r/northernireland • u/TomCrean1916 • Feb 20 '24
Tell me again there isn’t a border poll coming? Political
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u/DowntownBook3523 Feb 22 '24
Constitutional change for Northern Ireland is surely inevitable due to the changing census figures & the national identity being deeply embedded with religious identity. It is surely time to discuss the types of societies we want to live in & the facts about identity plus idealism from our past on Ireland? But surely the first requirement is the total separation of church(es) &!state - similar to the original American Republic created in 1773 & before the creation of capitalism which has unintentionally (for the founders of American independence) ruined the ideals of the ‘founding fathers’
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u/Olive_Pitiful Feb 22 '24
When are they going to spend some money on defence?
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u/SaltyZooKeeper Feb 22 '24
Information on defence spending in Budget 2024 is easily found online
The total defence budget will be €1.23 billion
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u/MarkOSullivan Feb 21 '24
Love seeing announcements regarding more investment into improving the country
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u/Snipedcky Feb 21 '24
Can they at least make the fecking train journey to Dublin a bit quicker than by car?
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u/buggerific Feb 21 '24
This is brilliant. If I'd be able to get a train down to Dublin regularly, it would open more job opportunities.
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u/81Stingray Feb 21 '24
After all the blood that has been shed, here we are, sleep walking towards a united Ireland. I imagine it's hard for younger people to empathise with those of us who grew up during the Troubles but they celebrate the RA as heroes now and it makes my blood boil.
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u/lookingtothefuture3 Feb 22 '24
and you think a UI is going to be a walk in the park?, a UI would bring the troubles back you think all them loyalist paramilitaries are going to lay down and accept it? Galway Dublin Cork and Sligo better get ready for the shit to be bombed out of them, I am in no way advocating violence, but that is what the reality will be, do people here REALLY want that? I don't see any point in a UI, the border is open people can freely cross it, people are entitled to Irish passports etc, people have all the benefits of the republic but without the cost and the expense etc but can live in a part of the UK
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u/theaulddub1 Feb 21 '24
Sure same way Joe bidens irish. No problem people can identify as anything they want.
As history has proven time and again watch what they do not what they say. Look at the attendances in the Lords and commons debates at what is the most precarious period for the uk with ni. The locks have been changed naive to think otherwise.
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u/No_Session_3154 Feb 21 '24
If there is a UI, what will happen on 12th July?
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u/TomCrean1916 Feb 21 '24
Make it a public holiday. There are orange lodges in the republic too. Not many I’ll grant you but there are.
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u/bebopcounterman Feb 21 '24
Of course it is coming. It is no longer a question of 'if', only a matter of 'when'. It is inevitable due to the changing demographics and the inability of unionists to understand that they now need to sell the benefits of the union to Catholic voters if they are to preserve it. However, it doesn't mean that reunification is inevitable of course.
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u/EVRider81 Feb 21 '24
Had to go to Ballymena from Belfast today,decided to take the train..I see there's a New central station building coming on well on a neighbouring site..(First time back in Belfast since Covid)
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u/cherryosrs Feb 21 '24
I mean, polls show support is still tipped in favour of maintaining the union
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u/IrishShinja Feb 21 '24
To be fair the roads in the south are great quality. Our roads are just huge potholes filled with burnt Coco pops!
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Feb 20 '24
I dunno, i'm not convinced a border poll will be in favour of unification unless there's a clear plan of how it affects both the people and businesses.
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u/corkbai1234 Feb 20 '24
I've been saying it for ages this is the reason behind the big budget surpluses every year.
They need the big rainy day fund incase a United Ireland is sprung on us very quickly.
The British Government wants rid and its been pretty obvious for a while now.
To any Unionists who hate the sound of this, all I can say is you only have yourselves to blame if you voted for Brexit.
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u/Skunk_Mandoon Feb 21 '24
if you voted for Brexit.
And, y'know, all the other shit they did.
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u/corkbai1234 Feb 21 '24
Of course but Brexit is the the reason it's all being accelerated so quickly.
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u/lookingtothefuture3 Feb 20 '24
I am a unionist, i certainly do not have a problem with the other country on this island funding things, I am sure the same sort of thing happens in Scandinavia among Sweden and Norway or Finland and Sweden and Denmark etc , its regional cross border cooperation
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u/PalladianPorches Feb 20 '24
i think this is an obligation under gfa that had been in the pipeline for decades (even as the a5 had been improved around ballygawley to Omagh).
i did think there was something else with all the SF posters associating themselves with the project.
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u/ThatIrishCunt Donegal Feb 20 '24
Why would yous even want to be part of the Republic? its a basketcase at the moment.
