NI Dec 22 Assembly Election

If the DUP came out and said word for word what Leo said they would have achieved far more than they have with their approach so far.

In a modern Irish Republic, I would say the vast majority of people would want fairness for the people of NI, and our politicians seem to be saying the exact same thing.

If the UK government agree something that we think is unfair, what can we do about it?

When GB had it's severe supermarket shortages last year, NI was basically unaffected just like ROI

Where are these 'meltdowns'?

I have seen the poll that showed people don't want to change anthems or flag. Not seeing any meltdowns. Doesn't bother me BTW, happy to change both if neccesary.

So no meltdowns over the flag or anthem. Ok.

Flags in a united Ireland is a discussion that is totally unrelated to this thread and to my post, and dragging attention away from this discussion.

The discussion here is that the NI Assembly can’t be formed while the DUP refuse to participate.

My point was that the quote by Leo is exactly what the DUP should have been saying all along, and it would have been better than what they’ve been doing.

Well you can read your post in various ways, as in just relating narrowly to the current impasse or in a wider context of fairness.

Yes you're quite right that the DUP are refusing to co-operate and using the NI protocol as an issue. That is their right though, it is a legitimate political tactic and I guess they are hoping to get to fresh assembly elections where they hope to galvanise the vote and recover their position. We can't really blame them for using the mechanics of the GFA/ BA to advance their strategy.

So maybe there should be more focus on revising the agreement and way the assembly works, so that this binary nationalist/ unionist veto is disabled. I think a lot of people would support that and like to see the middle ground parties benefit and bring sense to the table.

dont know how you define meltdown, but the bloodyminded refusal to play only Irelands Call at rugby matches is a clear example of the inability of many to be fair

I guess the people who would like to see 'the middle ground parties benefit' are the middle ground parties

Very true. I am learning through participation on this forum that most northern nationalist are much more realistic about the need for compromise than many in the south. I don’t blame southerners for that, they are detached as are those on the mainland.

here is a northern nationalist neighbour of mine, steeped in republicanism and the GAA. He’s travelled and lived away and I think he is becoming an ambassador for OWC just like eg Carl frampton, etc with opposite upbringing, looking for fairness and respect.

how do we get to a position that people like those above grow such empathy for the ‘other side’, but masses of ordinary folks (like most of us on here) struggle.

if people would just listen to paddy and talk like he talks (on both sides) the the DUP and sf would be in big trouble and the protocol would not be so intractable

https://twitter.com/mrvirtuesignal/status/1614549131388657664?s=21

You say that in the present tense. I am not a dup supporter and don’t trust them as far as if throw them. I have said repeatedly that if we head into an election in the current state then they will get my vote - And I still won’t be a ‘dup supporter’.

If you vote for them you are supporting them and their policies of troglodytic intransigent obstructionism.... you are deluded if you believe otherwise.

Do you accept that the DUP entirely and solely caused the protocol to exist?

Why do you vote for somebody? Because you support their aims at a given time.

Just because you might be ashamed of that or embarrassed doesn’t change the fact it is ‘support’.

Jeffrey won’t be taking into account downcows reservations.

Yeah. Can I say that what is most concerning for northern unionists about that little clip is that the host and the audience laugh at northern unionists. His quip about ‘what might they want’ and a patronising giggle. And then to say that ‘singing up the ra’ is ‘only a bit of fun’. It is incredible and paints a picture worse than I would ever have imagined.

our society has moved on in the north and at least most people have some sense of what is sectarian and avoid saying it in public.

we are a minority that many southerners think should join them to build a new Ireland.

Try to look at this through a different prism. If this was USA, and transfer that whole exchange and the points of laughter etc to a tv show focussing black peoples moving to their are and two white people being watched by a white audience in an exclusively white area of the States - I shouldn’t need to say anymore. The very idea that host could suggest that a song which had a kkk chant in it was just a bit of fun would be too incredible to comprehend

indeed if you wish transfer it to a bbc ni show with a Protestant interviewer, a Protestant guest and an exclusively Protestant audience in say North Down and the discussion was about how the community needs to be more welcoming to Catholics so as to remove their apprehension about moving into the area. And you can change the chant to the U U UVF

can you see that these attitudes are core to why the protocol is so concerning for northern unionists. Anything that looks like it is pushing us involuntarily towards being ruled by people with this attitudes will be resisted.

we have had decades of work around prejudice awareness and anti sectarianism up north. Maybe this is the work those who want a UI should be rolling out over the next decades among southerners in preparation.

maybe this could start by raising awareness of the pain and hurt that song causes, not just among direct victims of the terrorist organisation being adored. I see a senior member of the roi team has posted a selfie with the singers complimenting how they remember the past. If that happens up here there would be serious repercussions for the player

so maybe before you say too much about people voting dup, you might take the beam out of your own eye

(ps that is obviously not directed at the poster of the message I am replying to - the silence of others is more able)