Pimpernal
Forum Regular
A left-wing agenda within a right-wing framework...
Posts: 2,873 
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Post by Pimpernal on Feb 15, 2013 13:00:49 GMT
this slow death has been over a decade in the making now...
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Post by greatkingrat on Feb 15, 2013 13:09:30 GMT
Don't see the logic behind a single unionist candidate considering they have no chance of winning anyway.
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Post by iainbhx on Feb 15, 2013 13:39:52 GMT
Don't see the logic behind a single unionist candidate considering they have no chance of winning anyway. It's so that the DUP and UUP can merge more easily eventually, something which is probably even closer to happening after this morning. |
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Post by iainbhx on Feb 15, 2013 13:41:53 GMT
I wonder what McCallister, McCrea and other moderate unionists will do now? Will they join Alliance, set up a new unionist party, stand as independents like Lady Sylvia, or David McClarty in East Londonderry, or just give up politics? I have no doubt that we are seeing the slow death of the UUP. Basil's gone as well now. There will be a new party, they will probably come to some sort of deal with Alliance. Or, this being the piece of Ireland that passeth all understanding, they won't and will dilute the moderate vote even further ensuring the domination of the nutters. |
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Post by East Anglian Lefty on Feb 15, 2013 17:31:08 GMT
Don't see the logic behind a single unionist candidate considering they have no chance of winning anyway. You might say much the same thing about the continued existence of the UUP. |
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Sibboleth
Labour
'Sit on my finger, sing in my ear, O littleblood.'
Posts: 16,036
Member is Online
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Post by Sibboleth on Feb 15, 2013 17:53:37 GMT
At least the Second Coming of the UPNI has a certain logic to it. Difficult to see one behind the UUP these days.
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Post by markgoodair on Feb 15, 2013 17:55:48 GMT
Are the TUV likely to stand?
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Post by timrollpickering on Feb 15, 2013 18:08:44 GMT
What are the deadlines a) for nominations; and b) to register a new Unionist party in time to get the label on the ballot paper?
Alliance have selected Eric Bullick, a former headteacher from Omagh.
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Post by johnloony on Feb 15, 2013 19:23:42 GMT
What are the deadlines a) for nominations; ... ? Neck stwenzday |
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Dan
Animal Welfare Party
Believes we need more localism in our politics
Posts: 813
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Post by Dan on Feb 19, 2013 23:13:11 GMT
Are the TUV likely to stand? (although, in a way, I suppose they'll say "yes"!) |
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Post by Davıd Boothroyd on Feb 20, 2013 9:23:15 GMT
What are the deadlines a) for nominations; ... ? Neck stwenzday Actually Thursday, 4 PM. |
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Post by thirdchill on Feb 20, 2013 11:09:26 GMT
We may be drifting towards a three party system. The DUP, Sinn Fein and the Alliance Party. I can see the unionist parties merging but I cannot see the SDLP agreeing to merge with Sinn Fein. I know Sinn Fein are now committed by peaceful means to a united Ireland (which was always the SDLP position from day one). However Sinn Fein don't take their seats in parliament, and the SDLP do not agree with this. Sinn Fein unilaterally stood aside in Belfast South last time but that was not on the basis of any agreement with the SDLP. The SDLP refuse to stand aside for the reason I just mentioned. |
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Post by erlend on Feb 20, 2013 18:54:39 GMT
What do you do if you wanted something raised in parliament if you have a SF MP, do you just go next door to somebody less mad (albeit marginally in the case of DUP) You got to John McDonnell or Jeremy Corbyn. |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2013 20:04:54 GMT
Seriously though, do you get any form of represnation at all, if you want something raised?
Ive always held the view if the member refuses to turn up the 2nd place candidate should be offered the seat. I dont see why we should deal with these nutters in any way.
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Dan
Animal Welfare Party
Believes we need more localism in our politics
Posts: 813
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Post by Dan on Feb 20, 2013 22:55:21 GMT
Seriously though, do you get any form of represnation at all, if you want something raised? Ive always held the view if the member refuses to turn up the 2nd place candidate should be offered the seat. I dont see why we should deal with these nutters in any way. Ignoring the deeper issues of whether the good people of West Belfast actually want representing at Westminster, it's worth remembering that Sinn Fein maintain offices and staff in parliament, and so are able to deal with casework that is referred to them by their constituents. I suspect that within any constituency in the UK, the number of times an MP has specifically raised something in the House of Commons because a constituent has asked them to is statistically very small. |
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Post by johnloony on Feb 21, 2013 4:56:52 GMT
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2013 12:21:51 GMT
If voters are clear that SF wont take their seat then of course they vote for them on that basis. How many issues in NI need raising to Westminister anyway ?
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Post by Davıd Boothroyd on Feb 21, 2013 12:23:17 GMT
On local authorities, if the elected candidate does not sign their formal acceptance of the seat within 90 days, their seat is vacated.
In the late 1980s the Thatcher government passed a law to add a declaration abhorring terrorism to the requirements for councillors in Northern Ireland. Sinn Féin councillors all signed it anyway.
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Post by timrollpickering on Feb 21, 2013 14:36:13 GMT
I was not suggesting that the SDLP merge with SF, more that they be superseded by them. Then again, it would not amaze me to see SF drop the abstentionist policy, or see them stop contesting UK elections again leaving the SDLP to be the Republican standard bearer. SAF have constantly defined and redefine Ulster politics for a generation. I seriously doubt they'd do either. Westminster abstentionism is almost the last sacred cow and having slaughtered so many others they need this one to reassure the base; it's also the one most closely related to what geographic unit they want to be part of. And having built up so far in Westminster elections, why abandon all that to another party? What would SF have to gain? A few saved deposits in North Down? |
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john07
Labour & Co-operative
Posts: 15,799
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Post by john07 on Feb 21, 2013 15:32:16 GMT
Seriously, you go to Jeremy Corbyn. Or rather your SF MP's office does on your behalf. You raise an interesting point in suggesting that if for example an MP does not take his seat within 90 days of election the seat is offered to the candidate in second. I was not suggesting that the SDLP merge with SF, more that they be superseded by them. Then again, it would not amaze me to see SF drop the abstentionist policy, or see them stop contesting UK elections again leaving the SDLP to be the Republican standard bearer. SAF have constantly defined and redefine Ulster politics for a generation. Agreed. SF contest elections at Local Authority, Legislative Assembly, and Parliamentary level. They take up seats in the first two but not the last. This is totally inconsistent as the Assembly and Local Authorities were all set up by Westminister and operate under the rules laid down by Westminster. OK if they do not wish to take up the seat then don't stand. This would leave the way for independents of a similar mindset (rather like Frank McGuire) to contest the seats in question. They could also operate a Canadian-style system as used by PQ with another party being set up purely to fight Federal Elections (BQ). Or maybe they could just grow up and stop fighting the war of 1920? |
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