I am old enough (alas) to remember the final weeks and months of Richard Nixon’s presidency. I was living in Canada at the time, and the big US networks provided detailed nightly coverage of what had been uncovered that day, what new revelations had emerged, who said they couldn’t remember, who clearly had lied, and who went on lying by denying they had lied.
I’m reminded of that decline and fall by the present Cash-for-Ash cluster-suck. The claim had been that Arlene Foster didn’t know about the dangers of the absurd scheme, and that the first email she received from the whistle-blower was merely a request for a meeting to discuss business. Nigel Dodds put his political body between the First Minister and the bullet: “The initial email was the only contact with the Minister”.
Ever since yesterday things aren’t looking so…I was going to say hot, but maybe a better word is rosy. Arlene has said that “the lady only made those whistle-blowing concerns to the officials later on”. Oh dear. Yesterday’s Nolan Show produced a 2013 email to Arlene which warned “It pays them to use as much as they can. In fact, the incentive to use more is leading to misuse in some cases.”
Mike Nesbitt says this email is the smoking gun that clinches the case against Arlene. The DUP still struggles: “The First Minister has no formal record of any emails from this period as her records do not go back this far”
EH? They don’t go back as far as 2013? Maybe the escape clause is that adjective “formal”. Because my email records and I’ll bet yours too go back far, far further than 2013. That was rightly touted as one of the strengths of gmail when it emerged: no more erasing of old emails needed. Yet we’re asked to believe that the First Minister doesn’t have a “formal record of any emails from this period” because her records don’t go back that far. Here – pull this one, guys. It’s got bells on it.
Poor old Dick Nixon. Back in the day, the reports showed how, as the net of accusations tightened, he blamed the wrong-doing on underling after underling, right up to and including his two chief White House advisers, Haldeman and Ehrlichman. In the end, even that wasn’t enough to save him.
Anyone who thinks this one is going to blow out with the predicted Christmas gales would do well to re-read the tale of Dick’s departure: first indignation, then bluster, then denial, then blame-transfer, and finally the victory signs as he boarded the helicopter, no longer President.
I do see the resemblance…but Nixon has a little less hair….
I think this is quite an apt parallel.
The Arlene we see in office is different from what we saw of her before taking power.
I don’t think she is changed by the role however; I think we are seeing more of what she actually is.
Her now unconstrained arrogance is breathtaking to observe. Clearly the power she now wields must make her believe she can do what she likes without comment and is immune from external criticism. Nixon was brought to say basically that illegal acts were not illegal if the president did/ordered them. I believe Arlene is in the clutch of such thinking now.
I do not believe she has told us the truth. I think the truth to her now is what she can bring DUP voters to believe, or at least offer her the benefit of the doubt.
Her tilt at Jonathan Bell and the allegations she put in the public domain is such an obviously desperate act that it is very telling. Arlene is quite willing to throw even ministerial level people in the DUP (he was one at least) into the mill to grind to grist to feed her lust for power and position.
She is willing to throw the joint position of the OFM/DFM, central to the GFA, into the bin to bring us back to a usurped Unionist dominated Stormont. A despicable and callous act likely to feed those vehemently and violently opposed to the peace agreement structures. In doing so she has damaged the faith of the wider population in the peace and peace structures.
She was willing to throw the speaker of the house into disrepute, bending/breaking the rules of the assembly, in order to abuse her position to lecture those listening upon the subject of her pathetic excuses and blame transference in the RHI issues.
These three acts demonstrate that it is in here character to sacrifice ANYTHING in order to maintain her grip on her position, regardless of the personal and wider consequences for the rest of the people in Northern Ireland.
She has demonstrated in a very short time through her personal incompetence and the disastrous post RHI scandal response that she is proving to be hugely damaging for Northern Ireland. A truly awful politician.
Arlene doesn’t love Northern Ireland. Arlene loves Arlene, alone. What will worry her is that Northern Ireland is fast falling out of love with Arlene.
