Sinn Fein? They have gone away, you know.

[AustinPowers]

If the SF Bill (or stunt) had been passed would that make Ireland united???

Would it not be better to make a start on the groundwork rather than voting against it over lets face it bullshit party politics.

Mehole and Co. aren't  going to  vote themselves out of existence, hence their  continual  foot-dragging on any preparation for a united Ireland.

Party before country.

Is the new Ireland going to be a 1 Party State?

No, but FF/FG know  if a UI happened tomorrow,  they  will be  outnumbered  not only by SF , but  maybe even a combined unionist vote  as well (if an All Ireland parliament was  the outcome).

Hence, the foot dragging.

Actually not sure that votes would stay with SF post unification
They have been middling to poor in government here in the 6 counties
We vote sf here simply because it's green v orange
Alliance is irrelevant

So, those 250,000 odd SF voters in the north  would suddenly vote for FF/FG post unification? Two Parties who  don't  run candidates up north , and who  are both clearly an obstacle to a UI?

[general_lee]

I don't know anyone expects a party to perform when you have a mandatory coalition with a bunch of belligerent  Loyalists like the DUP.

[Rossfan]

Dear Austin,
the biggest obstacle to a UI is the majority in the 6 Cos who don't currently want it.
Giving out about "FFG"(sic) won't change that.

After reunification there won't be a need for a "Green" (Catholic/Nationalist) party in the North. SF might reinvent themselves as a populist party for moaners, whingers, etc- they're more or less that in the 26 anyway.
Most of Fascist Steenson's transfers went to SF.
Their once left of centre voters are going to Social Democrats.

[AustinPowers]

Dear Austin,
the biggest obstacle to a UI is the majority in the 6 Cos who don't currently want it.
Giving out about "FFG"(sic) won't change that.

After reunification there won't be a need for a "Green" (Catholic/Nationalist) party in the North. SF might reinvent themselves as a populist party for moaners, whingers, etc- they're more or less that in the 26 anyway.
Most of Fascist Steenson's transfers went to SF.
Their once left of centre voters are going to Social Democrats.

You forgot to put "yours sincerely "  at the end

[JollyGreenGiant]

If the SF Bill (or stunt) had been passed would that make Ireland united???

FFG were clear they aren't against the spirit of it, but were unsure about the strict timelines. It's common at national and local government level to be in favour of the spirit of something but oppose the substantive measures in a bill. That doesn't mean an opposition in principle.

SF and their fanboys will paint it that way, of course.

[marty34]

If the SF Bill (or stunt) had been passed would that make Ireland united???

FFG were clear they aren't against the spirit of it, but were unsure about the strict timelines. It's common at national and local government level to be in favour of the spirit of something but oppose the substantive measures in a bill. That doesn't mean an opposition in principle.

SF and their fanboys will paint it that way, of course.

FFG are very unsure on timelines.  Just look at the NCH's for instance.


Great to see FFG being 'outed' on this issue.

[Snapchap]

If the SF Bill (or stunt) had been passed would that make Ireland united???

FFG were clear they aren't against the spirit of it, but were unsure about the strict timelines. It's common at national and local government level to be in favour of the spirit of something but oppose the substantive measures in a bill. That doesn't mean an opposition in principle.

SF and their fanboys will paint it that way, of course.

Is it also common for parties to find nitpicking excuses to oppose a bill which they would like to pretend they otherwise support?

[Armagh18]

Then propose amendments to dates etc rather than flat out rejecting it.

Smells absolutely rotten to me and just playing party politics with something should be above all that.

[trueblue1234]

Dear Austin,
the biggest obstacle to a UI is the majority in the 6 Cos who don't currently want it.
Giving out about "FFG"(sic) won't change that.

After reunification there won't be a need for a "Green" (Catholic/Nationalist) party in the North. SF might reinvent themselves as a populist party for moaners, whingers, etc- they're more or less that in the 26 anyway.
Most of Fascist Steenson's transfers went to SF.
Their once left of centre voters are going to Social Democrats.

