NI Dec 22 Assembly Election

So the NI Protocol is in the past and therefore doesn't answer the question as to why you might or might not vote for the DUP.

But you will support the DUB because of the NI Protocol

Well at least we know your thinking is beyond logical scrutiny.

It’s really very simple.

I hold the dup significantly to blame for the protocol.

I believe the most effective use of my vote today to oppose the protocol is dup.

I might seem strange but it’s true.

Ugh more deflecting whataboutery.

Im talking to YOU about YOUR vote, the fact you cant and wont answer without pointing fingers speaks volumes.

Abstention from the parliament that is doing you the harm is legitimate...however holding a parliament/executive that cannot change anything hostage to your demands is not.

The Executive could have intervened on Irish language and RHI but it cannot on the Protocol. IF the executive was allowed to vote on the Protocol, it would vote to keep it currently.

It may be doing them harm. But holding an executive with no power to satisfy them, hostage is the problem. They should be holding the implementers and originators of the Protocol hostage.

I welcome the idea that the rules are to be changed btw.

SF asked that she stand aside(not her resignation) to allow a proper inquiry as others did too. When she wouldn't (with the support of other Unionist parties) SF collapsed the Executive and the inquiry took place.

The Executive had the power to make her stand aside.

Not surprised you don't know how you Exec works. Here you go...the 'power' to remove is there.

Vote of no confidence[edit]

The Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), Alliance Party, People Before Profit (PBP), Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV), and the Green Party signed a ministerial exclusion motion under Section 30 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, which would formally remove Foster from office.[25] Although the opposition had a majority in the subsequent motion of no confidence, the motion did not pass because of Stormont's cross-community procedures.[26] This section was intended for removing politicians from office if they became involved in paramilitary activities.

Colum Eastwood, SDLP leader, said that Foster "should follow the precedent set by her predecessor and resign to restore confidence in the office of first minister while these questions hang over her". UUP leader Mike Nesbitt called for the MLAs to "come together and protect the reputation of the institutions".[27]

After three hours of debate, a division was called and MLAs voted on the motion. Of the 75 members voting, 39 voted to exclude her from office, while 36 MLAs voted against. Although a 52% majority had thus supported the vote of no confidence, under Stormont rules, the vote was a cross-community vote that required the majority of nationalist MLAs and unionist MLAs to support it. 100% of nationalist MLAs, but only 29% of unionist MLAs, voted to exclude Foster, meaning that Foster survived the vote of no confidence.

What do reasonable people think here. Is Leo speaking with integrity and is there a possibility he will shift his position towards a more fair evenhanded approach, which could lead to an election and the reestablishment of stormont.

certainly saying some more interesting stuff about the protocol being imposed over the heads of unionists. He seems to be a slow learner but I certainly did not expect the unionist community to be achieving as much change so quickly

He is simply buttering up the DUP to accept the Protocol with a few tweaks. BTW he said 'over the heads of Unionist and Nationalists' and that is a criticism of your Government who proposed and signed it into law.

"I do have regrets and a regret that I have is that in the same way Brexit was imposed on Northern Ireland without the support of both communities, the protocol was imposed on Northern Ireland without the support of two communities," he said.

Varadkar 'regrets' issues on way protocol implemented (rte.ie)

Yes, your government imposed it on you just like Brexit was imposed. Your late monarch signed it into law...your laws.

Governments do that all the time. Like they did on women's rights and Language rights and the traffic laws etc etc.

This isn't news.

And I told you what is happening.

It is generally called 'politics' and more specifically diplomacy.

The DUP are being provided with a way to climb down in a form of words and gestures. The Protocol is going nowhere.

Dublin knows this, The British know this (Steve Baker and Challing are doing the same thing, also Sunak) The rest of the EU know this and most of all the DUP and Donaldson know this. He responded in kind and welcomed the comments.

Whether he continues with it, and climbs down, is up to him. Your senior political correspondent Alex Kane seems to think he will. But he cannot say he was not given the chance to save face.

Everyone with any political wit knows what is happening.

P.S. It was meant to be 'headline news' up there, see how Leo's words were manipulated to look like he was only talking about Unionists.

So you are iggesting at the end of this we will get the ‘rigorous implementation’ that all the nationalist parties called for? I think you’ve got the face-saving a little too one-sided

Oh I couldn’t agree more. That’s why it is very important that the test is met with a clear answer.

your post should demonstrate to all those on here who are struggling to understand the need for unionists to keep stormont down. Any reestablishment would be sending a very dangerous message

The 'threat' is being ignored @downcow

Sunak and his team are ploughing on regardless and a deal will be done.