Will Unionists accept a Sinn Féin 1st Minister?

[Jim]

A split in the unionist vote makes this completely possible. It reminds me of when Thatcher was in to power, she only won because there was a split in the left vote, and the tories completely capitalised on it but compared to all parties combined had a minority of the vote.

I won't be complaining. Would probably mean SF could take the culture department because they will have first pick and implement more irish language acts.

[earl]

As far as I know Jim, it doesn't work that way. Cross community support is required to get acts passed. What's the difference between the first minister and deputy first minister anyway??? Besides the extra word in the title? The whole point of power sharing is that even though you may get the most votes out of all the parties present to get the first minister post and first dibs on some other, you'll still have to deal with the largest party from the other community. SF getting more votes than the DUP should in theory have little bearing on a practical level as to the setup now. The only seismic shift would be symbolically.

[Jim]

So where is the cross community support for ulster-scots funding while the irish language gets nowt? Ministers can fund what they please, which is more important than any act.

[earl]

They could increase the funding for the Irish language alright, but they couldn't give it official status for governmental use. This isn't important, this is the usual small-minded tribal warfare. I don't approve of the DUP doing it now, and I wouldn't approve SF doing something similar in the future. The Irish language and Ulster Scots language should both receive adequate funding for the proportion of people who actively use and promote the languages.

[Jim]

earl said:

They could increase the funding for the Irish language alright, but they couldn't give it official status for governmental use. This isn't important, this is the usual small-minded tribal warfare. I don't approve of the DUP doing it now, and I wouldn't approve SF doing something similar in the future. The Irish language and Ulster Scots language should both receive adequate funding for the proportion of people who actively use and promote the languages.

I find it important. I couldn't give a shite about official status, money will do the same thing and being honest, as Setanta said, SF are working their departments very well.

[Jim]

setanta said:

aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh we're all going off topic again/ Lets try to stick to the topic at least.

Would Unionists accept a Sinn Féin First Minister?

They don't accept them in Government nevermind first minister. whinge whinge cry cry terrorists in government and etc.

Maybe the majority of them that will continue to vote for the DUP or the UUP will. Because the UUP will sit with SF, too.

[Wasp]

The answer is definately not, but not never.

[earl]

What do you reckon would happen WASPy if it did happen as mentioned above?

[Wasp]

I think it would spark alot of trouble, I also think Unionists would refuse to vote, take part in Stormont and voters would no longer recognize stormont. Believe it or not although I would be sick to the stomach, in a total rage if it did happen now etc I am not saying never. As far as how sf are in N.I then I can't see a single Unionist accepting any of them a sfirst minister.

[earl]

I think it's safe to say that if that did happen as you say WASP, 'Plan B' that Big Ian was so fearful of would probably be put into action.

[Wasp]

Plan B is of no concern to Unionists, believe me it isn't. Let the government go with this so called plan b and then let them deal with the mess after they do it, at least the troops will be back in very large numbers.

[earl]

wasp said:

at least the troops will be back in very large numbers.

You say that like a good thing!! Why would the troops be back?

[Wasp]

Well if the troops are back then it reinforces the fact N.I is part of the UK, secondly they did add to our economy and provided many jobs to locals. There is no way IMO could the psni cope with the violence, the troops would be needed. That is why many feel betrayed by Paisley, not just because of his lies and deceit but because he didn't stand upto the governments and say try it.

It is how Stormont was so easily forced upon Unionists that has annoyed many people, the time was not right for it, much more needed to be done before stormont was up and running. Paisley or rather lundy said he had no choice, I and many like me beg to differ. He is a hypocrite of the highest order and demonized, condemned and ridiculed other Unionist politicians for doing much less than he is now currently doing. Rem how he treated Trimble?

[earl]

wasp said:

Well if the troops are back then it reinforces the fact N.I is part of the UK,

Is there a large amount of troops patrolling other townlands and cities in Britain? Surely having a large amount of troops isolates NI and has it at odds to the rest of the UK, considering troops are not required anywhere else. Usually a western country sends troops abroad for peace-keeping purposes, and not use them internally. You know that you have something in common with the Real IRA, they want the troops back too. It's in a news piece on here somewhere.
Why is it necessary to reinforce that NI is a part of the UK? Has anyone forgotten? Surely all parties now in the devolved government already know this, as they had to sign the GFA which clearly states this fact! Whilst there may be more troops on the streets, reinforcing that NI is a normal part of the UK (??), that won't stop the old 'plan B' from operating at a higher level.

secondly they did add to our economy and provided many jobs to locals.

Surely the news of having troops on the streets because of a return to violence will destroy much of the recovery on NI's economy! It will definetly rule NI out of any FDI and much of NI's budget from the treasury would have to be diverted to defence and peacekeeping. I can't see how a soldiers pocket money can compete with a company setting up shop.

There is no way IMO could the psni cope with the violence, the troops would be needed.

The troops may be necessary alright to enforce that 'plan B' is administered and that any dissidents are dealt with.

That is why many feel betrayed by Paisley, not just because of his lies and deceit but because he didn't stand upto the governments and say try it.

It is how Stormont was so easily forced upon Unionists that has annoyed many people, the time was not right for it, much more needed to be done before stormont was up and running. Paisley or rather lundy said he had no choice, I and many like me beg to differ. He is a hypocrite of the highest order and demonized, condemned and ridiculed other Unionist politicians for doing much less than he is now currently doing. Rem how he treated Trimble?

I won't argue here. Big Ian has proven that he's an excellent and practical hypocrite.

[Jim]

wasp said:

Well if the troops are back then it reinforces the fact N.I is part of the UK, secondly they did add to our economy and provided many jobs to locals. There is no way IMO could the psni cope with the violence, the troops would be needed. That is why many feel betrayed by Paisley, not just because of his lies and deceit but because he didn't stand upto the governments and say try it.

Actually, if the troops are back, the sentiment here will be "we arent sending our sons back over to that fuckin hell hole".

For all your opposition to violence you seem to be in favour of it when the time suits.

Any troops sent over from the UK will be to put loyalists down and to enforce further all ireland integration, it'll not be to fight on your side.