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u/lookingtothefuture3 Feb 20 '24
they all think it is some kinda utopian dream and all their problems will go away once the border is removed , what i think will happen on this island is that NI will continue to exist as part of the UK devolution will bed down NI becomes economically prosperous as investment and jobs come etc and the place will boom with the access to the EU and the UK, for a sub that hates the UK so much and loves the EU they are shoting themselves in the foot as we remaining in the UK is an advantage as we have access to both markets, so remaining in the UK is to our advantage
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u/Ronaldinhio Feb 20 '24
Bit by bit it will be normalised that we are an island of Ireland.
There need be no struggle just a gentle letting go
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u/Pizzagoessplat Feb 20 '24
Don't get too excited as someone living in the Republic the government here loves to waste money and are shocking when it comes to deadlines. A lot of construction work has me thinking why did it cost X amount and take X amount of time to build?
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u/EmployeeSuccessful60 Feb 20 '24
Transport link is beneficial but remember those are politicians who have a very clear agenda and I wouldn’t trust them
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u/Craic_dealer90 Feb 20 '24
They can turn Larne into Stalingrad for them, I’m sure we could live with that
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Feb 20 '24
Good on them, it's what we need... The more cross-border schemes, the better... I suppose they are treated it more like humanitarian infrastructure support to repair & build relationships between North and South.
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u/Lord-squee Feb 20 '24
70 percent wants back in eu
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u/AcanthocephalaFew973 Feb 21 '24
Plenty of stupid people here
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u/Lord-squee Feb 21 '24
Emm do u think rejoining eu is stupid?
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u/AcanthocephalaFew973 Feb 21 '24
Why rejoin a fake system? Paying over the odds for shit arguments
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u/Lord-squee Feb 21 '24
You realise how much it benefitted us though lol and the republic, we didn't have the money or infrastructure and uk was being out bit
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u/moistpishflaps Feb 20 '24
I mean… I thought it was already suggested/basically confirmed that a border poll was coming within the next 10 years?
But anyone who is getting pissy about more investment into NI truly does not care about our country or our people
Put your outdated sectarianism to the side and appreciate this for what it is - a much needed investment into Northern Ireland
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u/BawdyBadger Feb 20 '24
The Tory government had to give a big grand speech about how it's never going to happen with all the DUP MPs having a wank over it.
But a vote is something that is definitely going to happen. Especially as the oldest generation passes and the next reach voting age.
Whether it will pass or not is another matter.
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u/moistpishflaps Feb 20 '24
Yeah some people really don’t understand the difference between having a border poll and it actually passing. The latter is not guaranteed in any way
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Feb 20 '24
Embarrassing. The UK can't even fund Northern Ireland properly so Ireland is basically giving them foreign aid.
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u/50-cal95 Feb 21 '24
They get £10billion more per year than they contribute to the UK. Iits not our fault Stormont's a shit show and couldn't organise a piss up in a brewery.
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u/ExpensiveTree7823 Feb 20 '24
The UK can't fund anything in any part of itself at the moment
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u/beepboopbananas3298 Feb 21 '24
As opposed to Ireland which also can't fund anything and is in a crippling housing situation?
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u/McClelland_71 Feb 20 '24
Casement Park is a total joke. from £75m up to well over £200m. I wish I could inflate my quotes by half as much as these clowns.
I heard there was about £18.50 going towards the nurses.
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u/_BornToBeKing_ Feb 20 '24
There isn't. 39% are pro unity vs 49% for the union.
The Irish government has a history of giving money to N.I, this is nothing new.
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u/lookingtothefuture3 Feb 22 '24
as per normal with this sub, you get downvoted for knocking their little nationalist circle jerk back into reality, what are all the middle class nationalists going to do when they loose their jobs when they fantasy comes true the civil service in NI will be culled if a UI happens as will so many other jobs, we are actually better staying in the UK for the simple reason we have access to both UK and EU markets, if a UI happened we loose that UK access
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u/_BornToBeKing_ Feb 22 '24
Exactly. Well said.
A lot of so called "Pro unity republicans" will start to feel a burning sensation in their wallets as they approach the polling station and suddenly, they will morph into "Ballot Box Unionists!". The threat of job losses in the public sector will be the ultimate stop gap to a U.I.
It makes more economic sense to have access to both markets.
Two jurisdictions also encourages greater competition for things like fuel (go to the border and see for yourself the price differences). The beneficiary is the consumer.
The consumer rarely benefits when economics is "unified" or more "cartel-like'.
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u/lookingtothefuture3 Feb 22 '24
spot on, what will all them donegal folk do if the border was removed no more booze cruises across to NI for cheap beer and wine or shopping
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u/_BornToBeKing_ Feb 22 '24
Exactly, no more "health tourism"!
