Yesterday saw the first edition of the BBC’s Sunday Politics since the general election was called. As usual Andrew Neil allowed a brief period during which the lesser regions of the UK were set loose to conduct their own amusing little discussions.
You wouldn’t instinctively think of the DUP’s Gavin Robinson and the SDLP’s Mark Durkan as allies-in-argument. Gavin is young and strongly unionist, Mark is middle-aged and, OK, maybe not strongly nationalist but certainly nationalist (I hope). But yesterday the pair found ground on which they could unite: to wit, bashing Sinn Féin, particularly for their abstentionist policy.
Ever since I can remember, republicans have been electing MPs who then don’t take their seats in the Mother of All Parliaments (not to be confused with MOAB, which is the Mother of All Bombs and belongs to Trump). Is this a sound policy or, as Gavin and Mark argued, a failure to speak up for the interests of our little NE Nest? After all, Bernadette Devlin took her seat ‘way back. Her maiden speech was considered one of the finest ever, as she lambasted Britain for allowing discrimination and gerrymander to flourish in the place across the Irish Sea. And after Bloody Sunday, you’ll remember, Devlin gave up on words and crossed the Commons floor to physically attack Home Secretary Reggie Maudling. You can see her here talking about it shortly afterwards to reporters. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EKx0wOFQP8
However, it’d be fair to say that Bernadette Devlin was an exceptional (and short-lived) member of the House of Commons, and that she is better remembered for her physical assault on Maudling than for the persuasive powers of her maiden speech. It’s also true that the great majority of debates on our NE Nest are sound-conspicuous: that is, you know they’re talking about us because the Commons suddenly becomes an echo chamber, with 90% of MPs suddenly finding other things to do with their time.
Gavin Robinson and Mark Durkan , I’m sure, faithful attend Commons debates. Have they had influence? I think not. There was a sad little cameo on the TV News the other day, where Mark Durkan and Maggie Ritchie were shown acting as tellers for a major vote. Handy help for uncomplicated jobs.
Sinn Féin say they don’t take their seats because of the oath of allegiance to Queen Elizabeth. Frankly, I don’t believe them. They stay out of the debating chamber (but not the Westminster buildings) because they want to locate as much power as possible in Ireland. If Gavin or Mark think they’re going to have an influence on Theresa May’s Brexit plans, they maybe should check if there’s a psychiatrist attendant on Westminister MPs. Even were Sinn Féin to win all eighteen NEN seats, they’d still be an amusing Irish interlude, talking among themselves, as the vast majority of MPs ate ice-cream, wrote letters to their mistresses or attended to the office duties part of their work as MPs. The last of which Sinn Féin do all the time. I hope.
I don’t believe abstention is a matter of principle, but it’s a sensible strategy that highlights the need for Ireland’s self-government. Those NEN MPs who believe in the importance of pressing their bums to the Commons benches are perhaps, as Disraeli said of Gladstone, intoxicated by the exuberance of their own verbosity. That or it makes their bums feel good.
What went through your head, Jude, when you saw the two or three elected ‘nationalist’ members of the SDLP solemnly taking their oath of allegiance to the German Queen? Nausea? Shame? Anger? These people are lickspittles. Craven spineless cowards. Soon they will be coming around the doors asking for our votes. You ask them how they can represent you or nationalism when they have the intention – if elected – or how can they be loyal to the Irish people of the six counties when they have already decided to give their loyalty to the ruler of another country. They have no principles whatsoever and never will have. We are dealing with publicly committed Catholics here so if they take an oath they mean it. The sooner they are consigned to the past, the better.
It’s an easier jaunt than Stormont; NEN MPs wear a better class of suit and tie than MLAs, so they must feel they’re a better class of politico.
It’s a route for failed leaders from all parts of UK – Alex Salmond, Mark Durkan, Tom Elliot. Nigel Dodds was cute enough to avoid that hurdle.
It’s a well worn trail to “Sir-ship” and “Lord – ship” that royalists value, for naracissism and the other job opportunities it can bring.
“Even were Sinn Féin to win all eighteen NEN seats, they’d still be an amusing Irish interlude”
As Nicola Sturgeon and her fifty something Bravehearts have found out after boasting, somewhat prematurely, that they would have the BOP and be controlling the MOP from Edinburgh ..!!
To answer your question Jude, Not! Dail Éireann could do with representation from gach Éireann.
Thankfully today, as I drove up to Derry I was aghast at hearing a Sinn Féin member spell out the influence Sinn Féin have in Westminster, given they attend committee meetings. Now this was news to me but, thanks to Ian og for clearing it up, he corrected the lassie by informing us they hold, effectively, ad hoc meetings with relevant brits.
Thank you Ian og, I near drove off the road at the first information. ,
iomlán na hÉireann
Well the green benches at Westminster must certainly be comfortable, given the number of MP’s seen sleeping during debates. Indeed there was a snap not long ago of the previous SDLP Leader going for a snooze….
Probably dreaming of the good old days when men were men and Stormont seats were easy got.