"Respect the Irish vote"

[jd26]

So it turns out that UKIP, who were calling on everyone to "Respect the Irish Vote" in the European Parliament a few weeks ago have as one of their policies the abolition of the Northern Ireland Assembly. That would be the assembly that was voted for by 94.39% of the electorate in the Republic and 71% of the electorate in Norther Ireland.

New slogan: "Respect some Irish votes"

You couldn't make it up.

http://i28.tinypic.com/10p7wc8.jpg

[KD Langer]

so they're wrong about one thing and right about the other.


end of thread.

[POL]

so they're wrong about one thing and right about the other.


end of thread.BACK OF THE NET!

[jd26]

Or are they just self-publicising hypocrites who add nothing to any debate? A bit like the way they go on about corruption and then get one of their own MEPs jailed!

I can't see why those things shouldn't be discussed, especially when one of our local MEPs has attached herself to them.

[KD Langer]

Or are they just self-publicising hypocrites who add nothing to any debate? A bit like the way they go on about corruption and then get one of their own MEPs jailed!

I can't see why those things shouldn't be discussed.


Politicians. What do you expect? mother theresa?

[jd26]

Politicians. What do you expect? mother theresa?

If we're not prepared to challenge this sort of politics, it won't go away, will it? I think our local MEPs need to be accountable for their actions even if people do feel remote from Brussels.

[Professor Piehead]

so they're wrong about one thing and right about the other.


end of thread.

Heh heh heh.

http://www.samizdata.net/blog/~pdeh/smiley_flamethrower. gif

[jd26]

Heh heh heh.

http://www.samizdata.net/blog/~pdeh/smiley_flamethrower. gif

Do keep up, we've moved well beyond that. It turns out the thread wasn't over.

[Professor Piehead]

If we're not prepared to challenge this sort of politics, it won't go away, will it? I think our local MEPs need to be accountable for their actions even if people do feel remote from Brussels.

So you'd sack all the ones who claim for their expenses on a Friday morning and then fuck off home?

[KD Langer]

If we're not prepared to challenge this sort of politics, it won't go away, will it? I think our local MEPs need to be accountable for their actions even if people do feel remote from Brussels.

i'd be more worried about our then minister for finance being in the back of a car getting used notes from a multi millionaire than a few loons in brussels meself.

[jd26]

So you'd sack all the ones who claim for their expenses on a Friday morning and then fuck off home?

At present that situation is immoral, but not illegal, so it would be hard to remove them other than at the ballot box (where I would advocate not voting for the individual in question). But I'd change the system so that they have to sign in at the beginning and end of the day to actually get the expenses so that it would cease to be an issue.

[jd26]

i'd be more worried about our then minister for finance being in the back of a car getting used notes from a multi millionaire than a few loons in brussels meself.

But the European Parliament has become increasingly influential. I think it's time we started having the same expectations of MEPs and their groupings as we have of TDs and their parties.

[KD Langer]

At present that situation is immoral, but not illegal, so it would be hard to remove them other than at the ballot box (where I would advocate not voting for the individual in question). But I'd change the system so that they have to sign in at the beginning and end of the day to actually get the expenses so that it would cease to be an issue.

so, brussels is a essentially big fat gravy train?

[jd26]

so, brussels is a essentially big fat gravy train?

No.

There are people who do valuable work there. An example of that would be Simn Coveney's work on people trafficking when he was still an MEP. But there are those who are willing to abuse the system and I think we should hold them to account.

[KD Langer]

But the European Parliament has become increasingly influential. I think it's time we started having the same expectations of MEPs and their groupings as we have of TDs and their parties.


i already do. i expect them to equally as self serving, imcompetent and corrupt as our TD'S and ministers.

[jd26]

Fair enough.

I agree that standards in Irish public life leave a lot to be desired, but I'd still prefer to aim for higher standards rather than resign myself to low ones.

[Professor Piehead]

At present that situation is immoral, but not illegal, so it would be hard to remove them other than at the ballot box (where I would advocate not voting for the individual in question). But I'd change the system so that they have to sign in at the beginning and end of the day to actually get the expenses so that it would cease to be an issue.

One of the best posts I've seen from you, keep up the good work.

[Professor Piehead]

No.

There are people who do valuable work there. An example of that would be Simn Coveney's work on people trafficking when he was still an MEP. But there are those who are willing to abuse the system and I think we should hold them to account.

What was his cut?

[Professor Piehead]

Fair enough.

I agree that standards in Irish public life leave a lot to be desired, but I'd still prefer to aim for higher standards rather than resign myself to low ones.

k55NuWQCh78

[DogTheLangerHunter]

I find it hilarious that people actually expect politicians to be trustworthy.

[KD Langer]

I find it hilarious that people actually expect politicians to be trustworthy.

i too find this funny.

[Professor Piehead]

i too find this funny.

Has there ever been one?

[KD Langer]

Has there ever been one?

gandhi, MLK, malcolm x to name a few.

few and far between though.

[Haro]

I don't get the carry on about respecting the vote. It's not as if anyone had a clue what they were doing, why are we respecting uninformed opinions on either side of the fence?

[Professor Piehead]

I don't get the carry on about respecting the vote. It's not as if anyone had a clue what they were doing, why are we respecting uninformed opinions on either side of the fence?

This is why I don't engage in paragraphs of twaddle with you.

It's a case of respecting the democratic result, not the opinions, end of.


I should have posted three paragraphs to explain that to you, sorry.

[Proinsias]

I find it hilarious that people actually expect politicians to be trustworthy.

Why is that?

So all politicians are untrustworthy?