I mentioned this a few days ago Ciaran , but i’ll elaborate somewhat .All living creatures act like this at the moment of exposure and buttock-tightening fright. As Jude said, I too remember the Tricky Dicky debacle which he refers to in real -time , although we all knew years before he went down that he was a trickster.The bold Bill Clinton was charm itself , but he could lie like a legend when it came to not having sex with that woman Monica.Arlene is cut from similar cloth as we all knew already , but megalomania has now taken hold in full view..Like I say…all animals act like this . Many years ago I actually had to try and kill a rat in my mother’s backyard. This was literally that cornered rat of legend. It ran into a corner and faced me which was not a pleasant experience at all. The only weapon close to hand was my father’s old worn spade.I chopped down hard on the creature’s neck and the steel contacted and bounced off the concrete below. The bloody rat , seemed not to feel a thing and lifted itself and scampered away , much to my amazement . …Yes …i believe Arlene has a similar brass neck on her and she will fight to the death , possibly even believing she is in the right when it is patently obvious to one and all that she has misused her power and really screwed us all for £480 odd million.
Well, her emails are hosted in a private company names.co.uk so if any judge led investigation does not have power to request access to the server backups from this period from this company then it wont be worth squat as they can easily be deleted. It is a UK company though so this should not be difficult but it is imperative any investigation has sufficient powers to do this and to call witnesses and request access to all data.
I am sure it wont get through the floor without insisting on this is the case and any such amendments needed to guarantee it are included. Anyone who objects to this including Sinn Fein will have a lot of explaining to do.
Not entirely correct Jessica, in the world of IT, nothing is unrecoverable.
Yes, but without the enquiries act teeth, it may not be able to compel the company to provide access to the backups, or personal computers etc…..
It really is essential as I would not trust the DUP to go to the corner shop at the moment
Would you trust a Muslim to go to the shop for the DUP?
Of the few Muslims I know through previous consultancy work in third world Asia in a lot worse conditions than we have, I would trust them implicitly. They would give up what little they have for a complete stranger and would put most Christians to shame.
You think we would know better than to trust state and media propaganda.
I’d love to believe that this crisis will really change attitudes in NI and Arlene Foster will go the way of Richard Nixon but I’ll wait till I see it first.
Who’s attitude do you think needs to change Dominic?
Should it not really depend on the outcome of the investigation and what actual evidence is produced.
You have just said you want her to go the way of Nixon, is that irrespective if evidence goes with her or against her.
I think she will be a damaged leader even if she does survive but it is about due process being seen to have taken place and if there is no evidence why shouldn’t she stay as leader of the DUP. Hardly going to do them any favours.
I think that the eagerness of some of the opposition parties here is actually making it look like a witch hunt which may actually go in her favour in rallying people behind her.
Young Colum in his eagerness to impress is making many rash decisions, his never attending the Whitehouse with Trump in it and now his inexperience and naivety in rushing without thinking things through is giving the DUP the wriggle room they need.
You’re being pedantic for effect Jessica. There is justifiable outrage at what has happened and in a normal polity Arlene Foster would be gone. The farce in Stormont showed total disrespect for the institutions we all voted for. This is the attitude I’m referring to. Arlene thinks she has the support of the people of NI and is therefore untouchable. Are Sinn Fein going to do anything about it?
Unfortunately we are not in a normal polity Dominic and Arlene Foster still has substantive support within unionism and will have until evidence is presented.
This is not pedantics, it is fact.
Yes, this was indeed blatant disrespect. It is not the first time the DUP have been blatantly disrespectful. What are you saying, it is ok for them to disrespect the Irish language, republicans in general but don’t dare disrespect the Stormont institutions.
Are you saying that’s what everyone is so upset about, the good name of the Stormont institutions?
I don’t give a shit about the Stormont institutions.
