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Wow this is just incredible. A Republic of Ireland man i have little interest in the North politics but this new development is a incredible turn around.
Sinn Fein are set to become not only the largest party in Northern Ireland (as would have been expected give the makeup of the 6 Counties) but in fact under new rules set out in the 06 Agreement the largest Political Party elects the First Minister.
Its seems that Unionism in the North is set to splinter in all direction causing a huge split in the vote and as a result Unionists coming out 2nd in the Democratic voting process which will drive the DUP Hardliners bonkers. But the DUP whose preaching is now a party that faces a wipeout at election time. The UUP with there conservative link set to become the new force in Unionism and forcing the old brigade such as Pasleys etc out of Politics in the North which to be honest can only be a good thing.
McGuiness is sitting pretty having come from Arms and leader of the Provo Ira to a future leader leading Northern Ireland into the Future. This is a story to rival Castro in Cuba or even Che Guevara. While i am sure many posters in the UK on this forum will detest this man it has to worth saying that he has been the driving force towards a peaceful North….and alot of his old comrades are quite ready to kill him as a result. It shows what can happen when people sit down and discuss.
Its Seems though that even Unionists Hardliners are welcome of McGuiness as Leader and is full proof of a huge turnaround in the hatred that exits between the UUP AND DUP. It is well know that Lord Trimble of the Conservatives and prob NI Minister from the Next Conservative goverment is willing to live with McGuiness rather than Robinson.
With Cameron who looks better than Brown and Trimble as his co pilot with McGuiness as the leader of Northern Ireland. We have seen a truly remarkable turnaround in British Politics in 20 years
Didn’t he ‘alledgedly’ shoot someone? What a pity the talking didn’t start a lot sooner? Am I right in thinking that, for all his faults, Tony Blair was the one really started the peace process [along with Bill Clinton]? My knowledge of Irish politics is very limited, as you can see.
Am I right in thinking that, for all his faults, Tony Blair was the one really started the peace process [along with Bill Clinton]? My knowledge of Irish politics is very limited, as you can see.
Mo – it was John Major who actually started the process but, as is his wont, Bliar took the credit.
I think it was 5 parties that found common ground
Americans
DUP
SINN FEIN
Labour
Fianna Fail(ROI party)Iris Robinson must be the most disgraced British Politician in along time. I am only young but cant remember such a incident
Thanks for an interesting analysis Wallace. It will be interesting to see if McGuiness truly embraces democracy (whatever that can be defined as) and will condemn violence by whoever commits it.
I can’t help thinking that as McGuiness’ star rises, so will the efforts of those to besmirch him – ex intelligence people and the like.Paul says in answer to Moehat:-
Mo – it was John Major who actually started the process but, as is his wont, Bliar took the credit.
Spot on Paul. Blair really is the most contemptible git. I’m surprised at how little people know about Major’s participation in the peace process. Blair would have shown himself to be a bigger man had he acknowledged it too – but I shouldn’t be surprised at him trying to take all the glory.
A Lt-Colonel Charteris, I believe, working in British Intelligence who once interviewed Martin McGuiness, said he had the impression that he was talking to someone of the level of a brigadier. And I believe he meant in the regular military.
Considering his own, slightly more junior rank at the time, it was a tremendous compliment, though doubtless well-merited.
I used to have a sub-tabloid understanding of the goings-on in NI, but mercifully, eventually learned what a shocking role we had played in our attempted subjugation and real occupation of Ireland.
I think Tabloid press is dangerous in conflicts. Its good for Football and Men trying to get a hard on mid day by looking at Women.
I cant be used for such important issues and usually books are the most accurate and fair reflection of the World unlike Newspapers these day.
McGuiness is a man i have come to admire…i do understand that he was a bloody awful killer in his time but so he everyone in the "Troubles". I think his drive to get peace and move the North forward is something of a glory path to hide his lacking before he sat down with his pen. But everyone seems to have a certain admiration for him these days even SNR Paisley which is a incredible really.
Lets hope they can move forward as one……..but i have a feeling that if Sinn Fein get no.1 vote in the north the DUP will flop around like children and will call for a change to the rules. If a Democratically elected Nationalist Majority is not allowed to rule(no ruling in it as both sides have to agree) then we could head straight back into nasty dark days
Iris Robinson must be the most disgraced British Politician in along time. I am only young but cant remember such a incident
She isn’t British, she was born in Belfast which makes her Northern Irish. Like AP McCoy, you cannot make someone British as and when it suits. You also appear to know a little more about the political history than you claim to admit.
