The DUP thread

[imtommygunn]

I would say who the next leader is will answer that itchy.

I always thought, and I suspect I am far from alone, that when you scratched the surface with beattie he wasn't as moderate or liberal as he presented himself to be.

[NAG1]

Unionism is in crisis is my read of this. Demographics are against unionism so they must try and reach out to those from traditional nationalist areas. I think Beattie was one of the few who was pragmatic and was trying to do this but the dinosaurs in unionism have their heads buried in the sand. Short term I can see someone come into the UUP and start doing election pacts with the DUP, while that might work somewhat in short term it will be the final nail in the coffin of unionism as no nationalist could suffer such a strategy.

They really don't know how and most leaders within Unionism are afraid of being called a Lundy.

Keep putting suspected devices outside Henry Jones playing fields as East Belfast have bigger fish to fry in the coming years...

Isn't it likely this is the issue here? Beattie trying to modernise and make a case to nationalists and others in his party still shouting "not an inch" and probably saying Beattie is making little inroads (probably true).

Yeah he is a quandary or at least he was in one up too today, he was trying to move them to the middle ground which Alliance has secured successfully. But he was always held back by the traditional Unionists within the party, who are too moderate for the DUP but too staunch for Alliance.

Hard to see as a party where they go from here, Robin Swann only likely candidate but would he take it on?

Lots of naval gazing for them for a few weeks, will be lots of shouts for a merger with the DUP to fend of SF for a few elections.

[johnnycool]

All the same the decision to parachute Tim "Nice but dim" Collins into North Down was a disastrous one and every once in a while Beatty has the capacity to make a mad call like that.

A merger between the DUP and UUP will spell the end of moderate unionism if such a thing exists.

I hope they do merge.

[marty34]

Unionism is in crisis is my read of this. Demographics are against unionism so they must try and reach out to those from traditional nationalist areas. I think Beattie was one of the few who was pragmatic and was trying to do this but the dinosaurs in unionism have their heads buried in the sand. Short term I can see someone come into the UUP and start doing election pacts with the DUP, while that might work somewhat in short term it will be the final nail in the coffin of unionism as no nationalist could suffer such a strategy.

They really don't know how and most leaders within Unionism are afraid of being called a Lundy.

Keep putting suspected devices outside Henry Jones playing fields as East Belfast have bigger fish to fry in the coming years...

Isn't it likely this is the issue here? Beattie trying to modernise and make a case to nationalists and others in his party still shouting "not an inch" and probably saying Beattie is making little inroads (probably true).

Beattie trying to 'modernise'....ffs, he was on to the CC of the PSNI straight away after 'Armaghflagate' incident. 

[marty34]

I would say who the next leader is will answer that itchy.

I always thought, and I suspect I am far from alone, that when you scratched the surface with beattie he wasn't as moderate or liberal as he presented himself to be.

100% correct imtommygunn.

[weareros]

Portrayed himself as moderate but then again he had an urgent meeting with the Chief Constable over the one handed driving, joyriding PSNI offer with the Armagh flag. He wasn't afraid to be Paddy Irishman but his inner William Ulsterman was always lurking in the shadows.

[balladmaker]

I always remember Doug Beattie's performance on the Nolan show when the St. Paul's GAA club in Lurgan had the audacity to install goal netting in their club colours i.e. green, white and gold (just like Offaly) ... Doug cited it as sectarian and provocative ... a leopard doesn't change its spots, bigotry was never far from the service with Mr. Beattie.

[From the Bunker]

I always remember Doug Beattie's performance on the Nolan show when the St. Paul's GAA club in Lurgan had the audacity to install goal netting in their club colours i.e. green, white and gold (just like Offaly) ... Doug cited it as sectarian and provocative ... a leopard doesn't change its spots, bigotry was never far from the service with Mr. Beattie.

To be fair

How many clubs put the Club colours on their nets?

How many clubs have the tri-colour as their colours?

It is pugnacity, but you can understand how they would see this as provocative action.

[JoG2]

I always remember Doug Beattie's performance on the Nolan show when the St. Paul's GAA club in Lurgan had the audacity to install goal netting in their club colours i.e. green, white and gold (just like Offaly) ... Doug cited it as sectarian and provocative ... a leopard doesn't change its spots, bigotry was never far from the service with Mr. Beattie.

To be fair

How many clubs put the Club colours on their nets?

How many clubs have the tri-colour as their colours?

It is pugnacity, but you can understand how they would see this as provocative action.

But it's not the tricolour though.

[From the Bunker]

I always remember Doug Beattie's performance on the Nolan show when the St. Paul's GAA club in Lurgan had the audacity to install goal netting in their club colours i.e. green, white and gold (just like Offaly) ... Doug cited it as sectarian and provocative ... a leopard doesn't change its spots, bigotry was never far from the service with Mr. Beattie.

To be fair

How many clubs put the Club colours on their nets?

How many clubs have the tri-colour as their colours?

It is pugnacity, but you can understand how they would see this as provocative action.

But it's not the tricolour though.

[ardtole]

How the hell can goal nets be offensive. Considering some towns and villages throughout the north are plastered in red, white and blue and very little said about it.

[JoG2]

Green white and gold, might as well be the Italian flag, a different 3rd colour. If people want to get offended, that's on them

[From the Bunker]

Green white and gold, might as well be the Italian flag, a different 3rd colour. If people want to get offended, that's on them

Ah the old Green, White and Gold. The Irish mans way of really denying the true background of our Flag! 

[From the Bunker]

How the hell can goal nets be offensive. Considering some towns and villages throughout the north are plastered in red, white and blue and very little said about it.

If a Soccer or Rugby pitch had a Union Jack on it's nets (in Ireland) would it bother you? You'd look with distain? I would!

[JoG2]

Green white and gold, might as well be the Italian flag, a different 3rd colour. If people want to get offended, that's on them

Ah the old Green, White and Gold. The Irish mans way of really denying the true background of our Flag! 

Eh?