Spotlight - Oh!!!!!!!!! someone's in a spot of trouble

D.A.

I would think they're scared stiff of losing votes to the TUV (whilst I detest Jim Allister's politics, he really is an extremely capable MLA), so they have to wrap themselves in the Union Jack as often as possible. Problem is, a lot of their traditional support in those working class Protestant areas has already drifted away from them.

Will be interesting to see what happens during the next election - if the TUV, UKIP or NI21 were to play their cards right, they could be hoovering up votes from either the Loyalist areas (for the former two) or moderate Protestants (for NI21).

GlynD

I don't think calling the executive back serves any purpose at all after the fact. It's just the DUP trying to please its voters. As for Jim Allister, very capable and very entertaining as a one man opposition but he's also responsible for further splitting the unionist vote, as are Basil McCrea and his sidekick.

The Parades Commission has made a sensible ruling in my view. Will it be enough to stop the violence at that flashpoint? I doubt it, because while the Orange Order might wish for peaceful protest they can't control the hanger's on who fill themselves full of Dutch courage in the beer tent at the field. These idiots like rioting for God's sake.

jeffer

GlynD wrote: »

The Parades Commission has made a sensible ruling in my view. Will it be enough to stop the violence at that flashpoint? I doubt it, because while the Orange Order might wish for peaceful protest they can't control the hanger's on who fill themselves full of Dutch courage in the beer tent at the field. These idiots like rioting for God's sake.

A bit one-sided don't you think? The local residents and those who come from near and far to be 'offended' aren't averse to causing a bit of damage either!

GlynD

jeffer wrote: »

A bit one-sided don't you think? The local residents and those who come from near and far to be 'offended' aren't averse to causing a bit of damage either!

They're exactly the same. Never any trouble in the morning. It always starts in the evening when the pubs have been open for a few hours and the children and teenagers who cause most of the bother have been up for a few hours. It's recreational rioting.

It's a pattern we've all seen over the years.

Suplex_Backbreaker

GlynD wrote: »

I don't think calling the executive back serves any purpose at all after the fact. It's just the DUP trying to please its voters. As for Jim Allister, very capable and very entertaining as a one man opposition but he's also responsible for further splitting the unionist vote, as are Basil McCrea and his sidekick.

This siege-mentality paranoia about "splitting the Unionist vote" is entirely the reason that a motley parade of shady characters who wrap themselves in a flag to hide their own misdemeanours and shortcomings end up getting elected into positions of power where they can do damage.

In order for democracy to work, people need a choice of who they want to represent them - not some candidate decided over brandy, cigars and brown envelopes in a backroom and served up to a constituency as the tribal choice.

GlynD

Suplex_Backbreaker wrote: »

This siege-mentality paranoia about "splitting the Unionist vote" is entirely the reason that a motley parade of shady characters who wrap themselves in a flag to hide their own misdemeanours and shortcomings end up getting elected into positions of power where they can do damage.

In order for democracy to work, people need a choice of who they want to represent them - not some candidate decided over brandy, cigars and brown envelopes in a backroom and served up to a constituency as the tribal choice.

Yes but when you have a plethora of small breakaway parties you're only enhancing their ability to do what you suggest.

What does a breakaway unionist party offer that the UUP doesn't? The DUP for example is a monster created by a man who single handedly managed to keep the troubles going for far longer than they should through his intransigent bullying. Their insistence upon having religion as part of their central core policies is retarding this province's ability to change.

My view is: that if they're going to form new parties let them not be along partisan lines. Keep the unionist and constitutional nationalist votes in one bloc. Then let new parties offer proper politics instead of the "them and us" mentality which has caused so many problems. By doing this we can more easily measure support for a new Northern Ireland not divided upon traditional enmities and loyalties.

D.A.

GlynD wrote: »

Yes but when you have a plethora of small breakaway parties you're only enhancing their ability to do what you suggest.

What does a breakaway unionist party offer that the UUP doesn't? The DUP for example is a monster created by a man who single handedly managed to keep the troubles going for far longer than they should through his intransigent bullying. Their insistence upon having religion as part of their central core policies is retarding this province's ability to change.

My view is: that if they're going to form new parties let them not be along partisan lines. Keep the unionist and constitutional nationalist votes in one bloc. Then let new parties offer proper politics instead of the "them and us" mentality which has caused so many problems. By doing this we can more easily measure support for a new Northern Ireland not divided upon traditional enmities and loyalties.

You sound like someone who should be voting for NI21 at the next election.

GlynD

D.A. wrote: »

You sound like someone who should be voting for NI21 at the next election.

It's a consideration but I haven't made my mind up yet. The ethos suits what I've said and Basil McCrae is a competent politician but I'm not overly enthusiastic about the party - not yet anyway.