Tories: Ireland shining example of economic policy making

[JCSkinner]

I think the Unionists in the Six Counties would do well to take notice of this. It illustrates that the grass is greener on our side of the border.

As I said over here:
http://www.politics.ie/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10351

Well if the UK Conservatives think that "Republican Socialist Bertie" is a shining light & example for Eurpope ... then why not the South & the UK rejoin again ?

Now that all the vile racists have been neutered in Cameron's happy family maybe we can admit that we share a high level of common purpose ...

Or even better, why not have some parts of the Uk come under Irish rule, since obviously we are the ones who know how to run a country, no?
My suggestion is we could start by running the 6 counties for them now, as it is the most economically deprived part of the UK, and maybe Scotland or Wales after that if it works out...

[Gladstone]

and a shining example of how not to manage infarstructure and public services.

Yesterday I heard the metro announced for the 9th time and the health crises goes on...

[cyberianpan]

I think the Unionists in the Six Counties would do well to take notice of this. It illustrates that the grass is greener on our side of the border.

As I said over here:
http://www.politics.ie/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10351

Well if the UK Conservatives think that "Republican Socialist Bertie" is a shining light & example for Eurpope ... then why not the South & the UK rejoin again ?

Now that all the vile racists have been neutered in Cameron's happy family maybe we can admit that we share a high level of common purpose ...

Or even better, why not have some parts of the Uk come under Irish rule, since obviously we are the ones who know how to run a country, no?
My suggestion is we could start by running the 6 counties for them now, as it is the most economically deprived part of the UK, and maybe Scotland or Wales after that if it works out...

Actually yeah ... lets give the Tories D4 .... and when it comes to it I think Kerry is much more suited to a Chanel Island style regieme (sp)

PanMan

[JCSkinner]

I was suggesting that we run some of 'their' territories for them as we clearly are better at it, according to David Cameron. Why on Earth would you let such a poor administration look after our sovereign territory, especially when they've done so abominably with the six counties they have already annexed?

[cyberianpan]

I was suggesting that we run some of 'their' territories for them as we clearly are better at it, according to David Cameron. Why on Earth would you let such a poor administration look after our sovereign territory, especially when they've done so abominably with the six counties they have already annexed?

Ok just Kerry then ... I have this thing about trying to outsource/offload Kerry ... I think it's very important and should be done urgently

Ok we'd lose Fexco but Brian really should've been prepared

<trails off> Kerry yes Kerry, finally solved the Kerry Problem </trails off>

[JCSkinner]

I was suggesting that we run some of 'their' territories for them as we clearly are better at it, according to David Cameron. Why on Earth would you let such a poor administration look after our sovereign territory, especially when they've done so abominably with the six counties they have already annexed?

Ok just Kerry then ... I have this thing about trying to outsource/offload Kerry ... I think it's very important and should be done urgently

Ok we'd lose Fexco but Brian really should've been prepared

<trails off> Kerry yes Kerry, finally solved the Kerry Problem </trails off>

Deal. Let's swap them the six counties for Kerry. Feck it, I'll sweeten the deal and throw in Innishvickillaune too.

[cyberianpan]

I was suggesting that we run some of 'their' territories for them as we clearly are better at it, according to David Cameron. Why on Earth would you let such a poor administration look after our sovereign territory, especially when they've done so abominably with the six counties they have already annexed?

Ok just Kerry then ... I have this thing about trying to outsource/offload Kerry ... I think it's very important and should be done urgently

Ok we'd lose Fexco but Brian really should've been prepared

<trails off> Kerry yes Kerry, finally solved the Kerry Problem </trails off>

Deal. Let's swap them the six counties for Kerry. Feck it, I'll sweeten the deal and throw in Innishvickillaune too.

actually ... Innishvickillaune is the clincher ... poor ole CJH

[Biffo]

Or even better, why not have some parts of the Uk come under Irish rule, since obviously we are the ones who know how to run a country, no?
My suggestion is we could start by running the 6 counties for them now, as it is the most economically deprived part of the UK, and maybe Scotland or Wales after that if it works out...

There is a point here. We keep hearing that the two governments will explore ways in which they could more closely co-operate to maximise the potential of the north, well I think it is time for some real meat to go on the bone of this aspiration. There has been some success in tackling unemployment levels in the north over the last few years and the recent Irish delegation to India included some Northern Ireland businesses and this is of course to be welcomed but is all that could be done actually being done. While some people will say that external factors have made the most telling contribution to our current economic success it is worth remembering that the north have not had the same success so from that it is safe to assume that our government’s policies have played a significant role. Corporation tax(main) in the UK is 30% and it would be very difficult for them to reduce that rate in one jurisdiction within the UK but they could consider a series of relief’s in the north or a series of tax incentives could be introduced to encourage growth in particular areas. The Irish government could also contribute to the cost of a tax incentive (or the cost of up-skilling labour) into areas in the north where there are large numbers of long-term unemployed(hard sell I know). The traditional imbalance continues to exist in that there are twice as many Catholics unemployed in the north as there are protestants, this has raised serious social issues and conflicts in the past and it is hard for people to move on when the imbalance continues to exist between communities.

In my mind Northern Ireland is not reaching its economic potential and this reflects on the politicians as a whole in the six counties. The current situation being what it is the two governments need to set out a joined up policy document for the north’s economy that would include a serious investment in infrastructure and higher education especially. The Irish government has a lot to offer based on our experiences and record of achievement.

On the broader issue in the north any political move away from tribalism is to be welcomed. It will be difficult for communities in the north to move on from the troubles and try to build a civil relationship with their neighbours where there are very clear imbalance between the communities. In my mind the success of the North’s economy would move the peace process forward where people would begin to concentrate on real issues when it comes to deciding who to vote for and not simply vote for the extreme parties on offer. In the last election in the north a third of people did not vote(which is a large amount considering the circumstances) , in my opinion these are the educated, middle class of the north who are disillusioned with politics in the region. These are the people who hold the future of the North, by achieving a successful economy in the north and by retaining the brightest and best members of the labour force the north can concentrate on success and the future and not on issues that are them holding back.

[JCSkinner]

Superb post, Biffo. I agree that much more ought to be done on a cross-border level in order to correct the basket-case economy created by partition and British direct rule latterly.
The recent SDLP initiatives include many cross-border moves that would help the Northern economy, and I believe that the creation of inter alia a single island currency and single island banking system as well as a merging of the IDA with its Northern counterpart would all assist the transition towards a pan-island state with a successful economy.

[Biffo]

Superb post, Biffo. I agree that much more ought to be done on a cross-border level in order to correct the basket-case economy created by partition and British direct rule latterly.
The recent SDLP initiatives include many cross-border moves that would help the Northern economy, and I believe that the creation of inter alia a single island currency and single island banking system as well as a merging of the IDA with its Northern counterpart would all assist the transition towards a pan-island state with a successful economy.

Thanks JC. I have not read the SDLP proposals but will try to in the near future. I’m not sure if I agree with what you are proposing in that post though, they seem to be issues surrounding reunification. Selling that idea to the people of the north will be a lot easier if they are going through a period of economic success and proposals like the ones you suggest would be included in the package.