A nationalist 1st minister for NI?

[Cafog]

So NI looks set to have a Nationalist First Minister for the first time in it's 101 year history if the DUP agree take their seats. And Alliance have made huge gains. A disappointing election for the DUP but I'm not sure what they expected after the shambles of their recent leadership contests, and engineering a Brexit deal that they absolutely cannot agree with.

Anyone any thoughts? I'm from a broadly nationalist background, but never really engaged with politics here until Brexit. DH has never voted until now!

PS if I've missed a thread about this already please let me know.

I preface my comments by saying I wish the island of Ireland one day to be one country.

It seems to me that after being sold down the river by Boris Johnson in the Brexit deal, the Unionist voice is divided as to the response, which has cost the DUP seats. Then as you note there has been the leadership fiasco.

The possibility of Sinn Fein being the largest party, especially after the number of TDs elected to the Dail, may have led some nationalists to switch to them instead of SDLP or other alternatives.

I hope the NI Assembly can meet and an Executive be formed, but am not hopeful. The cost of living crisis and health service are pressing issues needing a functioning executive.

I’m a very moderate unionist, but only while the union still works for us (NHS etc).

I’m glad the DUP are disappointed. I’m sick to death of hearing about the potential for a border poll. If remaining in the union is so obviously beneficial for the people of NI, then the DUP should have no fear of a border poll. In fact, they should welcome one as a chance to show how much the people want to remain as part of the U.K. and stop the reunification question until the next generation.

I would love to see an Executive formed. Maybe Boris and Co have something up their sleeves to appease Jeffrey but I doubt it. If the Brexit problem had a solution it would have been sorted long ago!

I think the DUP harped on so much about keeping a Nationalist First Minister out that the swung the SLDP voters to vote SF! I too would love see the island as one country, and even of this executive doesn't sit or doesn't work, it's definitely a symbolic day.

I’m usually a SDLP supporter, but I gave my first preference vote to Alliance, as I was keen for them to rock the boat with the DUP and increase the vote share.

I did hesitantly give SDLP my 2nd preference although I prefer the local Sinn Fein candidate as she is highly supportive of abortion rights. The SDLP candidate is shocking on this count.

I did contemplate giving my 1st preference to SF to try and ensure a nationalist first minister, but I was worried that it would mean the DUP would refuse to form an executive.

Overall though, I’m delighted with the result, if just to fuck off the DUP who have shot themselves in the foot with their backwards bullshit.

The DUP have done themselves no favours at all with their prehistoric views and living in the past. Their favourite wordS are NO NO NO. I live in Ireland and can see that people want change and Sammy Wilson got booed by his old supporters at an outside rally a few weeks ago. Young people do not agree with their policies about same sex marriage, abortion etc. They have to accept that there will be an all Ireland Referendum fairly soon in the future and hopefully there will be an 32 Ireland but everyone has to be taken into account so we can all move forward to a new and exciting all inclusive Ireland and live all the drama and crap behind. Anytime I see a DUP politician they all have that stern bitter look on their face. Time for young new politicians from all sides with new ideas and not the past.

Ain't democracy wonderful ?

As long as it's the right sort, of course.