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Brexit
Original poster

The DUP - what do they actually want?

106 replies

FlyingFlamingo · 20/10/2019 11:12

I’m in Wales and I’d be interested to hear from someone from NI who may be able to answer (or may not Grin).

What is the DUP’s ideal scenario? I know what they don’t want - they didn’t like the backstop, they don’t want to remain, they want out of the CU and SM, they don’t want a border in the Irish Sea (which I get) but what other options are there? I’m genuinely confused! Would they be happy (secretly or openly) with a hard border in Ireland?

Thank you to anyone able to explain?

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lolaflores · 20/10/2019 18:10

Just dont tell The Foster One where that is likely to happen, shell be round with a water cannon
Watch spotlight on the troubles on BBC for what DUP stand for, what they have grown out of and why they seek like such a gang if frothing loons.
Sinn Fein etc, dont cover themselves in glory either.

Outsomnia · 20/10/2019 18:29

Lola,

very well put. All sides have a responsibility to keep the peace. SF kept quiet whilst their opponents in DUP were making idiots of themselves, no need to interfere while that is happening is there?

BTW I don't think the ROI has any aversion to Protestants. Just DUP maybe and we can all see why.

Hopefully the Alliance Party might pick up votes. Even though they have a name for being Unionist or whatever, they may be a middle ground for many. Same goes for SDLP but that doesn't seem to be gaining much ground.

Keep the Peace should be the mantra. Everything was hunky dory until Brexit. And now it is all up for grabs as to how this will go in NI. Shameful. But who ever cared about or knew much about NI anyway?

Just no more violence and killings please. That's what everyone wants now. Bar a few ultras.

Gingernaut · 20/10/2019 18:32

The British government 'supports' (or props up) the NI economy with nearly £10bn per year.

We spend more on NI than we do/did remaining in EU.

Virtually every job in NI is subsidised with government money.

www.newsletter.co.uk/news/opinion/northern-ireland-would-plunge-to-the-level-of-a-developing-nation-if-we-lost-uk-subsidies-1-8598687

Original poster
FlyingFlamingo · 20/10/2019 18:34

Numpty maybe there are similarities, but I know what the Brexit party want - no deal. And I’m not sure they would give two hoots about a border on the island of Ireland, or Irish reunification even. The DUP however, from this side of the Irish Sea, seem to have no idea what they want with regards to Brexit and the many problems it throws up for their constituents Confused

They don’t actually have any other policies of course Hmm

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Original poster
FlyingFlamingo · 20/10/2019 18:35

*the BP don’t have any other policies I mean

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isabellerossignol · 20/10/2019 18:37

Even though they have a name for being Unionist or whatever

Except amongst unionists, where they have a name for being republicans Grin

Outsomnia · 20/10/2019 18:41

Gingernaut.

Indeed the Gov subsidises NI with mostly Public Sector jobs. Fine.

But look at the other side. A United Ireland? How would ROI be able to sustain that level of subsidy? It is non productive and does not contribute to the economy generally. No NHS either?

I know people will say that EU will subsidise it just like other so called poorer countries. But I really have my doubts.

It is working fine as it is. Shame on Brexit for messing this up. It was not ever an issue up to now. DUP need to be asked also.

hopeishere · 20/10/2019 18:45

The depressing thing is thing that if there was an election in NI for the Assembly tomorrow I doubt the number of seats for each party would change. They get their vote out and they still have a lot of support.

rubberduckyyouretheone · 20/10/2019 18:48

A good kick up the arse is what they want/need and that's coming from someone who lives in a very loyalist area.

user1471453601 · 20/10/2019 18:49

From the actions of the DUP I can only draw the conclusion that what they want is an end to the GFA.

They want Brexit,and they want to be treated exactly in the same way as the UK, unless the issue is gay marriage or abortion, in which case it's ok to be different from the rest OF the Uk.

Unless they are all totally stupid (not ruling that out), the only was these two aims can be met is by breaking the international peace treaty that is the GFA. Logic tells me, therefore that this is what their aim is.

And bugger the loss of life and liberty that may/will result for so very many.

I'm a r remained for many reasons. But one of the reasons was what, exactlly , would happen in NI in the event of a leave vote? The GFA was only possible because the UK and ROI were both in the EU.

Outsomnia · 20/10/2019 18:50

hopeishere

I agree, Tribalism rules, and the middle ground like Alliance and SDLP have not won out at all so far.

