Will the DUP agree to transfer of policing and justice before SF's christmas deadline

[Pat Mc Larnon]

And your thoughts on the thread are ??????

I believe that although the media play up the fact that the DUP are using their veto in the long term the fate of the current assembly rests very much with SF.

I think that the stalling of the DUP on this issue is now becoming untenable and ludicrous to defend. That being the case the outcome of the next assembly elections will see a three block unionist base, with a bit of a comeback for the UUP.

[alan1122]

I believe that although the media play up the fact that the DUP are using their veto in the long term the fate of the current assembly rests very much with SF.

I think that the stalling of the DUP on this issue is now becoming untenable and ludicrous to defend. That being the case the outcome of the next assembly elections will see a three block unionist base, with a bit of a comeback for the UUP.

If the unionist stalling has become untenable,.What is the point of elections to an assembly that is not going function.

[Pat Mc Larnon]

If the unionist stalling has become untenable,.What is the point of elections to an assembly that is not going function.

It is a process of weakening them in stages. A hopelessly divided block will be all over the place. In such a situation the blame for collapse will be put at a unworkable unionist set of factions.

[picador]

Robinson will not move while elections are in the offing - he is terrified of Jim Allister. Bring the elections forward and see what happens.

[alan1122]

It is a process of weakening them in stages. A hopelessly divided block will be all over the place. In such a situation the blame for collapse will be put at a unworkable unionist set of factions.

A collapse of the assembly, what then is SF's plan B, is there one. OK the unionists are exposed and divided, But does this then put the political scenario back to square one.

[mutley]

I believe that SF has always had a strategy to expose the intransigence and bigotry of unionism, and to display this for the outside world to view.
Part of the selling of the GFA was that once SF got to stormont this would be done, and we are seeing the results of this now.

So is that where their strategy ends, with the exposure of Unionism Intransigence ans bigotry? There are severe limitations to this strategy, in that it does nothing to bring a United Ireland any closer, and shouldn't that be Sinn Feins principle strategy - reunification?
It does not matter whether the Unionist vote is split 3 or 50 ways, as a Unionist voter wants to remain part of the Union. If the day ever comes that we get a vote, Unionist voters whether they favour the TUV, the DUP the PUP or the UUP or any more UPs that appear on the horizon, will vote to remain part of the union.

Sinn Fein are in an impossible situation of needing to convince Unionists of the benefits of a United Ireland, but they cause Unionists a severe adverse reaction 67000 of them have punished the DUP for their association with them.

[alan1122]

So is that where their strategy ends, with the exposure of Unionism Intransigence ans bigotry? There are severe limitations to this strategy, in that it does nothing to bring a United Ireland any closer, and shouldn't that be Sinn Feins principle strategy - reunification?
It does not matter whether the Unionist vote is split 3 or 50 ways, as a Unionist voter wants to remain part of the Union. If the day ever comes that we get a vote, Unionist voters whether they favour the TUV, the DUP the PUP or the UUP or any more UPs that appear on the horizon, will vote to remain part of the union.

Sinn Fein are in an impossible situation of needing to convince Unionists of the benefits of a United Ireland, but they cause Unionists a severe adverse reaction 67000 of them have punished the DUP for their association with them.

As I said ,this is,I believe, part of an overall SF strategy. Of course SF 's overall aim is re unification of the Island. To try to convince unionists that a united Ireland is the best option for unionists is unrealistic. Is this the best SF are offering, Do SF need to go back to the drawing board ?.
I'm aware of the amount of effort,time and money invested in this whole project by all shades of politicians,but if the unionists reject and veto the process,where do republicans turn to.

[mutley]

As I said ,this is,I believe, part of an overall SF strategy. Of course SF 's overall aim is re unification of the Island. To try to convince unionists that a united Ireland is the best option for unionists is unrealistic. Is this the best SF are offering, Do SF need to go back to the drawing board ?.
I'm aware of the amount of effort,time and money invested in this whole project by all shades of politicians,but if the unionists reject and veto the process,where do republicans turn to.

Good questions, any danger of a Sinn Fein representative answering them?
As for the question where do Republicans turn to, you would have to ask a Republican that.

[Katayusha Mk2]

As for the question where do Republicans turn to, you would have to ask a Republican that.

Not much point in asking a shinner then.

[picador]

Although not a Sinn Féiner I broadly agree with their peace strategy.

If unionists refuse to operate Stormont what is needed is a short period of Direct Rule, in close conjunction with Dublin (and starting with an Irish Language Act), that is so unpalatable to unionists that they decide to work Stormont. Something like the Anglo-Irish Agreement Mark 2.

Let's hear the true republican (or anti-GFA nationalist) alternative.