The NHS should put a stop to that anyway. If you don't pay our taxes, you should not be receiving NHS healthcare.
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u/bogio- Down Feb 20 '24 edited Feb 20 '24
It's almost as if there was some sort of secret clause unlocked somewhere down south, where the condition was, "execute project link" in the event that the nordies ever voted in a nationalist first minister... like they must have had contingency plans for when the north is looking like the people want to unite.
And a nationalist first minister voted in, is the first step.
So there's probably a lot of wheels in motion down south behind the scenes that none of us are privy to. Like two senior shadow irish government officials got together in their bunker, "the time has come"... with matching keys, to unlock a vault... and the vault contains a list of things the irish government must start putting in place, to get the island reunited.
- NI Nationalist first minister
- funding for transport links across the island
- funding for irish sport (casement park) in the north
- funding for the battle of the boyne historical site
It's happening people. And it's happening fast.
Our revenge will be the laughter of (all) our children.
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u/Pleasant_Text5998 Feb 20 '24
I think I just heard a chorus of angels at the mention of an hourly train to Dublin
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u/Tam_The_Third Feb 20 '24
I dunno, it's been pretty great craic being part of the English neoliberal project for the last couple of decades, maybe we should give them another shot? 2024 could be the year they really turn it around!
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u/KeyActivity9720 Feb 20 '24
It’s in Irelands interests to try link up the North West in particular, and it only makes sense to spend money in that area of Northern Ireland because that’s where the largest population centres of the north west are located.
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u/Severe_Ad6443 Feb 20 '24
Apart from the roads, aquaducts, and such, what have the south ever done for us?
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u/BawdyBadger Feb 20 '24
They are the only place to have Krispy Kremes.
While we are stuck with that Taboo shite.
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u/Rough_Operation_3888 Feb 20 '24
Only bitter,sad little people in their own bubble have a problem here. Get over yourselves no one gives a shit.
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u/Nintentoad123 Belfast Feb 20 '24
Ugh. We don't need a border poll yet (as a nationalist). It'll be a big waste of money and then we'll be forced to make more big wastes of money every 5 years or so for another one. 10 years? Maybe. Now? Definitely not.
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u/lookingtothefuture3 Feb 20 '24
good friday agreement does not say there will be a border poll every 5 years
no where in it does it say that people have taken a few words from the GFA and twisted it to suit themselves, the good friday agreement actually says if a border poll was held now there cannot be one for another 7 years the clause is talking about time between polls but people has added their own ideas onto it and then suddenly its a border poll every 7 years which is nonsense people are putting 2 plus 2 and getting ten, its simply not in the agreement, the clause is talking about time between polls
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u/Nintentoad123 Belfast Feb 21 '24
Whatever, I couldn't be bothered to try and translate political mumbo jumbo to argue. My point still stands, we don't need a border poll now and not for a long time. We have better things to be focusing on.
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Feb 20 '24
Correct...it will be a once in a lifetime vote and it will be a rejection from the silent majority.
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u/lookingtothefuture3 Feb 20 '24
this sub likes to talk it up, I dont want to be part of down south no way, yes they can afford us, but all the extra everything is twice the price ,they would tax the sun if they could, no thanks from me
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u/CheleySunshine Feb 20 '24
So, the Republic of Ireland owe Britain millions but can give Northern Ireland millions??? Hmmmm who gave the republic this money to give to Northern Ireland??? Definitely something going on!!!
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u/mkultra2480 Feb 21 '24
UK general government gross debt was £2,636.9 billion at the end of Quarter 2 (Apr to June) 2023.
Versus Ireland's: "The latest government financial statistics produced by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show the State's headline debt fell by €11.4 billion to €224.8 billion at the end of 2022."
Accounting for population sizes, they're comparable with Ireland coming in a good bit less debt per capita.
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u/TomCrean1916 Feb 20 '24
How do the republic owe the British millions?
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u/CheleySunshine Feb 20 '24
Go look it up! They’ve been borrowing of them for years! They also owe Europe millions! Go check it out for yourself. The Republic of Ireland is absolutely skint! Any money they have is borrowed! Why do you think they’re taking so many migrants in? They get big money for it! You should really look into things instead of taking what your government tells you at face value! A lot of people loosing their homes in the republic, people who were born there and have a lot of families there. The government couldn’t give two figs about them being on the street.
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u/sarcastix Feb 20 '24
The Irish government spent 115 billion euro last year. That's €328 million per day or €230k per minute. Owing millions is like owing pennies at that level. Also, you're talking bollox
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u/Local-Win-5966 Feb 20 '24
They finished paying off their debt to the UK in 2022 ( ahead of schedule), they only.owe EU bailout money now , they have started repaying that already ( ahead of schedule). Yes they carry a lot of debt but they are also servicing that debt successfully. Credit check them if you don't believe me..
