The saviour of the Union

[Eamonnca1]

Wasn't a massive expansion of the public sector what killed the Troubles in the end?

Well that was part of it. But you can't carry that top-heavy public sector into a united Ireland. Something has to replace it as a source of employment.

[cadence]

we're all a bit of a mixture of capitalist and socialist policies as far as i can see. if we were totally capitalist, there'd be no taxation and no safety net whatsoever. course the other way around, there'd be no free enterprise.

there is, i think, a movement to end universalism in the uk. no more unemployment benefit per se, now you have to prove you are looking for work to qualify for jsa for example. work = ethical and a way out of poverty apparently. shame we don't defend these rights better, as they're hugely needed and socially and economically beneficial if you invest in the right type of industries and manufactoring, but there you go.

i shall vacate the soap box for another of my bredren.

You don't have to prove you are looking for work, you could say you looked in the papers for example for jobs.

that doesn't suffice these days. there are steeper demands brought in under the mandatory work activity programme. the days when claimants could say they had a look in the papers are largely gone.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/feb/15/thousands-unemployed-work-without-pay?INTCMP=SRCH

[LeoMc]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-21140469

Not sure if this is the right place for this post but I could not be bothered hunting for the United Ireland discussion.

[magpie seanie]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-21140469

Not sure if this is the right place for this post but I could not be bothered hunting for the United Ireland discussion.

I'm a bit concerned the DUP might be reading this situation correctly and have outflanked SF on this. The only thing is I would be loath to underestimate SF when it comes to the ballot box.

[Jeepers Creepers]

Won't work this time but gets the ball rolling. Think that is the idea if you ask me.

[T Fearon]

What happens if it ends in a draw? A penalty shoot out between DUP and SF?

[Onion Bag]

Will they get another pop at this if it doesnt go their road this time (Thats if it happens)

[Arthur_Friend]

After the first referendum there has to be one every seven years?

[Hardy]

There can't be one for another seven years. SF hardly expect a majority in favour of unity. I presume they're just establishing the principle, knowing the unionist parties are unlikely to oppose, given the certainty of defeat for the unity option, but making it less credible for them to oppose any future poll if there is a likelihood of success for the unity proposition.

[The Iceman]

are postal votes allowed for this?
I'd put mine in...

[LeoMc]

There can't be one for another seven years. SF hardly expect a majority in favour of unity. I presume they're just establishing the principle, knowing the unionist parties are unlikely to oppose, given the certainty of defeat for the unity option, but making it less credible for them to oppose any future poll if there is a likelihood of success for the unity proposition.

It will be like a 26 county referendum, keep having them until the correct result, then no going back.

[front of the mountain]

Say for instance the north voted for an UI does the 26 counties simply welcome with open arms or will a vote be need to rectify in free state also?? Would the structures of the Dail be altered? Or would Stormont remain as sub office?? Or this all in the air??

[glens abu]

Say for instance the north voted for an UI does the 26 counties simply welcome with open arms or will a vote be need to rectify in free state also?? Would the structures of the Dail be altered? Or would Stormont remain as sub office?? Or this all in the air??

That is why SF want to start the discussion around a UI so that when it does happen we have decided on all those points and the groundwork will be completed for the changes to happen.

[NAG1]

Say for instance the north voted for an UI does the 26 counties simply welcome with open arms or will a vote be need to rectify in free state also?? Would the structures of the Dail be altered? Or would Stormont remain as sub office?? Or this all in the air??

That is why SF want to start the discussion around a UI so that when it does happen we have decided on all those points and the groundwork will be completed for the changes to happen.

There will be some craic with the Fleg protesters then 

[glens abu]

Say for instance the north voted for an UI does the 26 counties simply welcome with open arms or will a vote be need to rectify in free state also?? Would the structures of the Dail be altered? Or would Stormont remain as sub office?? Or this all in the air??

That is why SF want to start the discussion around a UI so that when it does happen we have decided on all those points and the groundwork will be completed for the changes to happen.

There will be some craic with the Fleg protesters then 

Another reason that the DUP should get into the discussions and prepare their voters for this eventuality and not pretend that change will not happen as they have done in the past,the flag being a prime example.