To think a Tory coalition with the DUP is a potentially terrifying prospect?

[AFierceBadRabbit]

Not to mention the irony regarding so many ridiculous claims about corbyn sympathizing with terrorists. (The DUP are chock full of em!)

Who are the DUP, you may ask?

Here you go www.opendemocracy.net/uk/adam-ramsay/so-who-are-dup

The DUP may have always voted with the Conservatives, but that didn't really matter as they could not have brought down the Government.

Now however, they hold the balance of power and can demand things in return for their support.

They are very frightening. And they hold all the aces now.

There may be a budget and confidence agreement (they support the Tories on the budget and confidence motions), and not a coalition in the strict sense, but I don't know how that will work.

It would be great if a no confidence motion was initiated against May, and the more liberal Tories voted with the proposers.

Yes, another election, but is anything worse than the prospect of former terrorist flat earther fundies holding the balance of power in the UK? Really, ten of them decide what we all want, really?

AFAIK changes to abortion law, in any part of the UK, are not in any party's programme at the moment. So let's stop acting as if it were the main point at issue.

A more important issue is whether a 'hard border' between NI and the Republic is reinstated.

Maud not sure what the point of your comment was. If you could explain it better I'd really be interested in what you have to say.

I'm not one to hate on the Catholics just because me being a Protestant says I should. However I don't agree with what the catholic parties want. I've heard good and bad about both sides.

Well the Catholic Church also ban abortions so I'm afraid that argument is a bit senseless.

The Catholic Church has no legal power to ban it. They can just give you penance if you do it. Which makes it slightly different than the DUPs stance on it.

niminy why shouldn't abortion be spoken about? I believe every woman should have access to it for whatever reason and it disgusts me that they can't. If I accidentally fell pregnant and a scan revealed a serious condition (one of my children has a heart condition that I couldn't bear going through again) then why shouldn't I be able to abort? Why should I have to travel to do so?

May is really scraping the barrel with this coalition.

Again, this is not a strong and stable government.

Isn't the point that neither major party in NI is in favour of legalising abortion? Anwyay, it's not going to be an issue between Tories and DUP because the issues are Brexit and NI/Republic border.

May and Foster - the latter will want a seat in the Cabinet. What a joke!

Lasagnabreath of course you can talk about abortion as much as you like.

All I'm saying is it isn't going to be part of the negotiations between the Tories and the DUP because the issues are to do with NI and Brexit.

Foster's ambition + rhino hide scare me. I don't think she/DUP lead by her should be underestimated.

Arlene Foster will only be able to demand a seat a cabinet if it turns out to be a full "coalition".

A looser arrangement and that won't happen I don't think.

I agree with others, Brexit and free movement within the island of Ireland from a trade and employment/economic point of view is paramount. Ironically it is what the Republic also wants, so it could work for all.

The sources of the original article looks very biased.

I am from Northern Ireland and I actually cried. This is the worst possible outcome. DUP will now screw us over in Brexit talks - note last night every single county that borders with ROI did not vote for a DUP MP but they will still think we don't need special status.

Terrified. That's before we even get into the racism, homophobia, anti choice, misogyny, RHI, dinosaurs aren't real, the earth is like 5000 years old, kids should be taught creationism, screw all taigs attitudes that prevail in that party.

There be bonfires and fleg waving tonight in NI!

Oh no

As someone on the radio pointed out, at least with the Tory/LibDem coalition the English, Scottish and Welsh electorate had had the chance to see the LibDem manifesto and they represented many of the votes. That's not the case with the DUP - English voters, who don't have their own devolved parliament unlike NI, Scotland and Wales, have very little understanding of what's coming next. It's so different from last time.

The social/moral issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage will not be discussed in parliament, and I think a fox hunting vote will not now happen. The DUP do have some supporters of loyalist terrorism in the past I am sure, though I do not think that no-one in the opposition will try to make anything of this, as the Tories have never supported the UDA or other loyalist terrorists.

The agreement or understanding I think will simply postpone any further election for a couple of years.

Not sure what my point was either tbh. I'm not a DUP voter but it just stuck in me when their stance on abortions kept being made. Some of my family said they would no longer vote Sinn Fein because they where pro life. Ban was the wrong word but it's clear the Catholic Church view abortion as immoral and very wrong and an unforgivable sin.
The thing is religion, politics and culture are intertwined here. You can't be progressive when that's the case, although Sinn Fein are making small strides on that front.

Fair enough. I wish it was though. I'm ashamed sometimes at how backwards my country is.

Must go and do some work. Forallsaints is right, the arrangement -- NOT a coalition - is inherently unstable and cannot work for long. Also minority governments are always weak and forced to compromise. The Tories are still split on Brexit and it will be hard, perhaps impossible, for May to force through the kind of Brexit she was looking for. There will be another election, undoubtedly, the DUP agreement (which just formalises what was already happening anyway) will simply delay it.

For everyone arguing abortion in the thread the difference between Sinn Fein and DUP is this - both "pro life" but SF support limited reform to laws. Eg allow it for fatal abnormalities, in instances of rape. DUP say tough shite bitches 100% of the time.

Was just coming on to say the same asLila with regards to SF stance on abortion. That party's softening on the issue probably reflects their efforts to appeal to voters on both sides of the border- in the socially conservative NI and the increasingly socially liberal ROI

So did we misunderstand May ? When she warned of a 'coalition of chaos' she meant the one she is creating ?

When she warned of a 'coalition of chaos' she meant the one she is creating ?

No mention of 'strong and stable' in the statement she just gave....

Wow! May you fool!