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Feb 20 '24
They actually offered to pay off the UK loan in full back in 2015 but the UK refused. They are one of the only countries in the world to successfully service their bail out debt
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u/outward-bye Feb 20 '24
No mention of the narrow water bridge project?
“Narrow water” like sorta sounds like it could do with a bridge.
Build the bridge lads.
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u/Wallname_Liability Craigavon Feb 20 '24
Fenian Dublin book reading bastards building roads and actually improving people’s lives, in the words of the sage Jim Allister, this is colonisation
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u/Bubbly-Ad919 Feb 20 '24
There’s not a border poll coming this has been a long standing commitment by the Irish government to invest in Northern Ireland is been happening for the last 15 years now and benefits the republics economy by improving transport links and infrastructure
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u/__smd Feb 20 '24
There isn’t a border poll coming. The key to politics on the island is to work together and give each community the sense that they belong. Which they do.
From a shinners point of view, in the North they need stability and show they are the new statespeople. MON has been perfect so far in her performances - and they need to keep it going. SF don’t want a border poll or a united ireland right now.
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u/TomCrean1916 Feb 20 '24
Irish government just love bombed NI with shy if a billion in investment. Nobody wants a border poll tomorrow. Planning and citizens assemblies have to happens and all the facts and outcomes outlined. But it would be foolish not to see this for what it is. First step by an Irish administration that has broadly ignored NI now throwing money at it.
You’d need to be politically blind not to see the significance.
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u/__smd Feb 20 '24
You really think the Irish government wants NI and all the problems it would bring? Now that is being blind! There is no benefit to Ireland having NI. It’s all smoke and mirrors.
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u/miseconor Feb 20 '24
“They fixed the roads” kept FF and FG in power in Dublin for decades. Now they’re using their trump card to make a move for Irish unity. Would almost bring a tear to your eye, they grow up so fast
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u/DerivativesDrew Feb 20 '24
An inclusive, egalitarian and shared island will benefit everyone who lives here. There is no denying it, we are stronger together.
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u/OctagonDinosaur Feb 20 '24
Judging by your post history OP, you WANT this to be about a border poll.
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u/TomCrean1916 Feb 20 '24
No? Observable reality and events are there for anyone with eyes to see. The conversation around unity is constant now. Even in GB media. NI has been messaged for 8 years now. Putting our fingers in our ears and pretending we cannot hear won’t change anything.
This funding is remarkable and unprecedented and it would be foolish to not see it for what it is. Opening salvo and serious move towards unity.
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u/OctagonDinosaur Feb 20 '24
Nobody is denying a border poll could happen soon, even as a unionist I can see it as feasible, but not every commitment from the Republic has to be warranted as a push towards a poll. It's enshrined in the Good Friday agreement for both sides to contribute, which is expected.
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u/corkbai1234 Feb 20 '24
It's no coincidence that they also announced funding or the Battle of the Boyne site.
In my opinion that's the one that's most significant.
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u/senorsombrero3k1 Feb 20 '24 edited 28d ago
whistle doll drab mourn relieved plucky toy special liquid reminiscent
This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact
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u/FcCola Feb 20 '24
Connect the West. If wee Stuarty from Drumahoe was able to hop on a train and head to Donegal or Sligo for the day and be back in time for his fish supper, sure it would be the makings of him
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u/Electronic_Panic3943 Feb 20 '24
Like a stuck record. Border poll coming, border poll coming, border poll coming.... like a wee annoying jack russell.
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u/TomCrean1916 Feb 20 '24
Loyalism denying reality. Day ending in Y
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u/Electronic_Panic3943 Feb 20 '24
Denying reality? It has been dreamt about for decades. Sands didn't see it, McGuinness didn't see it, big Gerry won't see it. Do you think the shinners, F.F, F.G etc are going to write a wee dear santa letter to the Brits saying "please let us have our united ireland but only if you pay for it as a good will gesture cos we are skint and can't pay back a wee loan". Mary Lou on repeat saying it is inevitable.... some more intelligent politicians in the south might think otherwise.
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u/Latter-Noise-865 Feb 20 '24
No occupation he toy thick as a brick human. Partition was an agreement between the free state and the British government. Also just for the record your so called freedom fighters murdered more catholics than the rest put together. Murdering scum supported in no small part by the government in the republic. Another fact, since you brought up the name. Gusty Spence was the only terrorist leader who actually offered a total apology for what his organisation did. Still waiting on Gerry and his friends do the same.