What is needed is cross community support for an enquiry with teeth to get to the truth and for the courts to decide on Arlene’s future and at the same time for the DUP to be made to claw back all the money they can which will upset most those who registered for the scheme knowing it was an err which they were taking advantage off.
If any parties were helping others access this scheme inappropriately including Sinn Fein, this will undo it.
I don’t want to hear about outrage over Stormont rules not being adhered to, when so much crap has gone under the bridge already that no one was as concerned about then.
Screw Stormont.
You’re on your own then Jessica because the people of Ireland voted for the GFA and its institutions
Sure Dominic.
You do remember there was barely 50% turn out last time out.
What percentage turnout do you think we would have now?
40% would be optimistic I feel
Dominic, nothing is set in stone.
The GFA is set in international law and by agreement Stormont is a consequence. No, its not set in stone however we have to work within that which we agreed. We must be persuaders rather than whingers
Says the guy who whinges about Ken Fletchers shop more than the 13 people shot dead that led to it.
Who is it you are trying to persuade and to do what?
I am not a member of the SDLP Jessica.
I didn’t think you were, but you sound like an SDLP supporter to me.
Your compassion for victims is about as deep as a puddle hole despite all your talk about seeing people’s humanity
On this site, I have never claimed to be anything other than damaged goods.
A product of a failed society within a failed state.
No, international law
Wha….nah don’t bother, I couldn’t be arsed.
Stormont is not recognised in international law, only as a devolved region of the UK
Typical SDLP thinking Dominic. Not knowing ones arse from ones elbow.
Close Stormont tomorrow and I doubt anyone would notice or give a damn.
GOD ALONE KNOWS
Ole Tricky Dick had a ski-run nose
Like those in Aspen, Co, I suppose
Apropos Arlene’s sron
Mo bhron agus ochone
Ashpen,Co, like ? God alone knows.
Great stuff jude
There can be no resemblance, Richard Nixon was, despite other flaws, a good US President, he was committed to withdrawl from French indo china, or, Vietnam, Arlene, in the alternative, is hugely flawed, the disingenuous approach to RHI is not the only matter for which she has shown ineptitude, in the other, albeit not the minister, she can frack off.
I should maintain that, the BBC policy in pursuing this article is questionable but, what of those civil servants who, despite devolution, still appear to govern the six counties? Shall we, whom already fund their lavish lifestyles, continue to do so or, will they, as would be the case in the private sector, for incompetence (and perhaps worse) be left to pay them continuously?
Time to change the whole system.
Anything set up must be under the inquiries act. Outside of that legislation there can be no guarantee to full disclosure and therefore no guarantee of getting to the truth.
We’ll all be looking very closely for the fudge so SF had better tread carefully and deliver. They need a ‘win’ after their antics on Monday.
SF should push for an election if the DUP refuse to set up a meaningful inquest. The DUP have most to lose from a new election to a reduced assembly. They got a lot of mlas elected in the final rounds of counts and will be looking at significant seat losses.
The DUP and Sinn Fein would gain most from the reduced seats Cal, it favours larger and more organised parties.
If the UUP were more positive then they could replace the DUP, but if they both stand on the same anti Sinn Fein agenda the DUP will always win that one.
Sinn Fein have asked for a judge led investigation, nothing to stop an amendment being tagged on that it should be under the inquiries act which I would agree with and it would make it more of a multi party motion than an attack from nationalism on unionism which the DUP will also want to make it look like.
It would therefore be best if a unionist party put this amendment in.
Will the combined parties be able to pull together behind Sinn Fein to do this though, who are the only party that matters as was proven on Monday.
Without Sinn Fein backing, the other parties are just a bunch of headless chickens.
‘Her records do not go back this far’ – this was said in relation to the second email, which was sent months after the first.
So if Dodgy Doddsy was able to produce the first email, there should have been no problem with producing the second!
Or maybe they have a ‘convenient’ records system, which will only show up anything which suits the particular occasion.
