Any Northern Ireland peeps want to tell me are you worried as I Am.

[postmanwatcher]

My DH works in south. I'm really worried what will happen now! I feel like we are again being held hostage at the whim of the English!
They really don't care do they? What is going to happen here?

I live in England now (but have also been fantasizing about moving to Galway recently to because Ireland feels so much more forward thinking and dynamic than England at the moment), but I'm sad to hear that tribal voting is still going strong. I'd kind of got the impression from old school friends that there was a newish group of educated, liberal protestants who identified as Irish as well as British and who weren't particularly attached to even the milder brand of unionism, but it looks as though that's just my small echo chamber.

Thanks all for your responses - there are always 2 things that are said shouldn't be discussed around the dinner table - religion and politics. I take that on board, just as far as Ireland has been concerned , all the emphasis has been on politics and maybe some credence can also be given to the role of religious differences upon the 'troubles too?

Although frankly, I'd rather openly discuss the role of terrorism and terrorists and the role that they play in why the current 'situation' is so difficult. Although that's a bit unpalatable after dinner.

Rather than look for who did what wrong, their nationality, politics or religion - the greatest wrong being committed is by the people who threaten violence, will kill people, very innocent people, who hold different political/religious beliefs to them.

The very minority of people who somehow manage to hold most of NI in fear of them is the real problem. If this wasn't the case then Myra's killer would have been identified and awaiting trial by now.

But people are to afraid to speak up and the reasons why they are is the real problem.

Broomstick I think there were (?are) liberal groups on both sides. Most of my friendship group are from "the other side." It was never an issue apart from a jokey jibe here and there in jest. We rarely talk about the situation but you see various things posted or shared on FB (myself included) that make me think we are indeed retreating into our respective corners as another poster described. That makes me really sad

BroomstickOfLove I think there is a generation of people in NI who are more Liberal but I'm not sure that group is big enough to outvote the ingrained tribal votes coming from the staunch nationalist and loyalist areas. I also know many of our friends who would have been alliance voters before are swaying towards nationalism. Jeez my father would be spinning in his grave if he knew that.

Another English remainer here, Brexit has and will continue to cause all kinds of havoc and suffering but for me the impact on NI is the most heartbreaking of all.

I think some remainers purport to care about the current situation merely because it supports their world view that Brexit is a shitshow but some of us (most of us?) deeply, genuinely care because of the human cost.

BroomstickOfLove that's my echo chamber too. More of my friends are in mixed marriages than not, especially if you discount those where one partner isn't from NI. And it is a growing echo chamber, look how well Alliance have done at the last couple of elections.

But a) it's an echo chamber that doesn't typically vote b) it's a small echo chamber c) it will only take a tiny minority to bring the bad times back imo and d) there is indeed that tenancy to retreat to corners.

What about state funded terrorism Hatels?

@chocolatepeanuts, I agree. Me and my friend of 30 years are of different religions and there are things we have both said that probably touched a nerve and were better left unsaid.

Living in NI and very worried for the future.

It has little to do with religion. It's about making us all loyal subjects of the Crown. They don't care whether someone is Protestant or Catholic - they're not even British themselves.

NI native living in England here. Staunch remainer, as is my English husband. I'm petrified for the place I grew up and still consider home. I'm homesick but too afraid to move back, but ashamed of the UK and what it is doing to itself and its complete disregard for the GFA and the fragile peace in NI. I just don't want to be here anymore either so I feel a bit lost.

It's is lovely to hear that some English people do care about NI. It's just sad that Westminster aren't included in that group.

English person living in Dublin 15 years - didn't get a vote. Absolutely sickened by it all.

Rather than look for who did what wrong, their nationality, politics or religion - the greatest wrong being committed is by the people who threaten violence, will kill people, very innocent people, who hold different political/religious beliefs to them.

when you've figured out a way to make the people (unionist and nationalist) who threaten violence to declare a ceasefire, participate in a treaty that ends a civil war, and that solution works more or less successfully for 20 years it seems a bit much to blame the terrorists when you decide to blow it all up because of willful ignorance or indifference. Don't you agree?

The british government is threatening the end of a peace treaty they signed and all parties accepted in good faith and which ended a civil war in the UK (I think most british people outside of NI don't quite realise this was what was happening). Says a lot about their priorities.

I’m English OP and am extremely concerned about what Brexit means for you guys in particular. I am absolutely staggered by the UK Government’s complete disregard for peace in NI and the safety and welfare of its people. It’s a total and utter betrayal by the PM (and many others along the way) that they have wilfully ignored how devastating this will all be for NI. But please don’t think that we don’t care over in England because there are so many of us that really really do.

Well said pallisers.

Very well said Pallisers

@pallisers is absolutely right. I'm old and never thought it would come in my lifetime. GFA is precious and something to be genuinely proud of.

I wonder if the DUP would face a backlash if there was an election the way they did with RHI or if the fear would make people vote tribally.

Core DUP voters like farmers, especially those near the border can't be that happy at the minute, so much of our trade is across the border. And it's pretty obvious Westminster doesn't give a toss about us so I wouldn't be holding my breath for help from there if I was them.

I guess that was probably an autocorrect BroomstickOfLove but it's Lyra, not Myra. Like other posters here, I'm in a mixed marriage, what you say is lovely in theory but it's a bit naive. It's not about religion or politics, it's about power in their communities. The paramilitaries run the drugs trade, they take protection money from businesses. It's not just a case of religion or politics driving them to violence, that's just a convenient cover they hide behind.

Pallisers....applause. Very well said.
Why aren't reasonable people like yourself in charge?

I agree with flaviaAlbia. I don't like talking about paramilitaries. I think that is a term
Left over from the troubles. They are actually no better than the gangs you have in Dublin and London. They are drug businesses. The don't protect their communities they control them.

As for the DUP, I can't understand how Arlene is still leader, or indeed how they survived the last election. Clearly there are still a sizeable number of deluded people still voting for them.

As a historical Alliance voter I will be supporting Colm Eastwood in the next election. I hope all those who didn't vote last time will realise their vote DOES count.

I will also be voting SDLP.

Having previously voted alliance

My friends are DUP voting farmers. They voted to leave BECAUSE of farming but are unable to tell me why....

Another English poster here (Remain voter every chance I get) who is very worried... I have family in NI, although we’re not close. But regardless of that, I don’t want to see all the progress that’s happened with the GFA thrown away and I’m genuinely horrified at how careless our politicians are being about it. Not surprised, when it comes to the likes of Johnson and Rees-Mogg - their sort has always seem ordinary people as cannon fodder. But still horrified.

I’m so, so sorry and ashamed, I truly am. Being British - and especially English - is embarrassing at the moment.