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u/mkultra2480 Feb 21 '24
"Partition was an agreement between the free state and the British government."
Largely down to the threat of protestant violence, there wasn't anything democratic about it.
"Also just for the record your so called freedom fighters murdered more catholics than the rest put together."
Incorrect:
https://cain.ulster.ac.uk/issues/violence/mcgarry.htm
"Murdering scum supported in no small part by the government in the republic."
Are you referring to the Charlie Haughey scandal? That pales in comparison to the RUC/loyalist paramilitaries collusion.
"Gusty Spence was the only terrorist leader who actually offered a total apology for what his organisation did. Still waiting on Gerry and his friends do the same."
An apology was issued over 20 years ago.
How can someone be so wrong on so many points. You're delusional.
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u/buckfastmonkey Feb 20 '24
And in return can we PLEASE have Greggs in the 26. My nearest one ( newry ) closed last year and it breaks my heart.
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u/bambi_18_ Feb 20 '24
Can we get Supermacs in the North too?
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u/denk2mit Feb 20 '24
There's one in Derry now!
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u/obscure_but_alluring Feb 20 '24
It's not. Shut up about it.
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u/TomCrean1916 Feb 20 '24
No. And it is. You’d do well to pay attention.
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u/obscure_but_alluring Feb 20 '24
Last polls say that a majority in the North and South don't want it. And Sinn Fein are down 6% in the last poll, wiping out all their recent gains in the South.
I am paying attention. Your day isn't coming. Join the rest of us in the real world. The fact that 1916 is in your username takes your credibility away. Seems you can't look at the situation rationally.
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u/SirJoePininfarina Feb 20 '24
I do hope it comes with a big sign stating it’s built with Irish Government funding with a dirty big fleeeeggggg
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u/Individual_Sale_5601 Feb 20 '24
Drop in the bucket, we've 50yrs to catch up it's going to cost billions just to get the country on a even state , UK government needs to step up and give more in block grant for at least 10yrs just to sort out the decay in the nhs, roads, houses and environment
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u/TomCrean1916 Feb 20 '24
This current uk govt?? Yeah that’s not gonna happen.
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u/Individual_Sale_5601 Feb 20 '24
All the UK government's have left this place underfunded, it's rediculous, instead of culture bs on both sides it should be a functional nhs education system, housing executive and water management celebrations about 400 yrs ago doesn't pay the doctors nurses or teachers neither does changing street names
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u/iamronanthethird Feb 20 '24
I think Fine Gael have been quietly doing the bits Sinn Fein are screaming out loud.
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u/SoftDrinkReddit Feb 20 '24
Well of course a Border Poll is coming anyone saying no is delusional
The only 2 questions relevant is
Will it win
When it will be held
But the border poll itself is coming one day fact
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u/corkbai1234 Feb 20 '24
I reckon it will happen not long after the General Election.
FG and FF will use it to sway voters by making them believe only they are capable of handling such a monumental task, which a United Ireland will undoubtedly be.
If its the case that the people decide they have had enough of them Mícháel and Leo will be happy to throw Mary Lou off the deep end if she ends up becoming the next Taoiseach.
Obviously take all of that with a pinch of salt but it sounds good in my head right now
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Feb 20 '24
While I don't think this is evidence of a border poll coming soon there is definitely a trend of 'linking the island' together on a cross border basis from transport infrastructure to education and economics. All this should have been the case years ago but obstinate unionists have blocked this so the british and Irish governments are going over their heads.
I've been of the view for some time that a border poll will be won in the 2030s I base this opinion on the census basically there will be nationalist leaning voting majority in the 2030s making a successful border poll very likely. There is always context and the situation can change but demographics do show clearly that the british identity majority is gone at every age under 65 and various forms that include Irish identity have a majority at every age under 45 with Irish only having the plurality.
Lucidtalks most recent poll showed 52% of Northern Irelands population 'aspire' to a united Ireland even if that's off by the margin of error demographics point to that figure increasing. I don't think that's a case of Saint Augustines prayer but even if it is the core of unionist support is over 65 they will die at a significantly higher rate than nationalists every year going forward.
Even if you're opposed to a united Ireland there is in effect a gravitational pull in that direction so it is undeniably time to start planning. I believe marking 2035 as the year for a border poll would be sensible but it may not be sensible to announce that in 2024.
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u/corkbai1234 Feb 20 '24
Between this announcement and the plans to upgrade the Battle of the Boyne site then you can be sure a Border Poll may come sooner than you realise.
The timing of both statements is more than just coincidence.
