The Irish protocol.

Yeh, my cousin knows one of the lads at the back.

Just on the band thing. Maybe downcow could confirm.

A fella here who played in a brass band was telling me that at 13 or 14 years of age he could play approx 20 tunes on the trumpet. But they never actually learned to play the instrument. It is a kind of rote note-learning system they use. The main issue he said was keeping everyone in tune. He's in his 40's now and couldn't play a note on the trumpet and has forgotten how to play all the tunes he knew. I am sure there are some genuine musicians in there too.

Never knew that.

I think it's entirely dependent on how Donaldson approaches the meeting. If he shows up making demands and pulling the woe is me blame game, I don't think he'll achieve much. If he shows up and acts like a statesman, recognising that Ireland has been looking out for NI (while protecting itself) all along, he could well have an ally in the EU when it comes to seeking easements for NI.

Ultimately though, your problem still lies with the UK government.

What did you think of Jamie's sh*t show of a protest in Enniskillen and what it says about how much support the anti-Protocol crowd has at large?

During his Dublin trip Macron reiterated that the EU will insist that the British government stick to the deal it negotiated on behalf of Northern Ireland.

You see that's it. There's simply no real appetite in Northern Ireland to change the NI protocol. I suspect the DUP are just campaigning against it so that they don't lose the support of their voter base. There's two unionists on this thread. One the states he/she is happy with the increasing closeness between the North and South and another who states that the protocol must go ect. The problem is the latter of the two has been caught out in pretending they don't know who Irish politicians are, hosting pretend polls and overhearing literally everything in a pub which coincidently backs up what goes on in his mind. If there was actual opposition to the NI protocol people wouldn't have to make up stuff to back up their point, nor would we see pathetic little protests organised by loyalist groups with terror connections.

Jeffery and the Unionists will have to get over the fact that the Irish government under the aegis of an internationally binding agreement with their government have every right to 'have a say'.

I doubt Jeffery will raise the matter mehico. Jeffery knows the score. He'll run with the hare and hunt with the hound. Lots of mithering to his own audience but he will work the Agreement and the Protocol because he knows there is no choice in the matter.

DUP will now try to use the Protocol to avoid a kicking in next years elections.

Allison Morris on Twitter: "The DUP, it seems, is preparing to ramp things up in the autumn over protocol https://t.co/p5EpZR28F2" / Twitter

Alliance dropping 3 is a surprise at this stage.

Still not convinced their rise represents the change some think it does.

Interesting what is happening between the DUP and TUV and what it will mean.

Does the DUP go more TUV or does it try and hold and build from there. If the TUV have risen to that level why only 40 or 50 turning out to see their leader at protests.

Interesting times.

I'd be surprised if Alliance ever attracted 'hardcore Nationalists' pixel.

I think Alliance are the bellwether party to be honest. They reflect how much division still remains and how failed the state is.

A vote that will constantly ebb and flow depending on which side is in crisis

I didn't say it was a wise strategy....one doesn't tend to analyse the strategy of children with toys in prams.