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Post by thomas on Feb 15, 2024 6:58:30 GMT
I am prejudiced about Tony Blair. I can't stand the man , nor his party. However, at least im honest about it. You aren't some impartial commentator either. You are extremely pro Tony Blair and labour , but aren't honest about it. Ive read plenty regarding the GFA , and I fail to see what Blair did that warrants his canonisation. I said to Vinny up the thread negotiations would have happened , with or without new labour being in power. The world was turning against the British , the relentless bad press , and the British elite were coming under massive international pressure to deal with the issues in Northern Ireland. The hot potato simply landed in Blairs lap , as did the issue of Scottish devolution , where similarly he was coming under pressure to do something by the council of Europe. I stand by what I have said through this thread. The idea starmer is going to take power , and make us Scots and northern Irish love Westminster is a fantasy in your head. The border poll is written into the GFA , which your mans government agreed to , and is something you can't dodge forever. Northern Ireland was created out of spite in 1920 , and has been a ticking time bomb handed from prime minister to prime minister ever since. At first , the British elite were secure in their protestant majority sectarian apartheid state , since 2017 , the direction of travel has finally dawned on them. Now they are scrabbling about desperate not to be the prime minister that finally loses the place. The Irish aren't backing down. There was a northern Irish debate in the house of lords in your parliament last night , and lord kilclooney pointed out that out of 800 English peers , only one bothered to turn up. The Irish know you dont care about them , and many in England would happily offload them. I dont think hardcore women like o Neil and Mac Donald are going to be put off a border poll by a wet lettuce like starmer. Throwing crumbs to the northern Irish like this poor old bugger being taken to trial won't stop a border poll . Honestly I don't think your analysis in respect of Northern Ireland is correct. ok.Thank you for your post , but I ask again , can you show me what Tony Blair personally did regarding the GFA negotiations , and explain a bit more what you think I have wrong regarding the wider issues of Northern Ireland? I can't for the life of me understand selective justice being applied in certain cases when it suits regarding the troubles legacy , when the place has one foot out the door and looks to most people to be heading for reunification anyway. Isnt it time to stop the silly charades of the Westminster elite , deal with the vast mistakes Tony Blair made , and once and for all make good a bad situation that was created out of nothing more than spite a century ago? Surely its the least westmsinter owes to all the people and families that have suffered under a crises of their own making.? |
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Post by thomas on Feb 15, 2024 7:00:38 GMT
You going to apply that argument to the majority in Russia re Ukraine?... Honestly, Steve - you're really clutching at straws if that's the best you can do. as ive been saying throughout this thread. Oh look Steves found a squirrel. |
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Post by thomas on Feb 15, 2024 7:05:08 GMT
Opinion polls are unreliable. The majority in Northern Ireland are now Catholic. It is worth asking them. Not even Sinn Fein are saying that threshold has been passed yet. But it is getting closer. Not quite true. Sinn Fein are saying there will be a border poll within the next six years , which puts it potentially within the next parliamentary term of a possible labour government.
Irish unity border poll will be held before 2030, Mary Lou McDonald predicts
“I think Chris Heaton-Harris, with all due respect, that’s a bit of an ostrich mentality, sticking your head in the sand and refusing to see what’s actually happening all around you,” she told ITV.
Ms O’Neill added: “I think he’s ignoring the reality. My election speaks to the change that’s happening across the island.
“My parents and grandparents never believed this day would come, that this change would never come about because the north is built in such a way that someone from my background was never supposed to be in a position of first minister.
You know, all the old certainties of the past, of that state that they were born into, are gone.
“So I actually think that my appointment actually does reflect the change that’s happening.” www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/mary-lou-mcdonald-irish-chris-heatonharris-sinn-fein-president-b2492777.html |
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Post by thomas on Feb 15, 2024 7:10:04 GMT
This is a debating forum, I'm suggesting that a referendum be held. No you said the majority in NI are Catholic and I'm saying not even Sinn Fain are saying that. What was your reference? The 2021 census says only 42.3% whats that got to do with it? It's not just an orange green issue , there is a large and growing group in Northern Ireland who dont identify with either orange or green , but are open to the idea of reunification. I would suggest not only do you not have a clue about Northern Ireland , like so many in the English liberal left , you merely want to use Northern Ireland as a stick to beat Brexit with . Unfortunately , it looks like the majority in England want to ditch the place . |
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Post by Steve on Feb 15, 2024 10:23:38 GMT
 ignored ^ If a sensible poster wants to take up any of those points I'll look at it |
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Post by thomas on Feb 16, 2024 6:59:07 GMT
ignored ^ If a sensible poster wants to take up any of those points I'll look at it lol. That's alright Steve. I accept your surrender. Just to point out , we know from this panelbase poll on the run up to the last election , that the majority of people in England , who make up the vast majority of the population , would happily ditch Northern Ireland ...... 
by an even bigger margin (59-41), the people of England are also willing – on those numbers one might go so far as to say “eager” – to dump Northern Ireland if it gets them out of the European Union. |
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Post by Steve on Feb 16, 2024 10:27:41 GMT
I note that no sensible poster has endorsed any of Thomas's rants above
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Post by thomas on Feb 16, 2024 15:38:58 GMT
The purpose of an adult political debating forum is to stand toe to toe with each other debating like men. If you feel you can't do this without mummy holding your hand , or feel mummy needs to hold other peoples hands , then perhaps it's not for you . No tea for you tonight Steve , and mummy will be taking the iPad off you.
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