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Feb 21 '24
It may but we have had a lot of this coincidental timing of statements in the last few years. The shared island initiative was more of an anti-unity tactic but has backfired a bit. I don't think anyone is genuinely pushing for a border poll in the next 5 years unless something unforeseen happens.
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u/corkbai1234 Feb 21 '24
That's the thing, I think they bracing themselves for that unforeseen thing whatever it may be.
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Feb 21 '24
As per the last paragraph of my first comment. The gravitational pull towards a united Ireland is forcing them to deal with it. I fully believe the shared island fund was just to clip Sinn Féin down south but all it's actually done is generate more interest in a united Ireland. They've essentially drawn attention to the illogical nature of partition.
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u/SoftDrinkReddit Feb 20 '24
What's your definition of soon because in the next 10 years is the likely timeline
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Feb 20 '24
Sorry I should have clarified that. My definition of soon would be the 2020s in this context so the next 5 years is soon or near term, a government term essentially, while 5-15 years is medium term. Anything longer than 15 years would be long term.
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u/Typical-Analysis8108 Feb 20 '24
Irish fucking Government sticking it's covetous nose into NI affairs again. Bailing the place out with medical places and now infrastructure projects.
A border poll is inevitable regardless of Chris from Daventry's recent statement. 39% ready to vote for a UI without a single piece of work done on a plan or anything. Given the movement from supporting the Union to a UI has been around 14 percentage points over the last 8 years given another +5 years there will likely be a clear majority looking to reunite.
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u/boredatwork201 Feb 20 '24
39% ready to vote for a UI without a single piece of work done on a plan or anything
This plus the fact that the majority of younger people support a UI, and its the older people that support remaining in the union shows that it really is inevitable.
The Scottish support for independence went from low 20s to mid 40s after the campaigning and even being above 50 at one point. We are starting in a much stronger position.
The funniest thing about the Scottish referendum is that the two biggest arguments against a yes vote have essentially been solved.
First, they didn't want to be out of the EU by going independent, and then the English dragged them out anyway 😂 Secondly, they didn't want a hard border between Scotland and England. Thanks to the work done on easing the checks between NI and Britain, the Scottish can just ask for the same thing.
The only argument left is that they will have to use the Euro. I dont think this is enough to stop the Scottish voting yes in another indy ref, which is why the Brits are so scared of giving them another chance.
We dont have to argue against any of that, and the Brits definitely won't fight as hard to keep NI as they did to keep Scotland.
Get a half decent plan in place for a UI and wait a few years for the younger people to reach voting age (and some of the older ones to die off) and winning a border poll will be no problem.
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u/Cutie-Flow-9887 Feb 21 '24
I think you overestimate the energy for Scottish independence.
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u/boredatwork201 Feb 21 '24
The latest poll had yes at 47%
Thats already higher than where they ended up in the last referendum, where they started in the low 20s.
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u/Cutie-Flow-9887 Feb 21 '24
It's been that way for nearly a decade now. The SNP are on for a right hiding at the next election. Take this from someone who lives in Scotland
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u/boredatwork201 Feb 21 '24
https://www.ipsos.com/en-uk/snp-still-lead-scotland-labour-are-narrowing-gap
Not according to this from earlier this month. They are down a bit, yes, but are still ahead of Labour (for now) and the Conservatives
Actually, this has the yes side at 53%, so I was wrong about the latest poll.
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u/madhooer Feb 20 '24
What medical places?
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u/Cynical_Crusader Derry Feb 20 '24
Magee in Derry. They are also funding nursing places.
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u/madhooer Feb 21 '24
You mean the 200 nursing spaces they've reserved in NI exclusively for ROI students.?
How does that benefit anyone from NI?
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u/Cynical_Crusader Derry Feb 21 '24
You mean the 200 nursing spaces they've reserved in NI exclusively for ROI students.?
They could be from the moon for all I care as long as we have funding which was cut. You can take it up with the local and British govt if you have a problem with the constant budget cuts.
How does that benefit anyone from NI?
Because without it there would be none at all. That would be over 300 places gone and a bit hit to the local economy in Derry plus Magee which is already underfunded.
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u/madhooer Feb 21 '24
That's not true at all, less than half of the 300 lost places were in Magee. And those places only existed since 2020, funded for a 3 year programme...
The funding was not extended by the last health budget. Not sure how that would be considered a 'hit' to the economy, but the fact is; the assembly is back and now we have 200 places being block reserved for someone else's health service.
Rip up the contract and bring the places back into NI student's reach...
Also, when you bring up this type of 'funding', dont forget to include all the relevant facts..,
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u/Cynical_Crusader Derry Feb 21 '24 edited Feb 21 '24
That's not true at all, less than half of the 300 lost places were in Magee. And those places only existed since 2020, funded for a 3 year programme...
