Habemus Stormont!

[Diable Rouge]

https://twitter.com/BBCJayneMcC/status/1215390161451864065

[Diable Rouge]

https://twitter.com/DarranMarshall/status/1215393927148318727

[Nefertiti2]

https://twitter.com/APHClarkson/status/1215913791659089920?s=20https://twitter.com/APHClarkson/status/1215913791659089920?s=20

[Duncan Gardner]

English readers and voters don't give a flying fcuk. They're more concerned with the extended dress rehearsal for the Queen's death.

Although there is lots to think about and smile at. NI's pretend parliament now has a 'government' of 84 members with only 6 in the opposition. Of whom 3 are maverick Unionists, along with 2 Greens and a PBP Socialist...

[E10 Rifle]

People in the Republic are always, and have always been, way more interested in NI affairs than people in Britain, who have repeatedly demonstrated in recent years that they don't give a flying fuck.

[Duncan Gardner]

People in the Republic are always, and have always been, way more interested in NI affairs than people in Britain

Agreed up to a point- although if that bar was any lower it would be underground

[Sits]

English readers and voters don't give a flying fcuk. They're more concerned with the extended dress rehearsal for the Queen's death.

Although there is lots to think about and smile at. NI's pretend parliament now has a 'government' of 84 members with only 6 in the opposition. Of whom 3 are maverick Unionists, along with 2 Greens and a PBP Socialist...

I am actually interested, I just don't feel qualified to make valuable comment.

[Duncan Gardner]

Sits- rest assured I welcome comment from any quarter. NI's particular problems are important, and not just to locals and nostalgic exiles like me. But they aren't so complex that anyone need be scared off.

Adding to my point above, the government/ opposition balance is so skewed that it might make more sense with all 90 of them involved in the 'executive'. Then individuals can vote on each issue as it comes up.

[Sits]

Thanks. To my layperson’s eyes it actually strikes me as pretty democratic, compared to England/Oz/US. I guess there will be a lot of stalemates, but at least they’re there again, if they can stay civil with each other. Is Arlene Foster still in the picture? That would be challenging.

[Duncan Gardner]

Arlene's still in nominal joint charge alongside Michelle O'Neill (the woman who talks so fast no-one outside Co Tyrone can understand her). The inquiry report following the Renewable Heat Initiative scandal* has been delayed longer than expected, it now looks like she'll survive with some junior stooge(s) taking the blame.

* in short, individuals and businesses could get an unlimited payment for wasting energy. There are suggestions that Foster was not merely incompetent but personally corrupt. That's even before we look at recent allegations of an affair with her Sinn Fein supporting personal protection copper

ps as I mentioned in passing on the Dublin General Election thread, despite NI being a basket-case politically, economically, socially and who knows how else, it does have a few democratic structures which put Dail Eireann, Westminster and Birmingham City Council inter alia to shame

[Sits]

recent allegations of an affair with her Sinn Fein supporting personal protection copper

WTAF?

[Snake Plissken]

Definitely allegations. Definitely. And not told to someone I know by someone that they know who works somewhere in NI.

[Diable Rouge]

WTAF?

I thought the allegation involved a chauffeur?

[Duncan Gardner]

Snake: Indeed. There are good reasons why politicians and activists should go out with each other. Spares the rest of you having to, showbiz for ugly people etc

ps the chauffeur and copper are the same person- who says NI plc can't effect cost savings? Arlene's husband is also a serving police officer

[Diable Rouge]

The former NI Deputy First Minister and SDLP leader, Seamus Mallon, has died.

[elguapo4]

He did a lot of good work, sticking his nose into the Abortion referendum wasn't one of them, R.I.P nonetheless.

[Duncan Gardner]

Aye. He had a tough gig. I would forgive the Abortion comments.

Met him briefly back in 1985 at Iveagh House (Foreign Ministry). I was taking my mate (a new staffer) for pub lunch. Mallon was sorting a new passport for his daughter and rather pulling rank. I suggested going to the Belfast office would be quicker