Northern Irish Politics Thread (or what passes for politics in NI)

[nivilla1982]

Self Explanatory since the NI/ROI Protocol was departing from its' purpose etc.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-60018113
Wonder who the potential 2nd DUP MP is, that fancies a dual mandate?

 

[JimAndy]

sammy

 

[The Agrarian]

I see Higgins doubling down on his anti unionist/British streak. While Johnson is (rightly) getting a kicking for breaking covid rules, the Irish president is quietly getting away with marginalising the vulnerable minority of unionists and those with an anglo-scots background in his country. They stay quiet of course, so as not to draw attention to themselves and risk further alienation in their communities. It's a case of blend in, isn't it? I'm thankful that our prime minister treats all citizens with equal contempt.

Higgins in spotlight over political neutrality ahead of major Bloody Sunday event following ‘sectarian NI state’ comments from organisers

The attendance of Irish President Michael D Higgins at an upcoming Bloody Sunday event has come under the spotlight, following political comments made by the organisers.

www.newsletter.co.uk

 

[JimAndy]

listened to wee Jeffery on the radio just after Boris removed the Double jobbing changes. You swear he was about to burst out crying

 

[nivilla1982]

Neither Jim Wells nor Edwin Poots selected by the DUP to run in South Down…

The DUP have chosen Diane Forsythe to run in the seat. In 2020 Diane Forsythe quit the DUP over concerns about bullying and sexism. She later returned when Jeffrey Donaldson became leader. Might Jim Wells run as an independent? An extraordinary development. Both Edwin Poots and Jim Wells lose...

sluggerotoole.com

 

[nivilla1982]

Derek Hussey: Ulster Unionist councillor suspended after candidate row

Derek Hussey accused Doug Beattie of being "dictatorial" in selecting Ian Marshall last year.

www.bbc.co.uk

Former councillor and wife quit UUP over Ian Marshall candidate selection in West Tyrone

A FORMER Ulster Unionist councillor has resigned from the party over its selection of former senator Ian Marshall as Stormont election candidate in West Tyrone.

www.irishnews.com

 

[nivilla1982]

The Secretary of State for NI seems to have ruled out an early election.

 

[Ashtree]

Poor Jeff, he wants to be taken seriously by the PM.

 

[The Agrarian]

John Kyle joins UUP. What do you know about him @nivilla1982 ? Must say I've barely heard of him. Uneasy about his background in the PUP.

 

[nivilla1982]

John Kyle joins UUP. What do you know about him @nivilla1982 ? Must say I've barely heard of him. Uneasy about his background in the PUP.

The little I know of him suggests little terrorist background personally. He is/was a GP.
His background with the PUP (UVF Political Party) is a big red flag for me. He would be the second PUP type to have joined the UUP under Beattie.

 

[nivilla1982]

NI election 2022: Candidates announced for assembly poll

There are 239 candidates - 11 more than the last election in 2017 - in the running for 90 seats.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[The Agrarian]

Lots of disappointed candidates the next day.

 

[The Agrarian]

Do you do predictions? Any upsets that you feel confident about?

I'll kick off. East Belfast last time
DUP X2
Alliance x2
UUP X1

I think UUP could bag a second seat. But I don't know who loses one!

 

[nivilla1982]

One or two predictors have Beattie's seat in Upper Bann down as "vulnerable" .

 

[Danllan]

One or two predictors have Beattie's seat in Upper Bann down as "vulnerable" .

Who, and what's their beef?

 

[nivilla1982]

Who, and what's their beef?

One of them is connected to the DUP, while the others points to the steady decline in the UUP vote in the constituency since Lord Trimble lost his Commons seat. UUP and their electoral alliance with the Conservatives were around the 25% mark of the vote (at westminster elections), last two general elections Beattie has got half that amount.

Seems a strange prediction.

 

[JimAndy]

I think wee Jeffery will be under pressure to get elected
his personal vote has been steadily falling over the years, alot of people don't like him, but have been voting for him because he DuP
the Dup vote has been falling, and current events has seen them loosing support even faster
he a big scalp to get, i think we see a lot of the SF/SDLP voters moving there votes to the Alliance (to take the no 1 spot)
and a a number of dup switching back to to the UUP
for the no 2-3 spots
i think the TuV has a shot at a seat so will be a real toss up for the DuP or tuv. for the last 2 seats. maybe 1 each. with a outside odd of the alliance taking one of the 4-5 seats

 

[JimAndy]

One of them is connected to the DUP, while the others points to the steady decline in the UUP vote in the constituency since Lord Trimble lost his Commons seat. UUP and their electoral alliance with the Conservatives were around the 25% mark of the vote (at westminster elections), last two general elections Beattie has got half that amount.

Seems a strange prediction.

think Jonathan Buckley DuP will top the poll

i think we see Doug keeping the no 3 spot, maybe even getting the no 2 spot. the UUP decline has level out. his biggest worry will be what transfers will the alliance party get

don't see Diane Dodds doing well, remember in her MEP election she didn't even make quote and only got the 3rd spot as she had the highest vote of what remained. she not well liked and a lot of people was unhappy with her being dropped in to take cara seat, after all the dup said about "unelected" officials

think SF will keep there spot might even get the no 3 spot if Doug moves up to 2 and the SDLP will loose theirs

think the alliance and TuV has a real shot at the 4-5 spot

 

[nivilla1982]

think Jonathan Buckley DuP will top the poll

i think we see Doug keeping the no 3 spot, maybe even getting the no 2 spot. the UUP decline has level out. his biggest worry will be what transfers will the alliance party get

don't see Diane Dodds doing well, remember in her MEP election she didn't even make quote and only got the 3rd spot as she had the highest vote of what remained. she not well liked and a lot of people was unhappy with her being dropped in to take cara seat, after all the dup said about "unelected" officials

think SF will keep there spot might even get the no 3 spot if Doug moves up to 2 and the SDLP will loose theirs

think the alliance and TuV has a real shot at the 4-5

She did exceed the quota at the 3rd count stage in 2019, thus was elected before the N Long and M Anderson. (Incidentally PSF actually lost quite a number of votes circa 30,000)
The 2009 Euro Election was the first time at a Euro election the DUP did not top the poll in terms of first preference votes.
I suspect the parachuting it, is an object of annoyance to some, then her quick appointment as a minister as soon as she was co opted to the Assembly.

 

[nivilla1982]

Jim Wells: Former DUP MLA quits party and endorses rival TUV

Mr Wells had represented the DUP in South Down since the assembly was set up in 1998.

www.bbc.co.uk