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Original poster

N Ireland mumsnetters. How on earth do we change the situation?

187 replies

isabellerossignol · 08/12/2019 20:57

With the election coming up, this has been really playing on my mind. We need a functioning health service. How do we get one? I don't vote DUP or Sinn Fein, but nearly everyone else in my constituency seems to and I feel so powerless.

I feel pretty horrified by the education situation too, but the health service is on a whole other level, it is properly scary.

I don't want to be in politics myself, I am not robust enough for that, but I want someone to step up and say 'enough is enough' and yet I don't even seem to have anyone to vote for who is willing to do that. I have been reading all the election literature through my door and there is very little mention of the health service by any of the parties, how can they be ignoring such a huge issue?

OP posts:
DioneTheDiabolist · 10/12/2019 19:37

Here leads, what does it say about the state of our politics that the MN favourite is Jim Allister?Crown Sad
Xmas GrinXmas GrinXmas Grin

TulipsInAJug · 10/12/2019 20:28

Xmas Hmm Xmas Grin

maidenover · 10/12/2019 21:12

‘Burned’ is on my to be read list and I was thinking out getting it for my FIL for Christmas, although I’m not sure our blood pressure can take it!

Original poster
isabellerossignol · 10/12/2019 23:30

Burned is about £5 on kindle so I just bought it ten minutes ago. Am going to start reading it right now.

Did anyone else notice at the time of the enquiry that all the DUP spads were called Timothy and Jonathan? Just one after another. It's going to be hard to know who's who Grin

OP posts:
DioneTheDiabolist · 11/12/2019 00:13

I'll give it a miss. It would only tip me over the edge. I caught some of the debate tonight.

FlaviaAlbia · 12/12/2019 09:57

Well, I've voted. My polling station was pretty empty when I was there.

Newschapter · 12/12/2019 10:44

I usually go after work, there will be a Sinn Fēin and a DUP rep outside mine, as always, I will speak to both, as always, and then vote for someone entirely different, as always Grin

BelfastSmile · 12/12/2019 10:50

My polling station was also deserted, although I don't normally go mid-morning, so maybe it's always like that at that time.

There's usually a DUP rep standing outside, but not today. Also the shortest ballot paper I've ever seen - only 3 candidates!

Newschapter · 12/12/2019 11:08

@BelfastSmile only three in East and North Belfast - not s lot to choose from. I'm impressed that Alliance have candidates in all areas this year - we haven't had one in a while in my area.

I've six in my area, SDLP, SF, Alliance, DUP, UUP and a Unionist independent who wants us to go back to the dark ages. Hmm

I know the candidates well through my job and although SF and SDLP are nice people who work hard on the ground in their community, I won't be voting for them.

I had none of them at my door, but they all sent me a text message... Hmm

FloatOn · 12/12/2019 11:08

Just chiming in to the Jim Allister appreciation, I met a few local politicians at the opening of a construction project I was part of, it was a while ago and Iris was there and JA, Iris was as horrible and nasty as you expect "do you know who I am" etc, and used her speech to lobby for a local developer, while JA spoke to all involved in a courteous manner and used his speech time to congratulate all involved.

As previous posters have said its a pity his policies are so crazy because as a person he seems to be more decent than the rest of them put together.

DioneTheDiabolist · 12/12/2019 11:11

Poor Iris. I think of her every now and then and worry.Crown Sad Has anyone heard anything about her recently or has Peter locked her in the attic?

dramalamma · 12/12/2019 11:20

I'm in a SF safe seat so my vote won't make any difference (still trotting off to the polling booth this evening tho!) but I've got to hold on to the hope that enough younger people will eventually see the light and not be sheep and vote how their parents did.m and that eventually we'll outnumber the older voters who mostly (not all) have voted one way all their life on principle and will never change. I know several people who would be amazing in politics but wouldn't touch it with a stick because they're never going to get anywhere - but if enough people tried they just might. Having said that I'm not willing to get involved so I can see why they wouldn't want to. Rock, hard place and merry fecking Christmas to you too! 🍻

implantsandaDyson · 12/12/2019 11:21

My polling station was busy - much busier than usual. I vote at the same time every election (right after school drop off time). I'm in a very safe DUP seat. The only two parties that called to our door were Alliance and UKIP.

