Northern Ireland
Discussion
Unfortunately, for people like you, the state of Northern Ireland today is an historical legacy of Britain's involvement in Ireland dating back over 800 years.
My attitude is that Britain created the mess, so it is only right and proper that the mess that remains is still part of its responsibilities to Northern Ireland.
You cannot ignore the wishes of the people who live in Northern Ireland either. Since 1921 they have wanted to remain part of the UK - and, for the moment, Britain has to abide by those wishes.
This election result may indicate that things are beginning to change, but for the moment, Britain is stuck with the problem.
My attitude is that Britain created the mess, so it is only right and proper that the mess that remains is still part of its responsibilities to Northern Ireland.
You cannot ignore the wishes of the people who live in Northern Ireland either. Since 1921 they have wanted to remain part of the UK - and, for the moment, Britain has to abide by those wishes.
This election result may indicate that things are beginning to change, but for the moment, Britain is stuck with the problem.
Biker 1 said:
Whatever the outcome, how much does the rest of the UK pay out in terms of subsidy to NI? How much has been squandered since the Republic gained independence? As mentioned by others, many of us, particularly from SE England, don't have a clue about Ireland, & frankly don't really care any more. Just seems like endless squabbling, wasting resources, killing, election after election, constitutional crises, religious bulls
t, & negativity. And for what?? I wager the majority in Great Britain would be only too happy to see NI separating from the UK, & if its a 'United Ireland' or some other type of independent state, who cares?
It is rather odd. GB would probably have been happy to see the back of Ulster had it not been for the PIRA. It's a bit like The Falklands and South Georgia: most of the population would have sold it to Argentina had it not been for the invasion. Now everyone has a point of view. Everyone has a point of view on NI now.t, & negativity. And for what?? I wager the majority in Great Britain would be only too happy to see NI separating from the UK, & if its a 'United Ireland' or some other type of independent state, who cares?One thing which the UK has been good at is allowing countries to cede. Have there been anything across the world to the Scottish referendum on breaking away? There's much written on India, but we did hand it back, if reluctantly, more or less peacefully.
GB doesn't seem to want the bother of Ireland. As a whole we'd be happy to see it go. The main block seems to be the PIRA.
I had a discussion with my father when the army was sent in to NI to protect the catholics. There were pictures of tea and cake being brought out to the soldiers. My dad reckoned 'The IRA won't let it continue' and'that in a 'year or so', the soldiers would turn down such offers for fear it would be poisoned. It didn't take that long.
I always like that Derek cannot post anything about Ireland without mentioning his brothers, uncles, sisters, aunts, dad, granny etc etc.
If I did that, PH would run out of bandwidth.
Do you really think Ulster Unionists would eventually have been willing to merge with the Republic or the "Free State" as was and if so, when would that have happened?
If I did that, PH would run out of bandwidth.
Do you really think Ulster Unionists would eventually have been willing to merge with the Republic or the "Free State" as was and if so, when would that have happened?
Eric Mc said:
Ructions said:
In other election related news Naomi Long appears to have eaten a cake for every vote she received.
Inspired by Dianne Abbott.Edited by Eric Mc on Friday 3rd March 17:00
It was often said that Paisley was the greatest recruiting officer the IRA ever had, it probably kept him alive. In turn Arlene Foster and the total arrogance of the DUP leadership, brought out the Nationalist vote on Thursday. In fact people from a unionist background have openly admitted to voting for Sinn Féin as a result of the DUP's arrogance, when they would have normally used their vote to keep Sinn Féin out.
The tide finally seems to have turned in the north, time to finish the job once and for all.
The tide finally seems to have turned in the north, time to finish the job once and for all.
Biker 1 said:
Whatever the outcome, how much does the rest of the UK pay out in terms of subsidy to NI? How much has been squandered since the Republic gained independence? As mentioned by others, many of us, particularly from SE England, don't have a clue about Ireland, & frankly don't really care any more. Just seems like endless squabbling, wasting resources, killing, election after election, constitutional crises, religious bullst, & negativity. And for what?? I wager the majority in Great Britain would be only too happy to see NI separating from the UK, & if its a 'United Ireland' or some other type of independent state, who cares?
