NI Dec 22 Assembly Election

We all know the dup are not to be trusted. The only reason they are standing their ground now is because the ordinary people are holding them to account. That is why I am happy to see 80% of unionists saying to them ‘don’t you dare go back into stormont’

Codding yourself and nobody else, again.

31% are happy with changes in Protocol.

Unionism is fractured.

Absolute nonsense. The dup have been very clear that they will sit with MON. So you are just being silly.

it seems very clear to me what the dup have been told by their voters that is required ie no illogical additional checks between gb and ni, and Uk jurisdiction over Uk territory

The Protocol will still be in place which is what you were told.

But if it ends this latest silliness, pretend you won, if that doesn't make Unionism blush heavily.

You are no Jeffery Donaldson, getting away from scrutiny when you tell porkies. I have been consostent on this. Negotiations will be within the existing framework of the Protocol which is going nowhere. Here I am saying it in October 2021:

#9118 here Brexit discussion thread XIV (Please read OP before posting) - Page 304 — boards.ie - Now Ye're Talkin'

Loads more too so please stop telling porkies downcow

Back on thread, reading the first page again emphases that nationalists have a ‘our view is obviously the correct view’ attitude. Seems there is still no understanding of the depth of feeling in the unionist community about roi pushing eu to put a border in the middle of our nation. We have the gfa which promises to respect the view that the majority in ni want to live in the Uk (until/if ever otherwise). This is serious stuff when democracy is thrown out. Elections while this remains the position will be very divisive

Tell us now in no uncertain terms what you think will happen?

Do you believe the border will be moved /removed and the jurisdiction of the EU courts?

Please stop this ‘trolling’ claim. This seems to be the go to position when some are losing arguments on here. I am not trolling, I am disagreeing.

as for gfa. I supported it from day one. If the protocol remains in its current form then I will regard it as broken. I don’t need to explain - it is so obvious.

you may be correct that Uk and eu will collude against the gfa and not allow the gfa consent principal to apply on this issue. If you are correct then this island is in for difficult days. We have a peace agreement that says certain things won’t happen without the consent of both communities.

I honestly don’t know the outcome if you are right, but I am genuinely concerned about it and its not the actions of my generation that concerns me.

Many people are angry that they swallowed some very bitter pills on promises of the gfa, and if those promises don’t matter now then it is a tricky situation.

I said a few weeks ago that I expect you will get a more public display, pre Xmas, of the risks ahead which have been fuelled by the claims of Leo etc that there will be trouble if any checks go on land border. I have no reason to change that belief

edit - and in case that gets spun, let me be very clear, I am not suggesting there will be violence pre Xmas or in the near future, indeed I would be shocked if there was

A northern assembly would require power-sharing. If the nationalist parties decide to settle for Direct Rule from Dublin, then Dublin would have to step in and fill the vacuum. It would be a reversal of what we've got at the moment with unionists shrugging their shoulders about whether power-sharing comes back or not. This is why I think unionism is making a big mistake with their approach.

gfa was always a compromise for unionists who were up for finding a solution that maintained the union but gave the Ira some way off the hook they were caught on, as them being on the hook of endless violence that was going nowhere was preventing NI developing. The NI community/project is stronger than it ever has been, with by-in across community backgrounds, only resisted by the shinners, the dissidents and TUV. As far as I can see everyone else is happy if we can take NI to the next step. Of course we have stuff to work on around embracing our diversity but we will get there.

sf are enjoying a rise across the island a bit like the dup did in ni when they were in opposition to uup etc. the next decade is going to present serious challenges to sf as the have to step in and become the establishment while others shout from opposition.

Enjoy it while it lasts, cause it won’t last long

Union/Loyalism: Brought the gun back into Irish politics 1912.

Unionism/Loyalism: Threatens to do the same 2022.

Meanwhile the US makes it clear what is required. UK signaling they will comply.

I think the charge of 'not wanting NI to work' has to be laid at the door of those trying to enforce a veto they don't have. The Protocol is not a devolved issue and that has been legally ratified by 'British' courts but yet Unionism is insisting on trying to extricate themselves from their own mess by destroying devolution and various agreements. Own it, you are voting for it after all.

We can argue the point all day about whether changing the protocol is good or bad for NI.

what we can both agree (I hope) is that on one party in NI need NI not to work and can’t even utter its name.