#ni politics

[aeolianblues]

WALES, NORTHERN IRELAND AND CORNWALL ARE TORY-FREE

+ Scotland is down to 5 Tory MP/“s

[banrionceallach]

The pettiest thing that annoys me about the Orange order (after, you know, the sectarianism, the misogyny, the whole 'yay colonialism') is those stupid bowler hats. Marching around celebrating William of Orange and all of them dressed like they're cosplaying Mr. Banks from Mary Poppins.

Get some period accurate armour, at the very least. I mean, come on.

[lesbiansandgayssupporttheminers]

I just want to write something about the political situation in Northern Ireland- I don’t want to speak for Irish people, but I think it’s important people who live in Britain take an interest and understand what’s going on.

Under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, Northern Ireland is meant to have devolution, with it’s own parliament. There’s a strict agreement about powersharing between the parties.

In the last 6 years, Northern Ireland has had a functioning parliament for two of them. This is largely due to the DUP blocking the formation of a cabinet that doesn’t serve their interests. The liberal ideal of “just vote” isn’t working.

One of the more recent and significant events are that in 2022, the DUP first minister resigned due to Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal- a Brexit deal which very clearly disregarded the Good Friday Agreement, and Northern Ireland in general. This essentially caused the dissolution of the parliament and led to elections in May 2022.

For the first time, Sinn Fein won the most seats, meaning the first minister would be someone from the party. But the DUP were unhappy, and refused to participate in the election of a speaker, meaning the government could not function. Due to the DUP’s behaviour, just like from 2017-2020, there’s currently no NI assembly. And it seems like the DUP know if they just hold out long enough, they’ll force another election.

And presumably they’ll keep doing this until they get the result they want.

People tell us to “just vote”. Well, the people of Northern Ireland did vote, and the party in power refused to relinquish their interests. Meanwhile, catholic republican communities continue to be discriminated against in all sorts of ways- including by the police. The police, furthermore, are a symbol (and a practical force) of Britain’s colonial occupation of Northern Ireland.

Against this backdrop, what other recourse do young Irish people have but violence?

[irishteagoblin]

I remember the Northern Ireland Westminster Rep Election results for North Antrim going something a bit like this for me.

[justanotherbookortwo]

Sunk cost fallacy is so real

[gaygraviturgist]

ian paisley jr lost his seat

[mariemariemaria]

no results for northern ireland at this stage is a joke 😭

[inch-plant]

graffiti found in Belfast

[thoughtlessarse]

Doug Beattie has resigned as leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) on Monday. In a statement this morning, Mr Beattie said that while the UUP had seen successes in the recent Westminster election last month, he has had “irreconcilable differences” with his party officers. The Upper Bann Assembly member, who is a decorated Army veteran, was elected UUP leader in 2021. From the liberal wing of unionism, Mr Beattie took on the role, pledging a progressive agenda and a move toward the middle ground. His resignation comes after what was a relatively positive general election result for the UUP, with the party securing a Westminster seat for the first time since 2017. -Mr Beattie said it had been a “huge honour” to lead the party. “It has not been easy and at times it has been both lonely and isolating,” he said.

continue reading

That's a pity. He was the only progressive unionist leader, when compared to the others. I hope whoever replaces him isn't another run-of-the-mill unionist.

[banrionceallach]

I'm cautiously optimistic about Sinn féin's performance. It can't be ignored that Jeffrey Donaldson being arrested for historical sexual offences weakened and split the DUPs normal vote share somewhat. That probably won't last forever.

Managed to struggle my way on to the train this morning. Sinn Fein is the largest party in Northern Ireland which is interesting and sign of where things are headed.

SNP obviously has taken a hammering which I pretty much expected was going to happen. Time for a bit of reflection on the strategy to date and maybe deciding what comes next.

Joanna Cherry losing her job is good news. Seriously, good riddance.

Douglas Ross lost his seat too, great laugh, racist cunt.

I said this in reply to an ask, but polls show support for independence is stable. Unionists always said that sending SNP MPs to Westminster meant nothing in terms of independence, the same people will now use Labour’s gains to say independence is dead.

They can’t have it both ways.

[aeolianblues]

DUP founder’s son is out. Lmao, goodbye

[atlanticbones]

[seachranaidhe]

Boris Johnson agreed Brexit protocol knowing it was a 'mess', says John Major.

Johnson’s administration made promises over NI deal it knew were unworkable, former PM tells MPs Tuesday 7th February, 2023. John Major has launched a scathing attack on Boris Johnson’s handling of Brexit, saying his administration agreed to NI Protocol the despite knowing it was unworkable.“That must be the first agreement in history that was signed by people who decided it was useless in the…

[kyonshi-8610]

naninyu naglalaro nga lang po sila 🥺

[justanotherbookortwo]

the synchronised "oh god no" when edwin poots was nominated for speaker

[listen-to-the-inner-walrus]

Not an exhaustive list, but for any Brits who see this, there's expected rioting tonight in:

Cleveland, Thornaby. Likely to be at the mosque in Westbury Street at ~5pm

Durham. Both in the city centre and apparently at the Bishop Auckland Town Hall.

Leicestershire, Coalville. Potentially starting at the clock tower.

Manchester. Potentially the police station in Salford.

Peterborough. Some talk about gathering outside the prison.

Rochdale. Outside the Broadfield Hotel on Sparrow Hill.

Scunthorpe. Reports of it starting at Scunthorpe Museum on Oswald Street moving off to Frodingham Road. Late to posting this as reports said it would start at 12.

Sheffield. The Holiday Inn is a suspected target. I believe it's off of Victoria Station Road.

Stoke-on-Trent. Potentially at the Best Western Hotel on Audley Road.

Also in Northern Ireland, there's expected to be one at Chimney Corner in Belfast, and in Newton Abbey.