TulipsInAJug · 12/12/2019 12:21

For some not-so-light relief...

Newschapter · 12/12/2019 12:40

@TulipsInAJug that just puts the thoughts across perfectly.

I am fed up of what these politicians is important and what we, as the voting public think is actually important.

I don't hate gays, live and let live, why shouldn't a person marry someone they love. How do I have more rights to marry than my neighbour who has been with her partner longer than I've been with my husband?

I don't disagree with abortion, I genuinely do not believe it would be used as a contraceptive, only a man would think like this....

I am sick to the back teeth of the MLAs getting their wages and meanwhile nurses are on their knees for pennies.

Houses where two adults work and yet some people still have to rely on food banks. What is happening to the world? It's so wrong, it breaks my heart to see the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer.

I hate politics. I hate the way the tribalism skills behind 'noble' issues.

Religion and politics should NOT mix.

In a recent July Twelfth parade we witnessed an elected representative walking down the street, leading a band, with a Bible under his arm. The week before that he had been thrown out of his family home for sleeping with a fellow party member. And THESE are the kind of people we have representing us in Government.

We're all fucking screwed.

Newschapter · 12/12/2019 12:42

Politicians think is important

And tribalism skulks Hmm

I really should learn to proofread Wink

Original poster
isabellerossignol · 12/12/2019 16:01

I'm going to vote after work.

I didn't have a single person campaigning in person where I live, and only the DUP and Alliance even bothered to put a leaflet through the door. UUP, SF and SDLP all have candidates and didn't even bother their backsides. Although in fairness it would be a very brave SF candidate who would campaign in person where I live as sad to say they would probably be risking their safety.

OP posts:
IWorkAtTheCheesecakeFactory · 12/12/2019 17:07

I went at lunch. I usually go at night around 9ish. It didn’t seem any quieter or busier today at lunch than previous years at 9ish.

Walking in- ignored by the two candidates (one SF- the other I have no idea who it was- possibly not a candidate) I had Ds10 with me. Walking out- SF candidate quips “did the both of you vote? Hahaha” Hmm

Newschapter · 12/12/2019 17:38

Done!

One more for Alliance (two because I think Dh voted same)

Newschapter · 12/12/2019 17:39

Also, was dead. Two in front of us and the place was empty when we were done.

The staff said very few turned out to vote so far

IWorkAtTheCheesecakeFactory · 12/12/2019 17:58

Oh that’s disappointing newschapter! Hopefully everyone is just at work and will be along in the next few hours.

powershowerforanhour · 12/12/2019 18:24

Ending up voting for the SDLP candidate to help her get her deposit back and add to the overall vote share. Although unionist by upbringing and inclination I like most of the SDLP's principles and it would be great if they could get competitive again. I know nothing about her-other than that she's a young university student. More power to her for giving it a go.
I probably should have voted Alliance as they were likely to get closest to Dolly Mixtures and I do like them but he's safe here anyway.

peridito · 12/12/2019 18:29

I wish I could make an intelligent comment ,but I can't .I'm v ignorant ( you will not be surprised to hear ) of politics in NI and it's been an eye opener reading this thread .

I thought we ( England residents ) had it bad as far as finding it tricky who to vote for and feeling cynical about MPs .But it all pales into insignificance when compared to the situation you guys are in .

motherofdoodles · 12/12/2019 18:39

Really busy at our polling station. I'm usually an SDLP voter and changed tactically this time to vote Alliance. Desperately hoping to get parties that will actually GO TO Stormont and represent us. My God we need this, Northern Ireland is on its knees. I will be devastated if we are back to the same old status quo after this election.

powershowerforanhour · 12/12/2019 19:02

Noticed BBC news story about a suspect device found at a polling station in Scotland. Surely that's our thing?

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