems that with more, much more to come they, the DUP will be on the political scrapheap before too long.

2016 sounds good to me.

Ye might even come home then for good

[Bensars]

Wonder whats to be revealed tomorrow night? Appaerently Gerry Kelly alluded to this earlier today in an interview?

Seany if youre out there lurking, rejoin and send a pm

[Maguire01]

Who told Breen the Virus was riding Billy the Butcher?

Source not named or referred to.

Who told her she was riding the other DUP member?

Off-duty security forces that were providing protection for the Robinsons.

Does she name the other DUP member?
If not, why does she name Billy the Butcher and not the DUP member?

She does not name the other DUP member, but says "his name is known to this newspaper" and "We are not publishing his name to protect his privacy".


Very interesting story though. Quite amazing to read the level of personal contact that a journalist would have with a politician and definitely shows you a few sides to Iris Robinson that you don't normally see.


As for the story of Iris having had two other affairs, The Tribune wasn't the only paper that ran with that - the Sunday Life was a bit less subtle.