The DUP thread

[Armagh18]

Surely a mistake for the UUP to try and be more staunch?

Any decent people voting for them will jump to Alliance and the knuckle draggers will always go TUV/DUP so they'll get pulled apart from both sides, abit like Labour with Greens/LidDems and the Reformatories.

[marty34]

I'd say they'll be a unionist pact this time. They are getting nervous so it'll happen this time with wee Seamy pulling the strings.

DUP want the 'First Minister' position back. Winning it back would be a big PR 'victory' for them. That's what they're gunning for now. You can see this is what they're gearing up for...from yesterday.

Nationalists could take aseat in Strangford and Lagan Valley maybe? But need to work together.

[JPGJOHNNYG]

I'd say they'll be a unionist pact this time. They are getting nervous so it'll happen this time with wee Seamy pulling the strings.

DUP want the 'First Minister' position back. Winning it back would be a big PR 'victory' for them. That's what they're gunning for now. You can see this is what they're gearing up for...from yesterday.

Nationalists could take aseat in Strangford and Lagan Valley maybe? But need to work together.

If they have any sense they will vote down the list anyway so a pact is counterproductive, if anything the more parties/choice the more likely people will turn out to vote just as long as they remember to then transfer wisely. The pacts only really work in the general election.

Can't see SF losing first minister position unless there is huge collapse in interest among nationalist voters

[drillsergeant]

I'd say they'll be a unionist pact this time. They are getting nervous so it'll happen this time with wee Seamy pulling the strings.

DUP want the 'First Minister' position back. Winning it back would be a big PR 'victory' for them. That's what they're gunning for now. You can see this is what they're gearing up for...from yesterday.

Nationalists could take aseat in Strangford and Lagan Valley maybe? But need to work together.

If they have any sense they will vote down the list anyway so a pact is counterproductive, if anything the more parties/choice the more likely people will turn out to vote just as long as they remember to then transfer wisely. The pacts only really work in the general election.

Can't see SF losing first minister position unless there is huge collapse in interest among nationalist voters

I can't see any Unionists packs in an assembly election. They will 100% do one in a Westminster election - don't rule out a UUCC style like 70s one Unionists running in each seat.

Correct me if I'm wrong folks is the DUP only one seat behind SF - I think Alex Easton once he became MP give his assembly seat to DUP even tho he was Independent.

SF don't look in any position to lose any of there seats - DUP claim they can win a seat in Belfast West. That final seat could have a say on the First Minister.

[gallsman]

DUP want the 'First Minister' position back. Winning it back would be a big PR 'victory' for them.

Of course it would be a victory for them. O'Neill winning it was absolutely a victory for SF. Can't have it both ways.

[AustinPowers]

I think it was  Robinson, who said  recently Nationalism doesn't have the First minister position. That  it's an equal role  with the deputy FM .  It's funny, I never heard that spoke of   until MON became FM.

I wonder if the DUP  regained FM role , would they still be pushing for  the two roles to be  renamed "joint FM's"?

[RedHand88]

SF are 2 seats ahead. In the case of a tie it goes to votes cast.

SF had 65k extra votes last time, they essentially have a far better goal difference.

[gallsman]

I think it was  Robinson, who said  recently Nationalism doesn't have the First minister position. That  it's an equal role  with the deputy FM .  It's funny, I never heard that spoke of   until MON became FM.

I wonder if the DUP  regained FM role , would they still be pushing for  the two roles to be  renamed "joint FM's"?

They were parroting that line as soon as it was apparent that SF had one.

Politician in "saying something to his electorate to cast electoral performance in better light" shocker.

[Brendan]

Potential SF gains if their vote holds up- East Derry and Upper Bann

Potential losses, West Belfast, and anywhere they hold 3 of the 5 seats available

[Deerstalker]

No matter what way it ends up will the governance improve, will we see any meaningful change in legislating and improving public services etc?

What they are currently serving up is an embarrassment

[Brendan]

No matter what way it ends up will the governance improve, will we see any meaningful change in legislating and improving public services etc?

What they are currently serving up is an embarrassment

Nope which is why I assume they'll lose seats they already have and their only chance of gains is by pushing the "vote us to get themuns out" narative

[playwiththewind1st]

No matter what way it ends up will the governance improve, will we see any meaningful change in legislating and improving public services etc?

What they are currently serving up is an embarrassment

But, you can be sure that the next so-called "independent" review mechanism will still award the greedy bastards another substantial pay award, in the next mandate.

[Milltown Row2]

I wonder if I put out it's a sectarian head count, will Snap say it's isn't?

[Wildweasel74]

In all honesty what good any of them, what key points of the last NI govt. Has been delivered?

[OakLeaf]

I wonder if I put out it's a sectarian head count, will Snap say it's isn't?

Unfortunately thats exactly what it is. The headcount might influence the timing of a border poll, but I think we could come up with a better measurement tool, than paying 108 clowns to deliver absolutely nothing.