A UK friend of mine has suggested that Scotland should only be granted independence if it took NI with it !t, & negativity. And for what?? I wager the majority in Great Britain would be only too happy to see NI separating from the UK, & if its a 'United Ireland' or some other type of independent state, who cares?The DUP behaved arrogantly and disgracefully whilst in power and during the election, and they've been punished for it by their core voters who didn't turn out. The Shinners have been re-energized by the whole affair and have seen off the challenge of PBP in their backyards and got their vote mobilized and turned out.
It's a long, long way from being a game changer, but it does show which way the wind can blow.
If between (SF/DUP) them they can't form a new administration then rather than going back to Direct Rule from London, Joint Authority by London & Dublin is an option that could be pushed by the SF/SDLP.
Arlene Foster is fked. This happened on her watch.
It's a long, long way from being a game changer, but it does show which way the wind can blow.
If between (SF/DUP) them they can't form a new administration then rather than going back to Direct Rule from London, Joint Authority by London & Dublin is an option that could be pushed by the SF/SDLP.
Arlene Foster is f
ked. This happened on her watch.She'd never be the one who was in the GPO ? LOL.
I was born in Dublin and moved to Cork 40 yrs ago. The locals could never get over the fact that they did not know my brother, my sister, or my maternal grandmother as everyone in Cork knows everyone else and who their relations are. I fear it's the same in Belfast.
I was born in Dublin and moved to Cork 40 yrs ago. The locals could never get over the fact that they did not know my brother, my sister, or my maternal grandmother as everyone in Cork knows everyone else and who their relations are. I fear it's the same in Belfast.
nicanary said:
Eric Mc said:
Ructions said:
In other election related news Naomi Long appears to have eaten a cake for every vote she received.
Inspired by Dianne Abbott.Edited by Eric Mc on Friday 3rd March 17:00
The main point is that the sort of people that vote for Sinn Fein are nothing more than cretins and the same goes for the DUP, both a collective backward looking individuals. They have more in common than separates them.
The progressive middle ground such as Alliance are barely given a mention but in all the debates they basically wiped the floor with both.
However when it comes to election time the sectarian and bigoted rhetoric rises to the top and both sides put all their energy into blaming the other side for scandals and the like.
As for a United Ireland
, the way Sinn Fein talk you would think that everyone wanted it to happen. In fact it's less than 30% both in Northern Ireland and in Republic.The welfare bill for Northern Ireland particularly in West Belfast is at least eight times the amount in the Republic. 850 families in West Belfast claim the full benefit amount of £26,000. In the Republic they would get absolutely nowhere near that amount.
Edited by BlueHave on Saturday 4th March 22:20
BlackLabel said:
I see that Gerry Adams is claiming that the poll results are a mandate for NI to receive, post Brexit, special designated status within the EU. I think Brexit when it comes to NI, and especially it's border with the ROI, is going to get very messy and complicated.
Did anybody really think it wouldn't?BlackLabel said:
I see that Gerry Adams is claiming that the poll results are a mandate for NI to receive, post Brexit, special designated status within the EU. I think Brexit when it comes to NI, and especially it's border with the ROI, is going to get very messy and complicated.
Here's my prediction, absolutely nothing will change. BlueHave said:
Here's my prediction, absolutely nothing will change.
Because of the election? Yeah, I agree. (But imagine the scowls and howls if the DUP lost one by-election in the wrong constituency to SF.... Er even, any other party!)Because of Brexit? Brexit's gonna be a game changer, everywhere.
BlueHave said:
She is just Gerry Adams puppet, every word that comes out of her mouth is from untouchable Gerry.
The main point is that the sort of people that vote for Sinn Fein are nothing more than cretins and the same goes for the DUP, both a collective backward looking individuals. They have more in common than separates them.
