SDLP and Sinn Fein. Surely an electoral pact would make sense

[charlieTully]

lost the argument, i dont think so. my party make the decisions, yours feeds of the scraps from our table.

[ziggysego]

And once you've resorted to name-calling, you've lost the argument.

It's the Goodwin Law. Once someone is called Hitler in an on-line argument, the argument should stop there.

[Maguire01]

And once you've resorted to name-calling, you've lost the argument.

Who's name calling?

I was referring to Charlie.

[T Fearon]

Judging by the way this thread has degenerated into a Stoops V Shinners slagging match, which probably epitomises the general state of the relationship between both parties, I suppose this puts paid to the prospect of any pact

[Maguire01]

lost the argument, i dont think so. my party make the decisions, yours feeds of the scraps from our table.

I don't have a party. My views might be more closely aligned to some than others, but have no particular loyalty towards any.
Although i'd be interested to hear what "the decisions" are...
And what "the scraps" are...

[pintsofguinness]

They're both shit.

[Trevor Hill]

They're both shit.

Neither of them refuse their salaries. 

[Nally Stand]

All Sinn Fein elected reps at all levels earn the average industrial wage and the rest is donated to the party Trevor

[Trevor Hill]

Course they do  What about all those Westminster expenses, where do they go? Its strange that a party that used to aspire to a United Ireland can claim expenses for their offices at Westminster. Why do they need an office in the first place when they refuse to take their seats and represent the people who voted for them in the first place. And don't come out with the usual abstentionist bullshit, they have no problem taking their seats in Stormont, which after all is still a British parliament.

[TacadoirArdMhacha]

All the discussion about electoral pacts does is highlight the inequity of the "first past the post" system. I wouldn't be in favour of them, nor a single Nationalist party as having been in a political party myself it can be hard enough to find a party that your ideology can live with without limiting the options even further. The way the Westminster system operates electoral pacts, or at the very least community tactical voting, will always bubble under the surface.

[Nally Stand]

Firstly they still use Westminster facilities and resources to represent their constituents. People seem happy enough with this as they continue to vote SF in droves. Secondly, since when did an oath of allegiance to the british monarchy become part of taking your seat in the assembly?

[Gaffer]

All Sinn Fein elected reps at all levels earn the average industrial wage and the rest is donated to the party Trevor

Never believed that one. How can Gerry afford a holiday gaff in Donegal?

[Maguire01]

All Sinn Fein elected reps at all levels earn the average industrial wage and the rest is donated to the party Trevor

From an outsider's perspective, I don't see the relevance in this. It would be different if they took an industrial wage and handed the rest back. As it is, it doesn't seem like any great deed.

Although out of interest, what constitutes "an industrial wage" these days?

[ardmhachaabu]

All Sinn Fein elected reps at all levels earn the average industrial wage and the rest is donated to the party Trevor

Never believed that one. How can Gerry afford a holiday gaff in Donegal?

He also has one in Monaghan and one in Kerry

[Maguire01]

All Sinn Fein elected reps at all levels earn the average industrial wage and the rest is donated to the party Trevor

Never believed that one. How can Gerry afford a holiday gaff in Donegal?

He also has one in Monaghan and one in Kerry

The industrial sector must be doing better than the news would suggest.