So sad. But it is the reality now.

BubblesBuddy · 20/10/2019 18:51

I am always staggered that the people of NI put up with their politicians. I am now staggered we put up with most of ours. The DUP are unashamedly populist and their view of the world surely cannot speak for NI. However that’s all we hear! It’s time for NI moderates to get on the march.

isabellerossignol · 20/10/2019 18:58

People in N Ireland don't generally vote for the parties they support, they vote for the party most likely to keep their most hated party out.

I detest the DUP but yet I did once vote for them because I was in a constituency where it was a close race between the DUP and Sinn Fein and I wanted to be represented in parliament by someone rather than no one.

BiMum5 · 20/10/2019 19:03

The DUP will only tell you what they don't want. They don't want the Iriish Languages , gay marriage, abortion, evolution, devolution or any craic whatsoever, especially on a Sunday. They haven't figured outs what they do want.

Original poster
FlyingFlamingo · 20/10/2019 19:04

Sinn Fein puzzle me too, I understand their reasons for not taking their seats but I couldn’t contemplate voting for anyone who wouldn’t represent my interests in parliament, however much I agreed with their policies Confused. If they aren’t sitting in parliament what do they actually do?

I’m sorry if I am offending anyone with these questions by the way...

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AutumnalBliss · 20/10/2019 19:13

Just out of interest, what's in it for the English to be part of this "United Kingdom?"

Seems like we are subsidising quite a lot.

Original poster
FlyingFlamingo · 20/10/2019 19:22

I can only speak from a Welsh perspective but I’m not sure the Industrial Revolution would have gone all that well without Welsh coal. And maybe it’s best not to mention all the reservoirs supplying water to English cities Wink

Cofiwch Dryweryn (Google it)

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isabellerossignol · 20/10/2019 19:32

Just out of interest, what's in it for the English to be part of this "United Kingdom?"

Seems like we are subsidising quite a lot.

England probably doesn't get much out of us. But we didn't ask to be in this situation, and it was England's attitude to Ireland over centuries that led us here, so England can't just wash their hands and say 'nothing to do with me, mate'.

KennDodd · 20/10/2019 19:38

user1471453601

I agree with every word.

hopeishere · 20/10/2019 20:49

@FlyingFlamingo SF are very good constituency politicians in that they provide good advice / lobby on the behalf on constituents etc.

Original poster
FlyingFlamingo · 20/10/2019 20:54

That’s good to know...but they aren’t acting in their constituents interests if they aren’t voting on the current shitshow - which I do understand - I’m just not sure I would vote for an MP who wouldn’t vote on my main concern at the moment - a damaging Brexit (not that there’s a non damaging one of course!)

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Mookins14 · 20/10/2019 21:01

I'm in the republic so apologise to Northerners if ive got this wrong but the DUP represent those Brits who wanted no part of the republic and resented handing any of their acquired land back to the Irish.They are (I am open to being corrected) The political party to the likes of the Orange Order as Sinn Fein are to the likes of the IRA.

They are (as someone mentioned upthread) rabidly British. Which must come as a shock to those Brits who wish that this troublesome Irish party would just melt away into oblivion.

Outsomnia · 20/10/2019 21:12

Sad thing is, Brexit caused this, things were jogging along quite well, but now OMG, just wait for the fallout.

lolaflores · 20/10/2019 21:14

DUP are a kind of British traditin that many British dont recognise at first. However, I got the land of my life when my future FIL told DP he couldn't possibly marry an Irish catholic. I'm sure he would not identify with DUP but his views of what an Irish catholic meant, would not be a million miles away.

Sectarianism alive and well in Glasgow if the Old firm matches are anything to go by.

And similarly, living in the Republic as a child of Irish parents but born in London, I got awful shit about my accent, where I was born why didnt I cal my Mum mammy, etc . My mother calls my DH an Orangeman because he is British. Shes says it's a joke, but look closely...there is a certain tone.

I dont know if any of this bollox can be resolved but I think the virulence maybe lessening but I do think it is very hard to decipher what the fuck the likes of Arlene Foster are trying to achieve with their endless, boundless hatred that was born 400 years ago. Hating for the sake of it and because it's what you are supposed to do.

Luxembourgmama · 20/10/2019 21:17

To annoy the shit out of everyone I think

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