But your comparison of Tricky Dicky with our Miss Piggy is very unfair to the former!
Sherdy
Miss Piggy? Nice.
Clearly Jude’s recent appeal for no insulting comments went right over your head!
“Because my email records and I’ll bet yours too go back far, far further than 2013”
My emails go back to the year 2005, 11 years ago, which I saved in “Drafts”. They mostly consist of old School projects and emails with school friends back when msn messenger was the hottest thing on the block, long before Facebook or Twitter was a billion dollar idea in someone’s head.
Was a 15 year old yob from West Belfast (aka Me) a better record keeper than our First Minister? Again, this RHI scheme exposes Arlene is either extremely incompetent or, allegedly, extremely corrupt. Either way, she should go. I’m not saying that, btw, because she’s a Unionist, I’m saying it because she’s a bull in a china shop, as is the DUP generally. If this was Martin McGuinness I’d be demanding exactly the same thing.
Both the UUP and SDLP Leaders warned Arlene that the Christmas break wont save her. Sinn Fein is even threatening to bring down Stormont if she doesn’t step aside.
Personally, I think Arlene is definitely gone and gone for good, even if she does step down initially for just 6 months. In one poll 64% of Unionists agreed she should step down or resign. 100% of Nationalists, yes 100%, agree Arlene should step down or resign in the same poll.
Arlene only has her own arrogance to blame for her down fall…..
looks like nolan and the opposition are the only ones doing anything,mike now calling for the speaker to stand down.pbf calling for an electon,jim allister upsetting the applecart.maybe closing it down for a generation would be the best bet,
Billy is the only Irish Republican I know who wants direct rule. And a border. And who calls PBP PBF.
you on the other hand would rather do their ruling for them,drawing the 30 pieces of silver.
I’m not sure that billy ever said he was a republican….Irish or otherwise at any time ,ceannaire. I wouldn’t ever take anything for granted on here. To me , billy appears to have his own unique views about the world in general, his politics have never really been discussed, ever.
good spotting pk.lol..your right about taking things for granted,the mla,s should take note.
,
PK, Billy says he rejects British rule, the PSNI (who Billy says upholds British rule – he may have a point) and keeps referring to others who take their 30 pieces of silver in relation to other Republicans.
I can only trust that this is how he really thinks. If it is then he is a strange type of non-Irish Republican.
I used Republican because I’m sure he would feel I was mocking him calling him a Nationalist.
His politics haven’t been discussed not because of a want of trying – he just won’t answer the questions asked.
We can only work with what we have, PK.
In my opinion, Ceannaire, billy has given up on not only the failed northern state but in Ireland overall.
I not only understand him, but to be honest I don’t really blame him.
I also reject British rule and have come to now also reject any potential southern rule – so border polls for me are pointless at present.
The only difference between billy and myself is that I have not yet given up on Sinn Fein rebuilding a new Ireland that all of our people can feel part off. Unbelievably, there is not one single other viable party which has that agenda. That in itself speaks volumes.
If Sinn Fein turn out to be no better than the rest, then I too will give up on Ireland and will be pretty much with billy. They are our last chance in my eyes.
Another difference I suppose would be that I feel the argument with Britain is over. The GFA was sufficient, it was the south who failed us yet again and I for one will never forget that.
Jessica, you and David McNarry seem to be Polar Opposites. There is many Republicans and Unionists bemoaning betrayal, hopelessness and talk as if its “All Over”. Both cant be right…..
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/opinion/adams-kenny-and-martin-want-an-all-ireland-state-in-the-eu-1-7736410
The truth is there’s a lot more going on behind the scenes in the South than we think. To constantly talk of people in the South not wanting Irish Unity when poll after poll after poll in the South shows a majority (in some cases a vast majority) wanting Irish Unity is just ridiculous. Even during the troubles many polls showed a majority wanted Irish Unity.
Of course they want a smooth transition to Irish Unity, that’s not surprising, even SF and the IRA realized that was the best way and that takes time.