I think it's underestimated the distaste of FFG in the North. They would not easily pick up voters here in the event of a UI. And I think that's a fact they are well aware of.

[JollyGreenGiant]

If the SF Bill (or stunt) had been passed would that make Ireland united???

FFG were clear they aren't against the spirit of it, but were unsure about the strict timelines. It's common at national and local government level to be in favour of the spirit of something but oppose the substantive measures in a bill. That doesn't mean an opposition in principle.

SF and their fanboys will paint it that way, of course.

Is it also common for parties to find nitpicking excuses to oppose a bill which they would like to pretend they otherwise support?

That's called scrutiny. It's not "nitpicking".

[JollyGreenGiant]

Then propose amendments to dates etc rather than flat out rejecting it.

Smells absolutely rotten to me and just playing party politics with something should be above all that.

To me there is the alternative that SF put forward a bill that has actual questions around how it would operate within the terms of the bill. Will they return with the bill and amendments themselves? Perhaps if they approached it on a cross party basis the bill could have been agreed?

[Armagh18]

Dear Austin,
the biggest obstacle to a UI is the majority in the 6 Cos who don't currently want it.
Giving out about "FFG"(sic) won't change that.

After reunification there won't be a need for a "Green" (Catholic/Nationalist) party in the North. SF might reinvent themselves as a populist party for moaners, whingers, etc- they're more or less that in the 26 anyway.
Most of Fascist Steenson's transfers went to SF.
Their once left of centre voters are going to Social Democrats.

I think it's underestimated the distaste of FFG in the North. They would not easily pick up voters here in the event of a UI. And I think that's a fact they are well aware of.

Maybe if the DUP'ers implode over the Donaldson fall out they'd pick up votes from that base!

[Rossfan]

I think it's underestimated the distaste of FFG in the North. They would not easily pick up voters here in the event of a UI. And I think that's a fact they are well aware of.

Distaste among SF supporters I presume?
Alliance/SDLP hardly.
The various "U" parties still with heads in sand.

Anyway with PR elections you'll be looking at Coalitions after every election.
Centrist led more than likely.

Will all the U parties become a single "Ulster British" party??
A bit like the Protestant Association that ran in Donegal and Monaghan up to the 1970s?

[weareros]

Dear Austin,
the biggest obstacle to a UI is the majority in the 6 Cos who don't currently want it.
Giving out about "FFG"(sic) won't change that.

After reunification there won't be a need for a "Green" (Catholic/Nationalist) party in the North. SF might reinvent themselves as a populist party for moaners, whingers, etc- they're more or less that in the 26 anyway.
Most of Fascist Steenson's transfers went to SF.
Their once left of centre voters are going to Social Democrats.

I think it's underestimated the distaste of FFG in the North. They would not easily pick up voters here in the event of a UI. And I think that's a fact they are well aware of.

Disliked by nationalists and unionists (because of protocol). That said, in the event of a UI (which there will be), the people will have to decide who is best qualified to take control of the economic interests of the country. I doubt too many will bestow that responsibility on Sinn Féin or DUP. It will likely be some sort of centrist coalition. SF can claim they have two hands tied behind their back running Stormont but neither they or DUP have shown any kind of economic gumption, done nothing to stop big farmer pollution, and all Bald Brit Burrows can do is copy Dublin economic policy by asking for lower corporation tax, which Stormont has had power to enact if they can produce a plan to UK treasury that they will recoup losses from reducing it and grow revenue. The biggest economic driver for North has been the Varadkar/Coveney protocol which has dramatically increased exports, but no one ever seems to highlight positive NISRA stats on this issue apart from Birnie putting a negative spin on it for Unionist readers by calling it diversion of trade from Britain to 26 counties.

[naka]

" Alliance is irrelevant"
Their voters will be the ones who decide the outcome of the referendum.

"FFG" in whatever guise or new partnership of centrists (Alliance/SDLP) will likely be the main choices of voters.
Sinn Féin waving tricolours (or the new All Ireland flag) and chanting populist slogans will be irrelevant.

As in irrelevant in that any right thinking nationalist in the 6 wouldn't vote alliance unless it's to unseat a unionist .