If she was British, and a British MP, I suggest she would have been ditched some time ago.
Of modern politicians operating out of the devolved assembly in the North, McGuinness would be one that appears more statesmanlike and in touch with reality, than some others I can think of.
Firstly its a tough statement to make
There is no passport for such a Country called Northern Ireland…is a disputed terrortry as such.
Robinson can claim British or Irish passports….she claims British i would imagine. I would say for Unionits politicians they consider themselves British first Northern Irish 2nd same as you may say British first Scottish 2nd for example.
AP McCoy,George Best etc havent made a fact of whether there British or Irish or Northern Irish. In Politics i would make a distinction as such.
She is in fact a British MP i think as is her Husband who have taken 500,000 from the British Taxpayer double jobing i would also like to add in the last year as they also paid a MLA wage.
Also i do enjoy history…….i only 20 so i cant say i can talk first hand about the Troubles etc but i have read books and book on all World History. Fascinates me tbh. Little interest in Modern Day NI politics but this is something that i would like to understand the in and outs of the Unionist divide is classic case of friends turned foes.
Quote: "She isn’t British…"
I always thought that Great Britain PLC was made up of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
I am sure she is classed as White British.
Tonight’s Panorama did a real demolition job on both her and her husband, The First Minister, whose temporary absence will soon become permanent if tonight’s allegations are found to be true.
Her personal and alleged ‘business’ dealings only reinforce my belief that she’s been feathering her nest for quite some time. To have such close relationships with property developers seems to suggest that there needs to be a full investigation into all planning applications that she has been remotely connected with. It has all the hallmarks of that 1960’s scenario in the North of England where loads of Councillors were lining their pockets via the generosity of a property developer.Whatever about being the biggest party in the North, I hope the day never comes that Sinn Féin form part of a coalition government down south. It would sicken my hole to see Shinners like Martin Ferris and Mary Lou McDonald in power.
I consider myself a proud Irishman, but I could never condone any of the things done by the Provos and their legacy will be a permanent stain on Sinn Féin in my eyes.
Yeah Sinn Fein actual policies are dire….but so are all the policies up there.
They ban Gays if DUP had there way
Firstly its a tough statement to make
There is no passport for such a Country called Northern Ireland…is a disputed terrortry as such.
Robinson can claim British or Irish passports….she claims British i would imagine. I would say for Unionits politicians they consider themselves British first Northern Irish 2nd same as you may say British first Scottish 2nd for example.
AP McCoy,George Best etc havent made a fact of whether there British or Irish or Northern Irish. In Politics i would make a distinction as such.
She is in fact a British MP i think as is her Husband who have taken 500,000 from the British Taxpayer double jobing i would also like to add in the last year as they also paid a MLA wage.
Also i do enjoy history…….i only 20 so i cant say i can talk first hand about the Troubles etc but i have read books and book on all World History. Fascinates me tbh. Little interest in Modern Day NI politics but this is something that i would like to understand the in and outs of the Unionist divide is classic case of friends turned foes.
…thank you Wallace, some good points and a balanced response.
I think the Good Friday Agreement allowed people to decide whether they are Irish or British citizens, however she will always be Northern Irish to me
are you interested in the American Civil War by any chance?
Great Britain is made of three autonomous regions, and the United Kingdom comprises of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Great Britain is not a country, whereas the United Kingdom is a country.
The term ‘British’ may refer to all people from Great Britain, but it doesn’t refer to all people from the United Kingdom.
Even better (apart from the US State size comparisons. Grrrr) –
England is about the size of Alabama.
Scotland is about the size of South Carolina.
Wales is about the size of Massachusetts.
These three countries together make up Great Britain.
With the addition of Northern Ireland, about the size of Connecticut, they make up the United Kingdom, which is a bit smaller than Wyoming.
The full name of the United Kingdom is ‘The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland’. The term ‘Britain’ is used informally to refer to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The United Kingdom was created by an Act of Parliament in 1801.
In the Middle Ages, Wales was made up of several small kingdoms or principalities which, by 1300, had come largely under English control. But Wales was only formally incorporated into England by Parliamentary legislation that began in 1536.
Scotland and England had separate monarchies until 1603, when King James VI of Scotland succeeded Queen Elizabeth I on the English throne. A full merger of the two countries, forming the Kingdom of Great Britain, followed in 1707.
Ireland had come under varying degrees of English influence from the 12th century onward, but was not united to Great Britain until 1801. In 1922 southern Ireland withdrew from the union.
Source –
http://ukinusa.fco.gov.uk/en/faqs/facts-figures/uk-vs-gb
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