I am well aware that everything is moving towards a united Ireland Ryan. That is inevitable.
Enda Kenny and Michael Martin care only about votes.
They have in my eyes destroyed Ireland and I no longer give a shit about a united Ireland and want no part of their Ireland. It will be up to the people in the south to support them or reject them, I choose to reject them.
The south in their usual dubious way have been siding with britain and unionism on everything, even the president snubbed nationalism before risking offending unionism.
What they and perhaps even Sinn Fein have not contended for, and what you have yet to realise Ryan is the element of northern nationalism that wants nothing to do with a corrupt southern state who has treated nationalism with such contempt and who will reject a united Ireland in favour of a new Ireland.
This is still our country, states are but caretakers.
Jessica, I understand it can be hurtful to be snubbed by what you see as some of your fellow countrymen but your looking at all this in the wrong way. Its politics, its not personal. The truth is the current Irish President, Higgins, was playing politics. He definitely did snub Nationalism in order to appease Unionism but that doesn’t mean to say every person who would sit as Irish President would do the same. That’s Higgins shame and History will record it as such. I expected better from Higgins when he won the election but I think he’s been a pretty bad President.
By saying stuff like “I reject them”, that sounds a lot like “Ulster Nationalism” or “Ulster Independence” sentiments to me Jessica. The truth is the vast majority of republicans never wanted to “join” with the South, to basically exchange the fat cats in Westminster for the fat cats in the Dail. That was never what it was all about. Even Gerry Adams said that when he was ambushed by them on RTE’s the Late Late Show. It was about creating a better and new Ireland, removing British and Irish corruption.
Politics is a rotten business Jessica, its not for the faint hearted, I know you already know that. Its full of betrayal, corruption, back room dealing, etc. But don’t take things too personal, don’t play into the hands of your political enemies and focus on the political objective. Alexander the Great always focused on the end objective and never deviated from his path, no matter what. We should learn from him. We’re not looking for hugs and kisses from our countrymen in the South, just Irish Unity.
The clear out of the South can only happen after Irish Unity. Maybe that’s why some Fat Cats in the South fear it?…..
I am very focussed on the objective Ryan.
These scumbags need to be put in their place.
They have destroyed my country and left a legacy of debt you could not believe.
It wont be long before they will be desperate for unification just to get another bail out from the EU, who will also soon be encouraging unification quite outspokenly over the incompetency shown by the arseholes running the country currently.
The consequences of their actions Ryan, will become clearer over 2017.
And of that (bailout) doesn’t happen they will have no choice but to seriously consider leaving the EU and believe it or not, re-joining the UK.
If you think the DUP pissed people off, wait until the public get their heads around what Fianna Gael have done.
Well…that’s partly what I meant about taking things for granted…
Fair play to the opposition in all this. First time the assembly has faced this level of scrutiny in a long time and it can only be a good thing.
If a full judge led inquiry under the inquiry acts doesn’t happen, then SF should pull the plug and trigger a election.
As for Arlene Foster standing down in the interim period, as long as there is a full blooded inquiry I don’t think it’s necessary. She can get on with other government business until the results of the inquiry are known. Depending on the results she can then reflect on her position.
“She can get on with other government business until the results of the inquiry are known.”
I’m confused Scott, I thought Mrs Foster’s position was a joint venture with Martin McGuinness.
Your quote above indicates she can act unilaterally.
Please enlighten me.
Your completely right Jim, it’s a joint ministry.
Perhaps I didn’t word it right but what I mean is assuming there is a proper independent judge led inquiry under the inquiries act taking place then I’m happy enough for the first minister to remain in her position until that inquiry is over and the results of such inquiry have been presented.
Her stepping aside in the interim is only the side show. The inquiry is the main event and the most important thing that needs to happen right now.
