Tories have done a deal with the DUP. And it only cost 1 billion.

[gluteustothemaximus]

What a bargain.

Hmmm. What shall I do to pass all these shitty laws? I know, I need a majority! Let's have an election so I can get a stronger mandate!

Oh shit, I lost my majority. Don't worry, I can link up with the DUP!

Yay for democracy.

So there IS a magic money tree!

I think TM should have gone for a minority government- the chances are the DUP were most likely to vote with her for most things anyway.

This ^ FGS. Unless the DUP told the Tories that they would deliberately shit the bed in order to get that money... which I don't doubt, actually.

Yep. She's given the DUP the upper hand, in exactly the same way that she's given it to the EU.

NI residents may be taxpayers as someone said above but overall NI is a net cost to the UK already not a net contributor.
There is no current assembly in Stormont as Sinn Fein pulled the last one as Arlene Foster head of the DUP was accused of money wastage/scamming and refused to step down. Its bad when your ethics are being called into question by SF!
And what is it with women party leaders, neither TM or AF are doing anything for promoting fairness in politics, they are imo doing awful damge to promoting equal rights for women when they behave so badly. They epitomise the stereotype of women at the top being harsher/bigger balled/bigger wankers than men.

Given how Northern Ireland generally conduct themselves there might be something to be said for Direct Rule and someone keeping an eye on the balance sheet?

Surely you mean given how Arlene conducted herself in the cash for ash scandal?

Christina except she didn't have to give the DUP the upper hand.

Since the referendum we are the EU's bitch, we've got nothing to negotiate with. We'll be lucky if we come out with our trousers at this rate.

Ooh sorry, we have jam. Keep forgetting about the jam.

With this liaison May has thrown votes down the pan. Oh Karma is applying itself nicely I think.
Yes the magic money tree is growing nicely in Theresa's back garden.

Why do we continue to elect such useless people?
I they had to make their way in the real world, if it wasn't for the 'old boys network' they would be on little more than minimum wage.

Magical money tree you say?...

mitzy I think there should definitely be an enquiry into the RHI and I think AF should have stood aside to avoid even the appearance of impropriety even if an enquiry finds no fault for her. Just one in a long line of bad NI decisions.

Next time we hear the old bollocks ' theres no money' or 'magic money tree' or you cant have this or that it should be slung back at the lot of the scummy bastards ' what about the money for votes eh Theresa?' time and time and fucking time again until she gets the message how much we despise her and her awful government. self serving bunch of low life. and i actually felt a bit sorry for her on another thread as she is only human - but not now. the whole lot of them will worm their way out of anything for power. i heard Green on five live today defending it all - they are all as bad as each other. i hope that people are as annoyed as i am and i am usually one to see the other persons point of view as well..

I'm too old and law abiding to start a revolution and although i voted labour i am also sceptical of JC at times too, but i so hope that someone will rise up and sort them all out once and for all. They are riding rough shod over the lot of us and pissing from a great height and we are allowing it to happen - i am so angry about this , surely it cant even be legal??

Why are we allowing this to happen, why are we awarding monies to a party a party that believes not in science but in religion, a religion which is then used to ensure that children are not educated in sciences, but rather indoctrinated, a party that is already accused of financial impropriety and most importantly a party that does not allow women autonomy of their own bodies, whilst continuing to again, introdrinate others about said choices. Why?

It's not ideal but it's the nearest thing to a triumph for democracy that the Parliamentary and electoral arithmetic had to offer.

Vote buying as a triumph?? It's obscene.

But does give me hope that the talks with the EU will be much more beneficial for those of us who want to stay in than I had previously thought!

This is a stick to beat the Tories time and again - the opposing parties must not let it go - i did read that George Osborne is also putting the boot in now he is editor of the evening standard - a few more of her more normal back bench MP;s need to do the same too, although maybe that is taking my dream of her being ousted a bit too far!
Maybe they should send Arlene over to Brussels to give Davis a hand with the 'talks' , she seems a tougher nut than he will ever be.

Despite these two so called "committed Christians" coming together for the sake unity. You just know they would both argue with Christ on the Cross, over who has the most power and control.

I'm not a believer, just pointing that out.

Dawn I learnt plenty of science and evolutionary theory at school...so it may not be as dire as it appears

Today 14:47 Syc4moreTrees - In what way is the DUP being able to vote and thereby influence policy a new thing?

I'm not talking about them voting in the HoC. I was referring to the part of the agreement entitled working arrangements :

In furtherance of these arrangements, the Government and the DUP will work together to ensure the necessary support can be established by both parties to fulfil these arrangements. A co-ordination committee will be convened for this purpose, chaired by the Government. The parties will agree the modus operandi of this committee. The Northern Ireland Secretary will not sit on this committee.

I'm far from an expert on political-language and prepared to be corrected, but to me it sounds like an opportunity for the DUP to insist on having direct input into governmental policy making.

Goodness me, I would have thought all you lefties would be happy.

Triple lock continued
Winter fuel continues

DUP DEAL

• £400m infrastructure
• £150m broadband +£100m health and education
• £200m health service transformation
• £50m mental health

Spending money on left-wing policies is worth every penny in the fight against... err... the lunacy of the left 🤔

@christinarossetti

You still don't get the point do you? How old are you?
Since when was social housing meant to be the government splashing out on affordable housing costing £1.6 million? They're supposed to be building their own. Another example of the money tree, who do you think's gonna miss out for that? I guarantee it wont be any Fat Cat Tory MPs and their nice fat stomach or walllets, it'll be some poor person in Wales..

I'm far from an expert on political-language and prepared to be corrected, but to me it sounds like an opportunity for the DUP to insist on having direct input into governmental policy making. - along with all other parties who take their seats and cast a vote.

This deal goes so far beyond the usual left/right party support, Grrr. It's about whether it increases the chances of civil war once more on the island of Ireland.

Another "you lefties"... ! Brilliant!!
no capitalisation of Lefties tho, we are a "thing" now you know show some respect. We used to be just people, now we're Lefties.

Giving £1bn to NI is hardly sharing the wealth out "for the many"!

As if it’s going to be a mere one off £1bn payment anyway. The DUP will be knocking on the door every so often demanding/requesting another few million here, another few million there. Drip, drip, drip.

along with all other parties who take their seats and cast a vote.

Erm... no. Not like that at all.

The DUP will have their own commitee with the government where they may well debate and ultimately agree on government policy and the timetable for bringing it to the HoC. In private.

Syc4more you clearly are interested in all this. Why don't you read the deal they've signed? It's widely available and it means you'll be able to follow the thread.