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[scriver]

We should have a vote on this to decide what democracy is

[ChairmanPoo]

I think not. What we need is a strong leader to tell us what democracy is.

[martinuzz]

I guess that's one way of looking at 'one man, one vote'

[TD1]

I think the only vote which counts is when my Count votes.

[EuchreJack]

Good news!

I counted up all your votes, along with others, and discovered the answer!

Macron's a dick, so he's out.

Instead, this is your new President of France, Europe, and Everything Else Important.

[hector13]

That link always shows it’s been visited so I always know what it is.

I still click on it though.

[Loud Whispers]

That link always shows it’s been visited so I always know what it is.

I still click on it though.

It's a tradition at this point

Still, I wonder how long the land-owning and pension-raking segment of the electorate is going to abandon politicians who worship GDP and property prices like some god instead of... Actually doing anything to improve life. It's like seeing those ultra-wealthy who keep fighting tooth and nail to increase their wealth despite living poor lives, and every extra million doing nothing to actually improve their life. At what point do we stop struggling to accumulate the wealth we already need to make things right?

[TD1]

Under my administration, Europe would make great strides in Medieval history studies.

And experience a reversal in fortune in all unrelated sectors.

[MorleyDev]

My first act will be to kill the whole lot o' ya and burn yer town to cinders!

Speaking of burning it all down, to the surprise of nobody the DUP reject the new Windser Framework.

I do wonder, considering this was the only unionist political party still around that voted against the Good Friday Agreement, is there anybody who honestly believes they're actually acting in good faith?

[TD1]

Eh, show me the man who holds that politicians act in good faith and I will show you a fool.

As regards disagreement concerning the Windsor Agreement, DUP constituents tend to wish for tighter integration into the UK - not a measure which would further underscore separation from the mainland.

If you think 'acting in good faith' means 'doing what their constituents want,' then I'd suggest they're being about as faithful as possible.

[MorleyDev]

By not acting in good faith, I mean "actively trying to force a customs border between NI and ROI without just coming out and saying that's what they're doing".

[TD1]

*Shrug*

The DUP acts on ideology and conviction/principle more than most parties. Their raison d'etre is to preserve the union. They're profoundly against anything counter to that. They've been fairly upfront that they view a customs border down the Irish sea to be ideologically incompatible with their party's aims - it is, for them, a distancing of NI from the UK.

So yea, they're against any negotiations which solidify that border.

Do they have a preferred alternative, namely a customs border between NI and ROI? Possibly, maybe even probably. But even so, they've been fairly transparent on why this solution is against their party line.

[MorleyDev]

Yeah, but the entire existance of Stormont is based on the notion of compromise between Unionism and Republicanism to allow both to coexist in a way neither are completely happy with. Stormont's very existence is fundementally tied to NI being slightly separate to the rest of the UK. If DUP are ideologically unable to accept any compromise on that front, they should simply state they are permanently withdrawing from Stormont and never shall return because that's what they're actually doing.

[hector13]

I think the current government in Scotland would be cool with being slightly separate from the rUK.

On the one hand I’m surprised it wasn’t mooted as a solution to the current NI issues, both before the deal was signed and as a consequence of the DUP’s recalcitrance, but on the other hand I’m not surprised the Tories lack pragmatism in the face of giving the SNP a win, or just generally disregard anything outside of SE England because that’s where the votes are.

[TD1]

Firstly, Stormont's current configuration is based on a compromise, but the institution exists to effectively wield devolved power. 25 years ago, this required a shared power initiative. I'd argue that today the same configuration is actively against Stormont's premise.

Secondly, devolved power is a trait of the union. A customs border and regulations imposed by the EU is no longer a UK trait.