When I say she can get on with goverment business I mean of course in conjunction with SF there partners in government. I’m am well aware that it’s a symbiotic relationship between the two parties.
i think Arlene acting unilaterally the other day was the result of her misreading of her position as Joint Minister .It’s what everyone who walked out on her and the Speaker thought too. I believe that if the scheme is to be investigated , the Minister who was in chatge of setting the bloody thing up(Arlene) should be suspended while it is investigated.It’s the least i would expect in an investigation.
But what would suspending her in the meantime achieve PK? An immediate suspension just appears to me as more of an attempt to land a political blow than to really get the truth.
Don’t get me wrong if an inquiry finds she is either grossly negligent or corrupt (which my hunch is it will) I want her head on a pike, but until there’s result to such inquiry I see no need for it immediately.
I don’t think Martin could take up position as DFM with her as FM even if he wanted to Scott.
There have been too many lies and u-turns already in the public domain. If she doesn’t step aside then the office of OFMDFM must not be in operation.
Sinn Fein have not instructed her to do so as yet, out of respect, but if he refuses in the new year, they will have no choice or they will lose more support over this than the DUP will.
i see no need for it immediately….sf playing catchup with the opposition have put their foot in it saying she steps aside or an election,wonder how this will play out or is another face saving exercise on the cards.
Jessica, Martins already in the position of DFM. It’s not a matter of whether he will take up his position as DFM/Joint first minister it’s a matter of whether or not he will consider this serious enough to resign his position and trigger the automatic resignation of Arlene, which all leads us to another election. That’s the nature of the joint ministry if one goes they both go whether the other side likes it or not.
SF can’t tell the DUP or Arlene Foster to do anything the only weapon they have in there tool box is the threat of a resignation that triggers the election.
This seems to be what they are angling to do should there be no inquiry put forward in the new year which has teeth.
I for one agree with them on this one.
It must be said though billy is quite right they seemed to be preparing a softly softly approach until the opposition began there full frontal attack and seemed to have public opinion behind them.
SF do seem to be playing catch up and probably are only slowly toughening up there stance on this so not to be seen to be giving the DUP a easy ride compared to the opposition. Since the start of this government there has appeared to be a kind of non aggression pact between the DUP and SF, with both parties reluctant to stick the boot into each other. Probably partly to due to the notion of collective responsibility which is a parliamentary convention and partly due to the fact that both parties know that at the next election they will be judged on the success of there combined goverment and they don’t wish to appear dysfunctional.
All in all though hats off to the opposition in my opinion. It’s them and the BBC who are apply the pressure.
That does seem to be the case Scott.
Their keeping the pressure up is allowing/forcing Sinn Fein to take a tougher stance.
Makes you think, if it wasn’t for the DUP and perhaps a tweaking of the vetoes which can be abused, drop the declaration of unionist/nationalist and could there be something in this format for government?
Wonder would it work in the Dail instead of the new politics which hasn’t really changed much.
Following through on the Nixon analogy,what comparative role in the Watergate saga would you ascribe to your party,Jude?At the minute,Sinn Fein seem to be trying to ride two horses!Maybe they’re just too comfortable with the trappings of Stormont!!
MY party, Argie? Have you OKed things with GA regarding this coup d’etat – or coup de party? I expect your analysis of the SF position is spot on – riding two horses, comfortable with the trappings of Stormont and …I was going to say ‘Westminster’, but I must have been thinking of someone else…
A rather feeble and evasive response,Jude.Are you really telling us that you’re not a loyal ,paid up member of Sinn Fein?The old phrase “if it walks like a duck,quacks like a duck—-” seems appropriate.Would you not agree that Sinn Fein’s position on the the Scandal is at the very least,ambiguous?
ofmdfm,must also be reminded in the new year that the charter,dee stitt,saga hasnt went away either and needs sorted,the opposition along with jim allisters legal brain has to go through this forensically and work to a plan,their of to a good start only months after arlene called them an irrelevance,getting the speaker to resign next,then bring the justice minister into it would be a starter on the first day back.