The progressive middle ground such as Alliance are barely given a mention but in all the debates they basically wiped the floor with both.
However when it comes to election time the sectarian and bigoted rhetoric rises to the top and both sides put all their energy into blaming the other side for scandals and the like.
As for a United Ireland, the way Sinn Fein talk you would think that everyone wanted it to happen. In fact it's less than 30% both in Northern Ireland and in Republic.
The welfare bill for Northern Ireland particularly in West Belfast is at least eight times the amount in the Republic. 850 families in West Belfast claim the full benefit amount of £26,000. In the Republic they would get absolutely nowhere near that amount.
A Willie Frazeresque rant there, though you should have mentioned those pesky Mooslims as well.The main point is that the sort of people that vote for Sinn Fein are nothing more than cretins and the same goes for the DUP, both a collective backward looking individuals. They have more in common than separates them.
The progressive middle ground such as Alliance are barely given a mention but in all the debates they basically wiped the floor with both.
However when it comes to election time the sectarian and bigoted rhetoric rises to the top and both sides put all their energy into blaming the other side for scandals and the like.
As for a United Ireland
, the way Sinn Fein talk you would think that everyone wanted it to happen. In fact it's less than 30% both in Northern Ireland and in Republic.The welfare bill for Northern Ireland particularly in West Belfast is at least eight times the amount in the Republic. 850 families in West Belfast claim the full benefit amount of £26,000. In the Republic they would get absolutely nowhere near that amount.
Edited by BlueHave on Saturday 4th March 22:20
I'm sure you can back up some of your claims with some stats? How many of those 850 families in west Belfast are in the greater Shankill area?
You do realise that social welfare payments are approx 3 times those in the UK per person?
Ructions said:
A Willie Frazeresque rant there, though you should have mentioned those pesky Mooslims as well.
I'm sure you can back up some of your claims with some stats? How many of those 850 families in west Belfast are in the greater Shankill area?
You do realise that social welfare payments are approx 3 times those in the UK per person?
Unemployment rate in n.ireland is aprox 5.3%(3 months upto Dec 2016)I'm sure you can back up some of your claims with some stats? How many of those 850 families in west Belfast are in the greater Shankill area?
You do realise that social welfare payments are approx 3 times those in the UK per person?
High levels of disablity payments prob quite a high % of which was caused by a small skuffle that just seemed to drag on a tad and some would say is not yet over, What with police being bombed and shot and people being kneecapped etc.
A reliance on lower paying jobs With at one point 65% of employment was by the state.
Crap political leaders with no idea how to do anything other than look after number 1 and a total lack of understanding of the problems, Rather drag things out and do nothing than try something new which may work but lose votes.
Ructions said:
A Willie Frazeresque rant there, though you should have mentioned those pesky Mooslims as well.
I'm sure you can back up some of your claims with some stats? How many of those 850 families in west Belfast are in the greater Shankill area?
You do realise that social welfare payments are approx 3 times those in the UK per person?
More stats than you could shake a stick at.I'm sure you can back up some of your claims with some stats? How many of those 850 families in west Belfast are in the greater Shankill area?
You do realise that social welfare payments are approx 3 times those in the UK per person?
1 in 9 in NI on disability benefit (as was) - compared with 1 in 20 in the wider UK.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ir...
1 in 5 in West Belfast in receipt of disability benefit (as was) - compared with, again, 1 in 20 in the wider UK.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ir...
25% - twenty five percent! - of new car sales are Motability.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/news/no...
25% - twenty five percent! - of those eligible to work are doing so in the public sector. London, the capital of the UK, manages to get by with 14% somehow.
https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/p...
Sure, we can get look at the intricacies of who exactly is claiming where, but the overall sentiment of the post you responded to is bang on. The place is a basket case, and it's embarrassing.
The pond dwellers on both sides know which side their bread is buttered.
Edited by iphonedyou on Tuesday 7th March 09:12
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