
Garvan Walshe: Sinn Fein say they want to reassure Unionists. Good luck with that.
As long as their activists call them “colonialists” and candidates glorify the IRA, the idea is as convincing as a Hannukah greeting from Jeremy Corbyn.
As long as their activists call them “colonialists” and candidates glorify the IRA, the idea is as convincing as a Hannukah greeting from Jeremy Corbyn.
Their negotiating stance is often very aggressive and unyielding. They will seek to cause maximum damage at a critical time.
Of course the result is a bad one. But we encourage the party to co-govern in Northern Ireland, so can scarcely object if now does so too in the Irish Republic.
An extremist party is gaining support – from those wishing to protest housing shortages and hospital overcrowding.
It really is something when a significant part of the EU leadership joins the list of agnostics. No wonder there is nervousness in Dublin.
The Taoiseach was speaking ahead of today’s talks with Theresa May and Northern Irish political leaders.
Under international law, it can only be a temporary arrangement – and this must be put in explicit, legally binding, terms.
Also: Welsh Tory leadership hopefuls would put pacts with other parties to the membership; unionists turn on Robinson over united Ireland comments; and more.
“Two years later no-one knows what they want, even the Tory party. Theresa May says one thing and Boris Johnson says another.”
Also: DUP maintain a tough line on Brexit as Sinn Fein try to woo unionists with Senate appointment; and SNP have to delay devolution again.
Dublin likes to cite the Belfast Agreement, and we certainly all need what it exemplified – that’s to say, a good old-fashioned face-saving fudge.
Also: Veteran Welsh Labour nationalist floats party split over Brexit; rival parties joined DUP to push for no back-dating of donor transparency in Ulster; and more.
Calls to move customs and immigration checks to the Irish Sea prioritise nationalist sentiment over Ulster’s real economic and constitutional position.
Also: SNP split on path forward as Salmond plots return; Welsh Assembly to exclude monoglot English-speakers from posts; Irish leader opposed Ulster poll.
If people vote for the pork, that’s what we’re all getting, even those of us who preferred beef or vegetables.