Voting in NI

Cotta

duggan1 wrote: »

I don't really pay much attention to electioneering on the national scale (and I don't read newspapers) so I haven't had much exposure to Farage apart from seeing him on TV and listening on radio.


I don't recall hearing him blame immigrants for anything, his wife is one isn't she? I hear two tracks repeated ad infinitum by him. One is that he wants out of Europe, a fair opinion that I don't entirely agree with, but not offensive. Secondly he wants immigration limited in number and restricted to those with skills in demand. Is this really such an abhorrent view or have I missed something? Obviously members of his party have in the past come out with some ridiculous racist comments but I don't recall Farage himself saying anything like that.


As I say I may be wrong, and I'll not be voting for UKIP, but I think the general 'shouting down' of Farage is slightly embarrassing.


I suspect I'll be voting for NI21. I think we need a change and I'd like to see how they evolve with a bit of support behind them. Mainstream Unionism is dead to me quite frankly. They no longer reflect or represent my views and I cannot support people whose politics seem to be largely dictated by their religious views.

Does NI21 represent an effective brand of Unionism beyond a slap dash mix of left wing idealism and appearing to be likeable? Some of their members are pretty odd to say the least.

duggan1

Cotta wrote: »

Does NI21 represent an effective brand of Unionism beyond a slap dash mix of left wing idealism and appearing to be likeable? Some of their members are pretty odd to say the least.

Perhaps not, but they at least appear not to be content with the current status quo. As I said I think they deserve a chance to see how they develop with a bit of support. It may all be flash in the pan but we need something else to vote for as unionists (personally discounting alliance and greens for other reasons, not fleg related).

Cotta

duggan1 wrote: »

Perhaps not, but they at least appear not to be content with the current status quo. As I said I think they deserve a chance to see how they develop with a bit of support. It may all be flash in the pan but we need something else to vote for as unionists (personally discounting alliance and greens for other reasons, not fleg related).

Fair point, however although on the extreme side I would have thought TUV would have been deserving of a chance as Allister as a lone warrior is proving very effective and he possess an intellect that neither McCallister or McCrea could achieve.

I would not count either the Green or Alliance party as Unionist and it will be interesting to see how the latter fare in light of the flag debacle and the fact that some party members are in favour of a UI despite getting most of their votes from Unionists.

D.A.

Unfortunately, Jim Allister is also vaguely to the right of Goebbels.

Cotta

D.A. wrote: »

Unfortunately, Jim Allister is also vaguely to the right of Goebbels.

In terms of? Is he really any more extreme that many in the DUP or even NI21 whose members have some looney views?

irishjohn

Cotta wrote: »

In terms of? Is he really any more extreme that many in the DUP or even NI21 whose members have some looney views?

Perhaps they should be renamed - Oh no you won't - I'll make sure you don't - and - Maybe we could try and see how it goes - which would you vote for out of those 3 ?

duggan1

Cotta wrote: »

Fair point, however although on the extreme side I would have thought TUV would have been deserving of a chance as Allister as a lone warrior is proving very effective and he possess an intellect that neither McCallister or McCrea could achieve.

TUV, and Allister in particular, represent to me all that is wrong with Northern Ireland generally, and Unionism specifically. Political views, driven by religious belief, that are (in my opinion) outdated and in cases unacceptable.

I would not count either the Green or Alliance party as Unionist and it will be interesting to see how the latter fare in light of the flag debacle and the fact that some party members are in favour of a UI despite getting most of their votes from Unionists.

You're right of course, but they are normally put across as the 'alternative' vote. I don't have my heart set on voting Unionist specifically. In fact I think it is an outdated concept following GFA. I want effective government. I'd prefer it to be devolved in Belfast and I think the only way Stormont can deliver anything is through a change in the political system.

A.L.D.A

duggan1 wrote: »

You're right of course, but they are normally put across as the 'alternative' vote. I don't have my heart set on voting Unionist specifically. In fact I think it is an outdated concept following GFA. I want effective government. I'd prefer it to be devolved in Belfast and I think the only way Stormont can deliver anything is through a change in the political system.

We certainly need change. I fervently hope that a lot of people vote for unlikely candidates if for no other reason than to shake the smug complacency that seems to radiate from the hill. In many areas, get a mug shot, stick it in front of a flag and you are elected for the next 5 years. We all know what Samuel Johnson thought of that.

In my bones I know that it will be like every other election, utterly depressing.

jenheiffer

Cotta wrote: »

I would not count either the Green or Alliance party as Unionist and it will be interesting to see how the latter fare in light of the flag debacle and the fact that some party members are in favour of a UI despite getting most of their votes from Unionists.

Personally I really hope they get a bloody nose. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you!:(

RikM

Where is (the equivalent of) La cicciolina, when you need her...?