With the UK Gov. distancing itself saying how this is a devolved issue, if it is a devolved decision then surely it raises the question as to how the UK Gov. had the authority to take NI out of the EU when the NI electorate strongly voted to remain. Similarly, if a devolved decision how could the UK Gov. force a Withdrawal agreement on NI. Seems daft if the UK Gov. can agree processes when the decision to implement or not implement that UK agreement is devolved to NI.
Ian
NI has some devolved powers but it is not independent. The vote to leave the EU was taken by the electorate of the UK as a whole.
NI voted to remain in the EU - as did some other regions with larger populations.
I suspect the UK government for disingenuous reasons doesn't want to get involved in this dispute
With the UK Gov. distancing itself saying how this is a devolved issue, if it is a devolved decision then surely it raises the question as to how the UK Gov. had the authority to take NI out of the EU when the NI electorate strongly voted to remain. Similarly, if a devolved decision how could the UK Gov. force a Withdrawal agreement on NI. Seems daft if the UK Gov. can agree processes when the decision to implement or not implement that UK agreement is devolved to NI.
NI has some devolved powers but it is not independent. The vote to leave the EU was taken by the electorate of the UK as a whole.
NI voted to remain in the EU - as did some other regions with larger populations.
I suspect the UK government for disingenuous reasons doesn't want to get involved in this dispute
Not involved? The UK government caused this dispute:
Leaving the EU.
Inventing, promoting and agreeing the NIP with the known consequences.
The Prime Minister lying about those consequences.
Allying itself with the DUP.
Grandstanding on the NIP instead of implementing what it had agreed and working on solving the problems.
Jdsk wrote: ↑4 Feb 2022, 9:15am
Not involved? The UK government caused this dispute:
Leaving the EU.
Inventing, promoting and agreeing the NIP with the known consequences.
The Prime Minister lying about those consequences.
Allying itself with the DUP.
Grandstanding on the NIP instead of implementing what it had agreed and working on solving the problems.
Jonathan
Well I'll agree with most of that but the UK population decided in a referendum to leave the EU - not the government.
The UK government enacted legislation to allow the referendum result to be enacted - some may say that the referendum should not have been held - or maybe we should have had a referendum on whether or not to join the EU in the first place.
Jdsk wrote: ↑4 Feb 2022, 9:15am
Not involved? The UK government caused this dispute:
Leaving the EU.
Inventing, promoting and agreeing the NIP with the known consequences.
The Prime Minister lying about those consequences.
Allying itself with the DUP.
Grandstanding on the NIP instead of implementing what it had agreed and working on solving the problems.
Well I'll agree with most of that but the UK population decided in a referendum to leave the EU - not the government.
The UK government enacted legislation to allow the referendum result to be enacted - some may say that the referendum should not have been held - or maybe we should have had a referendum on whether or not to join the EU in the first place.
My point was about the cause of the current dispute that threatens stability in Northern Ireland and the future of the United Kingdom.
It needs to be resolved quickly. Any suggestions, please?
Jdsk wrote: ↑4 Feb 2022, 9:15am
Not involved? The UK government caused this dispute:
Leaving the EU.
Inventing, promoting and agreeing the NIP with the known consequences.
The Prime Minister lying about those consequences.
Allying itself with the DUP.
Grandstanding on the NIP instead of implementing what it had agreed and working on solving the problems.
Well I'll agree with most of that but the UK population decided in a referendum to leave the EU - not the government.
The UK government enacted legislation to allow the referendum result to be enacted - some may say that the referendum should not have been held - or maybe we should have had a referendum on whether or not to join the EU in the first place.
My point was about the cause of the current dispute that threatens stability in Northern Ireland and the future of the United Kingdom.
It needs to be resolved quickly. Any suggestions, please?
Thanks
Jonathan
It's a very complex problem and there is no straightforward solution. No customs barrier on the Island of Ireland and no barrier between the NI conclave and the rest of the UK while the UK is outside the EU.
When the border between the NI enclave and the Irish republic was put in place it was envisaged as a temporary measure.
It's time that the border was erased and the NI enclave is ceded to the Irish republic ( or the transfer is put to a referendum and a "NO" will put us back to square one) - that would satisfy the wish of the NI enclave to remain in the EU.
We're in this position because the British government backed down in the face of unionist threats when intending to grant Home rule to the whole island of Ireland.
Still saying that over 30% of NI voters would support parties who want UK to break international law. Isn't breaking international law rather out of favour since February 24th?
A Government minister on the Northern Ireland Protocol: “That is really important to understand because a lot of commentary that says: ‘Well, we signed it and therefore surely we should accept it lock, stock and barrel.’ That’s absolute nonsense. We signed it on the basis that it would be reformed. And there comes a point at which you say: ‘Well, you haven’t reformed it and therefore we are reforming it ourselves.’ And the United Kingdom is much more important than any agreement that we have with any foreign power.” https://www.theguardian.com/politics/20 ... -rees-mogg
Jdsk wrote: ↑29 Nov 2021, 3:41pmThe Court of Appeal in Belfast has begun hearing a challenge to the lawfulness of the Northern Ireland Protocol.
A group of unionist politicians claim it is unlawful as it conflicts with the 1998 Good Friday Agreement and the Act of Union. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-59463835
In court, the government is defending the lawfulness of the NIP, arguing that of course it doesn't conflict with the GFA and the Act of Union. But then in public the government moans that the NIP has to change because it isn't compatible with the GFA/etc.
If I understand correctly what just happened Sinn Féin have now won the highest number of first preference votes in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Lots to come on the Assembly and the Executive.
But will this affect what the UK Government does on the Northern Ireland Protocol either as policy in the Queen's Speech or through the relentless hints and threats?
Jdsk wrote: ↑7 May 2022, 10:44am
If I understand correctly what just happened Sinn Féin have now won the highest number of first preference votes in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Lots to come on the Assembly and the Executive.
But will this affect what the UK Government does on the Northern Ireland Protocol either as policy in the Queen's Speech or through the relentless hints and threats?
Don't know. But the Unionist/Nationalist argument is no further down the road. At least 52 of 90 seats were won by parties which either are unionist or non-aligned. If you add nationalist or non-aligned together it is at least 53 of 90. I don't know what the two independent members stand for. The fact that a party that does not want to identify as Unionist or Nationalist, but Northern Irish, got 17 seats says a lot.
I'm hoping we will soon have a United Ireland and shift the religious/ bigot problem to the Republic. It will also remove the border problem too. Probably wont happen in my lifetime.
Our crumbling monarchy could be a factor too.
Al
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