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An acknowledgment? Really, that's everything sorted so.Originally Posted by factual
An acknowledgment? Really, that's everything sorted so.
Dan Sullivan. I was back but we still couldn't all have a vote.
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If they vote against the budget, then fair play to them. Margaret Ritchie stood firm in the face of the DUP/ SF axis bullying tactics and managed to squeeze extra money from them for much-needed social housing. However, it remains an essentially right-wing, anti-community budget. There is of course the lack of detail on water reform and education, and by the recent performance of Nigel Dodds with regard to the abolition of relief for the installation of energy efficient measures, the two big parties cannot be trusted to deliver unless they spell out exactly what they are intending to do.
People don't seem to be able to get their heads around the concept that the SDLP are in the Executive as a right, not because they have agreed on a way forward with the DUP and Sinn Féin. This isn't like the situation in the Republic where parties coalesce voluntarily because they agree on a way forward. The SDLP has a democratic mandate to oppose anything they wish to oppose in the Executive. Technically Margaret Ritchie may have to vote in favour of the budget, but the wider party is not bound by these rules and has every right to oppose the budget. That does not undermine its right to be in the Executive- they have a mandate and legal right to use any Executive seat they have in any way they see fit, as the other parties also can do. There is nothing morally or legally to say they have to dance to the tune of the DUP/ SF axis.
"Sunningdale for slow learners"
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The report doesn't mention the UUP. Anyone know if they have declared their policy yet.? It could be a dangerous strategy to line up with two unionist parties against Sinn Fein.
A very tenuous argument violating the spirit of the GFA and --given that the SDLP were the ones calling for includive government and criticised other parties for a half-in half-out approach -- hypocritical in the extreme.
But then the SDLP is in decline and thinks these acts of irresponsible desparation will retard its decline into oblivion. The SDLP had its chance and blew it (in comparison SF put a lot more workers on the ground down the years). Look at how poorly the SDLP worked with the unioists when they were in government. What was achieved? The Mark-Durkan-Water-Tax; a legacy Sinn Féin now has to deal with as oen fo the lead parties in government.
RIRA not in my name-Traitors to Ireland MMcGuinness; People are entitled to cultural & social equality MLMcDonald; We have a length to go understanding unionism GAdams
The SDLP may have some "fringe" concerns about the budget and some stated vague notions that it doesn't help the "community". However, do not postulate that they have some grand scheme or alternative. The SDLP do not. This is just muddy water politics at its basest level.
A society of sheep must in time beget a government of wolves. (B. de Jouvenel)
How? Quitting the Executive would be contravening the spirit of the GFA. Are you saying that the SDLP should support the budget even if they disagree with it? That would be anti-democratic. Are you saying that the SDLP should quit the Executive and form an opposition (a position not provided for in the GFA, anti-powersharing and having no legal basis?) That would tantamount to the Westminster-style set-up of the old Stormont regime.
"Sunningdale for slow learners"
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It gets even more bizarre. Apparently Ritchie has voted FOR the budget. The SDLP are simply clueless timewasters, why would FF want anything to do with them?
A little lesson on geographic and political terms for dummies :
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They have a lot in common according to the FF heads.....
“If you elect a matinee idol mayor, you’re going to have a musical comedy administration.” -Robert Moses
An inclusive government doesn't mean that all parties have to act in unison, at the moment the DUP and SF seem to think that their way is the only way and every other party be dammed, hardly an "inclusive" government
Fair play to them!!! SF are voting for a budget that is going to end the Irish Language Broadcasing Fund therby ensuring that no Irish language programmes will ever be able to be made again for the BBC and UTV in Northern Ireland.
Edwin Poots has also said that he is not going to bring in an Irish Language Act either.
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