DUP...........Batshi t Craziness

[Coach and Six]

The UUP approach is riskier to a lot of unionists: give nationalists what they want, make the most of the protocol and embrace access to the EU market etc.

That way moderate and middle class nationalists are far less likely to vote for a United Ireland because if you're reasonably well off and happy why would you risk destabilizing the state you live in?

A stable, prosperous NI isn't good for DUP or Shinners no matter what they say. There are parallels with other conflicts like Hamas and Nethanyahu's support base.

The UUP approach is based on making republicans and nationalists less angry and exercised about identity issues by making concessions.

Many unionists feel that nationalists will just keep turning the screw and demanding more and more concessions and they will be waltzed into a United Ireland. The border poll is the big one. That's why there will always be big divisions in unionism.

The DUP and hardline Loyalist approach is resist absolutely everything now for as long as possible because if you concede on this issue, nationalists will just replace it with another immediately.

 

[Mike Strutter]

"Protocol or peace" is the mantra at Loyalist rallies now.

There is no political capital for the DUP by sticking with agreements they've already made about the Irish language. Long term, it's very hard for them to continue to oppose everything and also be in government at the same time. Swapping places with the UUP would suit them but if theres an election they'll be decimated if they appear to have a leader who isn't hardline.

The DUP membership don't want a leader that will make any compromises with nationalists. Their tactic is resistance at all costs to what looks to many of them like an inevitable United Ireland.

Irish language signage, to them, is a massive blow to their dominance. Itll feel a lot less like the UK if there's bilingual signage everywhere or if there's Irish language options on state websites.

Bomb or ballot box? Thats the best they can offer their supporters now.

Great line.
But how do they explain that Wales etc. have dual languages on their signage? It's all control with the DUP nutters. There is a massive feature on the turmoil they are in in the Belfast Telegraph. I fact the whole webpage is full of the mess the DUP are in.

It's a clear sign that

 

[Coach and Six]

But how do they explain that Wales etc. have dual languages on their signage? It's all control with the DUP nutters.

They see Wales and to a lesser extent Gaelic Scotland as less British than England. But the reality for them is that the Irish language signage makes their patch "more Irish" and less British.

That said much of unionism is full of contradictions. Just one example is that theyre up in arms about the protocol because it creates division between GB and NI but they don't want to implement abortion legislation from Westminster that applies in GB. Gay marriage is another.

They want to be closer to GB only when it suits them.

 

[Coach and Six]

It should be said that many Presbyterian unionists feel more of an affinity with their religious Scottish brethren rather than their English counterparts. Their ancestry is Scottish rather than English.

That's why Scottish independence frightens the life out of many Nordie prods. If Scotland exit GB then what are they loyal to by staying in the union?

Borris's bullshit bridge to Scotland could become a bridge to the EU (not that it will happen in our lifetime) which would be hilarious.

That's why the DUP appear so "batshit crazy". The future for unionism is dim so the only roads are either resist everything to the death and cultivate instability to ensure poorer loyalists lap up the unionist populism or go the UUP route of trying to make concessions with the risk of being slowly walked into a United Ireland.

 

[jimmym]

I mentioned to a fella yesterday that under GFA only the british secretary
of state can call a border poll, your man said take that with a pinch of salt, if enough pressure is put on they will have to call a border poll, My opinion
is you cant cherry pick what is copper fastened in GFA and demand flexibility on certain aspects,

 

[Handy Run]

He has to call a border poll if he "feels" it has a chance of passing. So your buddy was right.

The UUP will at least have a platform if they do get waltzed into a united Ireland. I'd say long term they know the game is up. If they put on their big boy pants they could have a future in the Dail and/or an Ulster Federal State.

The UUP are gonna fight to the last man and the last bullet. Rarely a successful retreat strategy.

 

[jams]

Does Arlene still have a vote in this?
She said she’d resign from the party after stepping down.

 

[King Silkbeard]

Some Unionist group don't want Irish officials coming up there. A big mind your own business message.

 

[jimmym]

Aoife Moore in examiner says young educated unionists have no interest in
A tit for that battle on the Irish language act while health and housing is in rag order, I'd say same can be said for young Catholics,

 

[Bishop Con Lucey]

Aoife Moore in examiner says young educated unionists have no interest in
A tit for that battle on the Irish language act while health and housing is in rag order, I'd say same can be said for young Catholics,

How's her arse?