The DUP thread

[Last Man]

In my own personal experience, on the few occasions that I have felt the need to contact my local SF "representatives" I have been largely ignored. Subsequent to a follow up prompt from me I received a terse 2 line reply. Thought I might contact my local DUP rep with the same query, what a difference. A courteous response within 7 days promising to look into my questions and 2 further letters to keep me updated on progress.
SF are happy enough to show up for a smiley, back slapping photo opportunity but don't be asking them any "awkward" questions.

[Munchie]

A empty Tayto packet running on a SF ticket would get elected and there would as much substance in the empty packet, though the lad now representing Armagh seems a decent skin. 

[93-DY-SAM]

In my own personal experience, on the few occasions that I have felt the need to contact my local SF "representatives" I have been largely ignored. Subsequent to a follow up prompt from me I received a terse 2 line reply. Thought I might contact my local DUP rep with the same query, what a difference. A courteous response within 7 days promising to look into my questions and 2 further letters to keep me updated on progress.
SF are happy enough to show up for a smiley, back slapping photo opportunity but don't be asking them any "awkward" questions.

I've had exactly the opposite experience. Have had the SDLP at my door promising the moon and the stars and delivering nothing, but when I've spoken to SF on a few different matters, it has been sorted relatively quickly.

[Armagh18]

In my own personal experience, on the few occasions that I have felt the need to contact my local SF "representatives" I have been largely ignored. Subsequent to a follow up prompt from me I received a terse 2 line reply. Thought I might contact my local DUP rep with the same query, what a difference. A courteous response within 7 days promising to look into my questions and 2 further letters to keep me updated on progress.
SF are happy enough to show up for a smiley, back slapping photo opportunity but don't be asking them any "awkward" questions.

I've had exactly the opposite experience. Have had the SDLP at my door promising the moon and the stars and delivering nothing, but when I've spoken to SF on a few different matters, it has been sorted relatively quickly.

Probably comes down to the individual politician and their team tbh. Danny Kennedy locally (UUP) was always known to be very helpful to anyone no matter their side.

[93-DY-SAM]

In my own personal experience, on the few occasions that I have felt the need to contact my local SF "representatives" I have been largely ignored. Subsequent to a follow up prompt from me I received a terse 2 line reply. Thought I might contact my local DUP rep with the same query, what a difference. A courteous response within 7 days promising to look into my questions and 2 further letters to keep me updated on progress.
SF are happy enough to show up for a smiley, back slapping photo opportunity but don't be asking them any "awkward" questions.

I've had exactly the opposite experience. Have had the SDLP at my door promising the moon and the stars and delivering nothing, but when I've spoken to SF on a few different matters, it has been sorted relatively quickly.

Probably comes down to the individual politician and their team tbh. Danny Kennedy locally (UUP) was always known to be very helpful to anyone no matter their side.

Exactly.

[Wildweasel74]

How come ole Geoff trial cant go forward.If this was the common man would he get the same leeway?

[Wildweasel74]

G I remember a time we couldn't get get anybody to get speed reductions done at the local school. Last resort was Willie McCrea, low and behold he chased it up and it was done. Only useful thing he done, but again he could done nothing and say I got no votes here!

[DaleCooper]

Bingo @armagh18

[AustinPowers]

In my own personal experience, on the few occasions that I have felt the need to contact my local SF "representatives" I have been largely ignored. Subsequent to a follow up prompt from me I received a terse 2 line reply. Thought I might contact my local DUP rep with the same query, what a difference. A courteous response within 7 days promising to look into my questions and 2 further letters to keep me updated on progress.
SF are happy enough to show up for a smiley, back slapping photo opportunity but don't be asking them any "awkward" questions.

That's two lines  more than  I got

Maybe they only do work in areas where they  are really fighting for a seat.  A comfortably strong  nationalist  area, no need to do anything . Sure we'll get in anyway . A strong unionist  area with little to no hope of winning a seat , why bother.

[Tony Baloney]

In my own personal experience, on the few occasions that I have felt the need to contact my local SF "representatives" I have been largely ignored. Subsequent to a follow up prompt from me I received a terse 2 line reply. Thought I might contact my local DUP rep with the same query, what a difference. A courteous response within 7 days promising to look into my questions and 2 further letters to keep me updated on progress.
SF are happy enough to show up for a smiley, back slapping photo opportunity but don't be asking them any "awkward" questions.

Same. Had reason to contact Cathal Boylan to no avail so went up the line to Mickey Brady. Pure useless. Contacted the DUP. Sorted. Had another issue last year and contacted the DUP directly rather than waste my time with the local SF balloons. Sorted within 24 hrs.

[LC]

In my own personal experience, on the few occasions that I have felt the need to contact my local SF "representatives" I have been largely ignored. Subsequent to a follow up prompt from me I received a terse 2 line reply. Thought I might contact my local DUP rep with the same query, what a difference. A courteous response within 7 days promising to look into my questions and 2 further letters to keep me updated on progress.
SF are happy enough to show up for a smiley, back slapping photo opportunity but don't be asking them any "awkward" questions.

That's two lines  more than  I got

Maybe they only do work in areas where they  are really fighting for a seat.  A comfortably strong  nationalist  area, no need to do anything . Sure we'll get in anyway . A strong unionist  area with little to no hope of winning a seat , why bother.

Seems to be the way, with demographics heading the way they are they don't need to do much and they will still get the votes.  They could put up a scare crow as a candidate and it would still get voted in, would probably no different to some of their current cohort.  A lot of men lying 6 foot under did not make the ultimate sacrifice for these numpties to be filling their pockets, and those of their 'employed' siblings no doubt.

[Armagh18]

In my own personal experience, on the few occasions that I have felt the need to contact my local SF "representatives" I have been largely ignored. Subsequent to a follow up prompt from me I received a terse 2 line reply. Thought I might contact my local DUP rep with the same query, what a difference. A courteous response within 7 days promising to look into my questions and 2 further letters to keep me updated on progress.
SF are happy enough to show up for a smiley, back slapping photo opportunity but don't be asking them any "awkward" questions.

That's two lines  more than  I got

Maybe they only do work in areas where they  are really fighting for a seat.  A comfortably strong  nationalist  area, no need to do anything . Sure we'll get in anyway . A strong unionist  area with little to no hope of winning a seat , why bother.

Thats very possible.

Although I've been on to Shinners in Newry before re stuff and got help. Again probably down to the individual than the party. 

[playwiththewind1st]

South Belfast Sinn Fein don't bother their arses answering any correspondence, in my experience and that goes for both the MLA concerned &  the local Lisburn / Castlereagh councillors.

[Armagh18]

Maybe you're just a dose?

[marty34]

SF will be the main reasons that the DUP and others are still getting the votes, like it or not that is the main bogeyman..

But we'll just have to plough on as neither will be going away and a UI will still be 50 plus years away, that generation that never had the troubles is still being fed hatred. Unionist parties don't have to do much to stoke the fires, any party that agrees with a motion put by SF will get lumped into the same boat

No, it's not SF.

Go back to the 20's, up to the 60's and 70's, there was no SF so to speak. It was Catholics, starting with whoever the main nationalist party was at that time.

SF is the relatively 'new issue' for them.

The worst thing to happen to unionism was the ceasefire.