NI's future in the United Kingdom could depend on Catholics - Robinson

[muppet]

A dead pot said this:

Its the kettles, stupid!

[Tubberman]

Jesus Christ, it's the same fcking thread over and over again.
The Presidential election thread was taken over with the same old blame game, now this thread is gone the same way.
It would sicken your hole.

[bennydorano]

Something I remember clearly from stupid arguments I was involved in on OWC many moons ago, was that when we reached a time when a UI seemed a genuine possibility (and would be voted for) a lot of the contingent on OWC thought it very fair that at that point the boundaries of NI should be redrawn again to rather than (once again) accepting the will of the majority.

[seafoid]

In a hypothetical UI Dublin would still get everything and Down would be relegated to the status of Cavan or Longford or Mayo or Wexford . 

[deiseach]

Something I remember clearly from stupid arguments I was involved in on OWC many moons ago, was that when we reached a time when a UI seemed a genuine possibility (and would be voted for) a lot of the contingent on OWC thought it very fair that at that point the boundaries of NI should be redrawn again to rather than (once again) accepting the will of the majority.

Seems about right. They insist they're entitled to a homeland, something that respectable opinion in Albion scoffs at when articulated by Turkish Cypriots or white South Africans.

[michaelg]

Something I remember clearly from stupid arguments I was involved in on OWC many moons ago, was that when we reached a time when a UI seemed a genuine possibility (and would be voted for) a lot of the contingent on OWC thought it very fair that at that point the boundaries of NI should be redrawn again to rather than (once again) accepting the will of the majority.

Seems about right. They insist they're entitled to a homeland, something that respectable opinion in Albion scoffs at when articulated by Turkish Cypriots or white South Africans.

Who are you? - Mary McAleese?
Lazy, bigoted comment

[Applesisapples]

Something I remember clearly from stupid arguments I was involved in on OWC many moons ago, was that when we reached a time when a UI seemed a genuine possibility (and would be voted for) a lot of the contingent on OWC thought it very fair that at that point the boundaries of NI should be redrawn again to rather than (once again) accepting the will of the majority.

Seems about right. They insist they're entitled to a homeland, something that respectable opinion in Albion scoffs at when articulated by Turkish Cypriots or white South Africans.

Sure we'll build them a reservation up around Portbalintrae.

[ardal]

Something I remember clearly from stupid arguments I was involved in on OWC many moons ago, was that when we reached a time when a UI seemed a genuine possibility (and would be voted for) a lot of the contingent on OWC thought it very fair that at that point the boundaries of NI should be redrawn again to rather than (once again) accepting the will of the majority.

Seems about right. They insist they're entitled to a homeland, something that respectable opinion in Albion scoffs at when articulated by Turkish Cypriots or white South Africans.

Who are you? - Mary McAleese?
Lazy, bigoted comment

Think you may have misunderstood the sentiment michaelg (where did all the proper nouns go?)

[armaghniac]

Sure we'll build them a reservation up around Portbalintrae.

From Newtownabbey to Larne would be ideal, leave them a boat route to go the Glasgow Rangers games.

[deiseach]

Seems about right. They insist they're entitled to a homeland, something that respectable opinion in Albion scoffs at when articulated by Turkish Cypriots or white South Africans.

Who are you? - Mary McAleese?
Lazy, bigoted comment

Okay michaelg, you explain to me why Ulster Unionists (for want of a better term) were entitled to a homeland while Turkish Cypriots and white South Africans are not

[haveaharp]

Seems about right. They insist they're entitled to a homeland, something that respectable opinion in Albion scoffs at when articulated by Turkish Cypriots or white South Africans.

Who are you? - Mary McAleese?
Lazy, bigoted comment

Okay michaelg, you explain to me why Ulster Unionists (for want of a better term) were entitled to a homeland while Turkish Cypriots and white South Africans are not

Wasn't it Paisley that said "id rather be British than fair"

[Jim_Murphy_74]

Something I remember clearly from stupid arguments I was involved in on OWC many moons ago, was that when we reached a time when a UI seemed a genuine possibility (and would be voted for) a lot of the contingent on OWC thought it very fair that at that point the boundaries of NI should be redrawn again to rather than (once again) accepting the will of the majority.

Seems about right. They insist they're entitled to a homeland, something that respectable opinion in Albion scoffs at when articulated by Turkish Cypriots or white South Africans.

Who are you? - Mary McAleese?
Lazy, bigoted comment

Why bigoted?

Surely too it would be lazy not to at least ask such a question?  When previously faced with such an issue, unionists took that position, why not again? 

/Jiim

[Evil Genius]

So, is this a sign that ' Ulster ' is truly doomed ?

The Stormont Executive's First Minister has said Northern Ireland's future in the United Kingdom could depend on Catholics, wary of Ireland's economic woes, voting across the traditional divide.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1119/robinsonp.html

Absolutely not!

Tbh, this reminds me of Robinson's claim before the last Assembly election that if Unionists didn't vote DUP, we could see a SF 1st Minister. That was never going to happen, but it did no harm in scaring Unionists into staying "staunch". This interview will do the same, whilst also subtly reminding Catholics/Nationalists that he is aware of their concerns etc. (Of course, I don't for one moment imagine RC's/Nats will now vote DUP - nor does Robinson. But if this induces complacency in them etc, then a failure by some of them to vote at all is enough to maintain the Unionist majority)

And, of course, it will be no coincidence that this piece appeared on the day of the TUV Annual Conference in Cookstown - thereby neatly drawing attention away from them.

I don't like the greedy hoor myself, but he's undeniably a clever political operator, is Robinson. 

[Evil Genius]

Figures out last month found that 49% of Northern Irish students at the province's universities were Catholics, while 35% were Protestants

the Protestant working class are in big trouble with stats like that.

There is no doubt that the lack of educational attainment among the Prod working class is a real problem economically and socially etc, but I don't see how it affects their political affiliations. In fact if anything, it makes tham more  likely to adhere to traditional working class Loyalism etc, rather than be attracted by the prospect of some sort of liberal democratic and secular United Ireland.

And anyhow, that figure is somewhat misleading, unless it is set against the number of Prods who cross the water to study in GB (many more than RC's, I suspect), at least some of whem will return to NI after graduating.

[Evil Genius]

Not necessarily, at least in the short to medium term. SF and the SDLP could get 60% of the vote, but it's only the vote on a referendum that matters. I don't think it would make any sense to push for a referendum until the nationalist vote is at least 55%.

As for the DUP attracting Catholics... I can't see it happening in any significant numbers. Robinson's reaction to the Prison Service emblems issue is a reminder of just how moderate the DUP is. Not very.

Catholics won't vote for the DUP any time soon. However a percentage could well vote to remain in the UK in a referendum mainly for "fear of change" reasons rather than "Castle Catholic/West Brit" reasons.

Spot on, on both counts.