Could be funded for 3 days for all I care. Short term-ism isn't an excuse for not doing anything.
There was clearly interest or else UU wouldn't have taken the money even though they are a uni.
>The funding was not extended by the last health budget. Not sure how that would be considered a 'hit' to the economy, but the fact is; the assembly is back and now we have 200 places being block reserved for someone else's health service.
Who caused this, as yes our dysfunctional local government. Take it up with them and your Unionists MLAs.
The health service down south also treats people from the north especially for specialist care.
The people attending the course will also usually live in the local area and bring business and community. Hence the boost to the local economy, not hard to understand.
Rip up the contract and bring the places back into NI student's reach...
They were never in reach, what part of funding being cut do you not understand here. We don't and didn't have the time of waiting for the DUP to get out of their own holes.
Also, when you bring up this type of 'funding', dont forget to include all the relevant facts..,
I did, it's not my fault you can't grasp it.
Basic overall point I said they were funding places and they are. You are trying to make it seem like a negative since you just don't like the South.
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u/No-Canary-7992 Feb 20 '24
Things that are as shit, if not shitter than our own 2 bit government which is in turn controlled by another 2 bit government:
1) FF & FG
2) The Irish Civil Service
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u/FirmOnion ROI Feb 20 '24
I just hope it's done properly, and that the right lesson is learned from brexit. Is it naive to hope for a clear thought-out plan for what would happen if there was to be a united Ireland? Is it more likely the vote will just be dropped on the people out of nowhere and the referendum will be surrounded by misinformation and a lack of a plan?
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u/Typical-Analysis8108 Feb 20 '24
I would hope off the back of Brexit it is a more comprehensive plan spelt out well in advance. But you would never know. Depends how much the Brits want rid of us too. Mary from Nottingham would gladly cut us adrift if it is saved any proportion of £15bn a year.
Will they accept people from the Shankill arriving over in small boats from across the Irish Sea?
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u/FirmOnion ROI Feb 20 '24
2026: Orangemen asylum seekers flood the shores of albion, causing unrest in the native population. UK government bans travel to the UK for Irish protestants, due to the influx of violent assaults on anyone with the wrong fleg.
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u/Dreambasher675 Feb 20 '24
We’ll accept refugees from the Shankill.
Provided they are happy to live in Grimsby. We have our own housing crisis and that.
I think they’ll find the deprivation to be reminiscent of home and will settle in quickly.
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u/Sstoop Ireland Feb 20 '24
honestly having been to both i dont know which is worse
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u/Dreambasher675 Feb 20 '24
Well at least grimsby ain’t covered in UVF murals, I will give it that.
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u/Xenon009 Feb 20 '24
Please. You know that we'd have the royal navy out in three seconds, we reckon we're the best at drinking, and we don't dare let anyone who could show us up in.
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u/GothicGolem29 Feb 20 '24
It’s not inevitable very few things are
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u/Accomplished_Ad1054 Feb 20 '24
Which you keep saying on the Scottish sub as well despite It polling at 56% and the NO leads have Indie(within SNP voters) at 90% while LAB/Tory is 89%. That as well could bump that 39% Yes into a 56% Yes lead if Scotland leaves after the SNP winning the GE vote.
Troll harder you loser.
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u/GothicGolem29 Feb 21 '24
According to another poll people in Scotland also want to wait till after the cost of living ing for indy. Not to mention until recently polling was inconsistent.
Not trolling at all? The future just isn’t certain we don’t know what will happen
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u/The_Earls_Renegade Feb 20 '24
Jesus lad this line again? I'm starting to think you're a bot. Give it a rest, the Unions days are numbered. All things die as the expression goes.
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u/GothicGolem29 Feb 20 '24
It’s not numbered. Nothing is certain in this field it may happen but it might not no one knows what the future holds
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u/LeviathanShark Feb 20 '24
Except the continual shrinking of the Unionist population
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u/GothicGolem29 Feb 20 '24
Thats not certain either
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u/The_Earls_Renegade Feb 20 '24
Tick toc tick toc.
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u/GothicGolem29 Feb 20 '24
Become too confident you might regret it
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u/The_Earls_Renegade Feb 20 '24 edited Feb 20 '24
Become too ignorant and you may be left behind in a Éire nua (new Ireland).
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u/GothicGolem29 Feb 20 '24
If unionists are left behind thr violence from militias will be great. I personally won’t be left behind as I’m in England but I warn you not to leave unionists in Ni behind IF it does happen. If you become tooo overconfident you might just keep waiting for a day That never comes
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u/boredatwork201 Feb 20 '24
violence from militias will be great
Haha these are the same militias that were described by the British army as a group that "presented themselves as the protectors of the Protestant community but in practice were often little more than a collection of gangsters" 😂
The same British army described the IRA as "one of the most effective terrorist organisations in history. Professional, dedicated, highly skilled and resilient"
The fact is the IRA had a border to hide behind and plan attacks from and gain support outside the UK. In a United Ireland, any loyalist paramilitary won't have that.