You would make a much better speaker billy 🙂
ide rather take the minister for immigration and mayhem portfolio,if you would nominate me.
Why not billy
We could have a minister for slagging and insulting remarks
A minister for dodgy scams and fraud
A minister for protests and contentious marches
A minister for adultery, toy boys and getting the leg over
A minister for double jobbing and expenses
A minister for silly ideas and messing about
and don’t forget the all important minister for UDA slush funds
If I were SF I know what I would be doing.
#1 priority = Make sure the independent investigation happens.
Collapsing Stormont and going to election BEFORE the investigation concludes – as PBP bizarrely want – would be the dictionary definition of insanity and one of the key reasons why SF could not back the SDLP motion the other day. Had they backed it then they would’ve been painted themselves into a corner whereby the would’ve been forced to bring down Stormont before the investigation when Arlene basically said “Nope” to standing aside.
The motion was good, especially considering the allegations of cleansing the audit trail but the timing could’ve forced SF to play their cards too early.
Even if Arlene refuses to step aside in the nw year Stormont must not be collapsed until after the investigation is concluded. Her being there or not is completely irrelevant, the damage has been done and it’s just a matter of getting an idea of just how much damage has been done.
Imagine the parties going to the polls armed with a report, independently verified, which shows the DUP were up to their eyeballs in it. Add ‘Cash for Ash’ to the Charter NI, SIF, Redsky scandals and the non-DUP electorate can only draw one conclusion: that Peter Robinson was correct. Correct when he said that they have the “strategic vision of lemmings” as they bumble from disaster to disaster. If Mike Nezbitt plays his cards right and picks a fight with SF in the new year to show the electorate he can SF bash too then he will likely be the leader of unionism after the election.
Then we can get stuff done around here with. hopefully, a more progressive party.
In the meantime, SG must not take a lead role in the calls for the speaker to be replaced. If they push it then it wrongly becomes a green v. orange issue so they should do what they are doing and take the passenger seat, allowing the UUP to take the lead on this one and chime in when it counts.
While I am here: the RHI scheme is estimated to cost £1.2b over 20 years which includes the £400m overspend.
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-38344185
This will be distributed between admin, 1946 applicants and the fuel suppliers.
Arlene will have this £1.2b sword of Damocles dangling over her head for Christmas plus Bell and Newton committed political harakari by throwing themselves under a bus (still not sure how Arlene convince a seasoned politician to do what the speaker did the other day!) as an added bonus. Let’s just buy loads of popcorn for 2017 and relax.
Happy Christmas everyone!
The SDLP could have consulted with Sinn Fein and worked together rather than rush to the UUP and try to score points which will amount to nothing, Sinn Fein would have pointed out the errors in their thinking and through coordinating together could have got it right first time and we wouldn’t be waiting until the new year for the motion to hold an investigation and what format that should take.
Political immaturity and naivety, even desperation from the SDLP, in particular young Colum who even with his Gerryesqe whiskers is still a boy and acting like one.
I agree that Sinn Fein need to be more cautious in their approach as the DUP are desperate for it to turn in to an orange / green issue.
Even now, amendments will be required so I would hope this will have cross party backing in January so it is based on the enquiries act which will mean the audit trail will not be so easily covered up. It would be preferable if a unionist party made this amendment for that reason.
If Nesbit’s UUP cant replace the DUP now, they may as well give it up.
In replacing them, it will be Sinn Fein he will have to work with so not sure if bashing would be the right way to go about it. It would suggest more of the same and in which case unionism would be safer with the DUP. The UUP will never out DUP the DUP.
Not even considering the potential curveballs from Trump on St Patrick’s in the White House.
On the money completely, Morpheus. SF must not allow Arlene to drag this down to a green v orange level. That would provide the perfect smokescreen for the DUP. The unionist electorate will only punish Arlene if Nesbitt does the kicking.