The DUP - what do they actually want?

[FlyingFlamingo]

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

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?

The DUP's entire raison d'etre is to be contrary. They were formed to oppose more or less everything, including other unionists. And they are still opposing everything. If someone else wants it, then they don't want it.

I could nearly guarantee that they would have been campaigning for remain if Sinn Fein had wanted to leave...

Fuck knows but I strongly suspect it has to do with making lots of money through their crooked deals, crooked churches and crooked ALLEGED links with paramilitary organisations.

So making money for themselves and their mates, much like the ERG, that's what's at the heart of all of it.

Speaking of the DU dickheads I wonder what will happen tomorrow with same sex marriage and abortion? Hopefully they do one good thing for this country even if it is by default !

@Goricki19 they're not going to be able to change anything today. Doubt they'll even get a speaker elected.

Well a member from the DUP has spoken out in sky saying they would not support a second referendum or an amendment for the Custom union to be included in Boris's deal. So as far as I can see, the DUP want a hard border even if that means it ruins Northern Ireland businesses, brings back violence and cost lives. They are missing the good old days of the Troubles.

Yes, they want a hard border with preferably no deal. If they could build a great big wall around NI to protect from the imagined clutches of ROI, they would. They don’t really care about the economic consequences, their fear (unfounded IMHO) of a United Ireland trumps this every time.
There is no sensible logic involved so you’re better off not trying to look for it.

Their own way, however they don't seem to know themselves what that is!

I saw too that they are now refusing to back a CU amendment that would destroy the border in the Irish Sea problem.

Sigh

Tayto nailed it, the DUP want money. The power to extort money from private citizens and businesses via their paramilitary paramours. And from the UK government and other private businesses using their political clout.

They also want to keep their voters poor, stupid and disenfranchised. They're a disgusting bunch of people.

Sinn Fein are no better as their main selling point is they aren't quite as disgusting as the DUP while propping them up. They are just as disgusting, but in a different way.

And all Mr. Adam's denials if unvovlemebt with IRA ring more and more hollow. That Sammy Wilson though?
It would be good if Stormont could have people in it with less blood on their hands. For a start that might be a fresh idea

To keep NI in the dark ages.

Sammy Wilson is a strange one. I've met him a few times in the past in a work capacity, where I was a really junior member of staff and most of the 'important people' wouldn't give me the time of day. He was the most friendly, quietly spoken polite man you could imagine. It's hard to reconcile that with the angry red face on TV!

And all Mr. Adam's denials if unvovlemebt with IRA ring more and more hollow

An ROI minister for defence, a senior counsel in his current life so well aware of needing evidence before risking defaming another person, has accused Mr Adams of IRA membership actually of him being chief of staff of the IRA on TV. I don’t think Gerry Adams denial carries any water anywhere.

RuggerHug Flegs. Lots of Flegs

'nuf said

www.independent.ie/business/brexit/loyalists-warn-leo-varadkar-and-boris-johnson-they-will-not-tolerate-an-economic-united-ireland-38618298.html
I don't know about others but things are starting to get really scary.
I don't know what they want, it is not a united Ireland anyway.
Threats are out.

I can't really work them out but I heard they don't like the EU flag because it puts them in mind of the Virgin Mary.
Blue = Mary's cloak
Little stars - like the ones round Mary's head in pictures of the Immaculate Conception

Rather than the modern GB, they seem to want to belong to the GB of another era, 17th century or at the latest, the heyday of the Empire. In that, of course, they're not the only ones.

Unionist Spokesperson...
Wonder what the job requirements are for that position?
Familiarity with diversity and working towards integration between the communities of NI probably not high on the list of subjects this gentleman is likely to be happy to comment on.

The DUP want revenge now. And I predict they will be very Old Testament about it.

I was amused to see that they even did a bit of light trolling at that last division, remaining in their seats just long enough for the government to start hoping they would abstain.

There is no answer to sorting Brexit in NI. DUP are very angry, they don't like to be double crossed.
I'd be interested in how the loyalist people feel it will pan out between civilians?
I have friends and family in NI mostly Republicans, I can't see them rioting, although I am genuinely worried for all the civilians on both sides in NI.

I live in a pretty loyalist area, albeit not in Belfast. The anger is palpable and the atmosphere is tense. The forcing through of the abortion legislation has also made people incredibly angry with the government, and with local politicians for not preventing it, so that's another added layer. I've been surprised in recent weeks to discover that almost everyone I know, both religious (which I expected) and non religious is vehemently pro life in all circumstances. I had thought that there would be a fairly even split, but there doesn't seem to be. I'm even seeing life long nationalist voters saying that since the DUP are the voice of pro life, that's who they'll vote for next time, as its more important to them than Irish identity. That is something I never thought I'd see in my life.

It's the strangest time to be in N Ireland, it's so confusing.

@isabellerossignol , that's interesting. It's kind of like the Tea Party lot in America supporting a New York snowflake (that would be a Trump , in case anyone missed the ref) because he might create the circumstances where Roe vs Wade is overturned.
I can see how this would feel like a kick in the teeth to anti abortionists.

I can see how this would feel like a kick in the teeth

But doesn't it all feel like that?
For some politicians and voters their whole raison d'etre is to stay a loyal part of something. But the something that they're so loyal to has a govt that sold them down the river and 17 million people who didn't give them a second though either.

In a normal situation like that you'd switch allegiances. Eg I've been a Labour party loyalist all my life. I feel so let down by what's happening that I voted LibDem in 2017.

It's psychologically weird continuing being loyal to something that is in part rejecting you?

If your mission is to ban abortion you usually have religious belief as part of your mix and anyone is a vassal (usually of Christ) to help achieve your mission. It's not psychological weird, it's devout faith. Which I don't have, btw. But growing up Catholic in England with a "Life Group" at secondary school- which I tried to ignore- I sort of understand it.

I think it's very unfortunate, politically, that this deal and the abortion legislation have coincided as it dramatically increases the risk of something kicking off.

I feel that the risks to the GFA of a border in the Irish Sea have been underestimated by many, including me.