There probably will be some violence but it will be nowhere near what the troubles were and will be more like a feud between drug dealing gangs which is essentially all they are now (and arguably all they ever were) anyway.
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u/GothicGolem29 Feb 20 '24
Even if they are they would still likely cause a lot of violence .
They won’t but hey can hide in cities or hills or other places were groups of that kind hide.
Idk if it will be to the same level but it will be a fair ammount and will intensify if unionists are treated poorly
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u/Typical-Analysis8108 Feb 20 '24
I said a border poll is inevitable. It is provided for in the GFA.
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u/theaulddub1 Feb 20 '24
Unification is though. Bury your head in the sand if you wish but it is happening.
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u/GothicGolem29 Feb 20 '24
It is not. You can choose to act like it will happen and get confident That doesn’t mean it will
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u/theaulddub1 Feb 20 '24
Like a boiling a frog. Brexit allowed the brits to cut you off and begin alignment with the South. When the vote comes everything will already be in place. It'll be an easy decision. Like flipping a switch. Do you think the British would allow for a border in the uk without their consent? They are you cutting you free and I like to think Paisley calling the prime minister of England his tealady was the final straw
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u/GothicGolem29 Feb 21 '24
Huh? The Uk is not cutting off Ni as seen in the safeguarding the union command paper. As alliance pointed out there’s always been some kind of small border. And in the command paper they’ve commited to tackling that to get it smaller. And everyone in the Uk can be British. I’m from England and I’m British. Many from Ni are British dame in Scotland and Wales.
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u/Particular_Fig_5467 Feb 20 '24
I live and work in the Republic and I have no issues with the Irish Government contributing towards infrastructure that will benefit people on both sides of the border.
Improved transport links between Dublin and Belfast can only benefit both cities and I think everyone apart from Jim Allister, Jamie Bryson and other assorted eejits will welcome the investment.
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u/fly4seasons Feb 20 '24
They also said they'd cover our EHIC cards after brexit. That never happened.
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u/Particular_Fig_5467 Feb 20 '24
No, but current EHIC cards can be used in Ireland (or any other EU member state) right up until their expiry date.
At which point you can apply for a GHIC card free of charge (according to the link below):
I'm not well-read on this particular topic, but I don't think anyone in Northern Ireland has been greatly inconvenienced by not being able to apply for a new EHIC card post-Brexit.
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u/TheIrishBread Feb 20 '24
For the love of god can we get some more transport links between Derry and LK.
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Feb 20 '24
To be honest, we need to rebuild a lot more of the old railway lines.
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u/naithir Feb 21 '24
I would love a Derry-Donegal-Sligo line. Would be life changing.
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Feb 22 '24
The Newcastle to Belfast line would be my preference... Anyone that knows what Downpatrick is like will tell ya a train would solve all that major congestion.
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u/zeroconflicthere Feb 20 '24
Anyone objecting should be made to drive on the A5 between omagh and Strabane behind an artic or a tractor.
An hour with probably less than 1% opportunities to safely overtake
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u/ByGollie Feb 20 '24
Friday night just outside the Sperrin Restaurant outside Omagh, multiple cars off the road - saw one on it's roof in a ditch whilst backed up in traffic jam.
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u/Tom01111 Feb 20 '24
Anyone objecting should be made to drive on an ice road to Siberia in late spring
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u/Olive_Pitiful Feb 22 '24
Anyone who believes all this shite is a fool. Many unionists have moved away from voting for tribal political party's since the signing of the GFA. They see the Union as being secure. The agreement was sold as a settlement. Many unionists don't vote as they are embarrassed at the state of political unionism. Im honestly stuck for words when I think of the people that claim 'more Catholics than Protestants shows a progression towards a United Ireland', seriously what nonsense - Many, Many, Many unionists have moved away from religion, just look at church attendances. No Unionists have not been bred out. Bigger families really (insignificant).
Now, what's being created is some sort of crappy echo chamber. Giving republicans a reason to vote for SF and Unionists a reason to vote hardline. The media are also at it, as I don't see anyone of the calling it out. Now I'm hoping that one person who reads this will maybe change their mind about being whipped up into some sort of tribal frenzy and go out there concentrate on the things that really matter like their career, health and family.
I expect all the downvotes and for you people I care. Hopefully, you can save yourselves from this crap someday