NationStates

So who will you be voting for (or who would you vote for) in the upcoming elections in Northern Ireland and why :

Democratic Unionist Party

Sinn Fein

Ulster Unionist Party

Social Democratic and Labour Party

Alliance Party

Green Party

Traditional Unionist Voice

I've added a poll for you to throw in your vote. Enjoy.

Personally i'm sticking with the DUP despite their poor performance in controlling the ridiculous actions of the PSNI and failing to stand united in the face of an increasingly PR manipulation savvy SF. They're the only real choice to maintain a strong front against the SF demands.

I'm not that big into NI politics what with all the awful parties in the area but I feel that I would support the SDLP.

Either SDLP or Sinn Féin, probably the latter.

Tiocfaidh ár lá.

Insaeldor wrote:I'm not that big into NI politics what with all the awful parties in the area but I feel that I would support the SDLP.

May I ask why SDLP?

Alliance.
I abhor sectarianism and idiotic religious quarrels.

Frazers wrote:

Insaeldor wrote:I'm not that big into NI politics what with all the awful parties in the area but I feel that I would support the SDLP.

May I ask why SDLP?

I generally identify as center-left as well as a unionist (although I support devolution measures and a regions ability to hold a vote on such and issue)

Dejanic wrote:
Tiocfaidh ár lá.

An unusual saying to see from an Englishman

Such a shame that NI elections are still so tribal. I'd vote Socialist Party.

Alliance looks nice, as it's non-sectarian and liberal.

Frazers wrote:

Dejanic wrote:
Tiocfaidh ár lá.

An unusual saying to see from an Englishman

It's not massively unusual for English people on the Left to support a united Ireland.

They all look awful to me.

Dejanic wrote:

Frazers wrote:
An unusual saying to see from an Englishman

It's not massively unusual for English people on the Left to support a united Ireland.

With IRA slogans?

If I were living in Northern Ireland, I'd probably vote for the Ulster Unionist Party. They seem like the most reasonable unionist party, and besides, Enoch Powell was an UUP MP.

Chestaan wrote:Such a shame that NI elections are still so tribal. I'd vote Socialist Party.

Better than the others listed.

Frazers wrote:

Dejanic wrote:It's not massively unusual for English people on the Left to support a united Ireland.

With IRA slogans?

The IRA doesn't have a monopoly on the slogan anymore, and sometimes yes, look at Ken Livingstone.

But I think it's possible to support a united Ireland without being some huge IRA supporter, just like how it's possible to support NI being in the UK without being part of the Ulster Defence Association.

Dejanic wrote:Either SDLP or Sinn Féin, probably the latter.

Tiocfaidh ár lá.

I wish I still lived in Ireland

Old Tyrannia wrote:If I were living in Northern Ireland, I'd probably vote for the Ulster Unionist Party. They seem like the most reasonable unionist party, and besides, Enoch Powell was an UUP MP.

The Ulsters supported murdereing Catholics

Old Tyrannia wrote:If I were living in Northern Ireland, I'd probably vote for the Ulster Unionist Party. They seem like the most reasonable unionist party, and besides, Enoch Powell was an UUP MP.

Enoch Powell the insane quasi-fascist racist? I thought you were better than that.

Benian Republic wrote:

Old Tyrannia wrote:If I were living in Northern Ireland, I'd probably vote for the Ulster Unionist Party. They seem like the most reasonable unionist party, and besides, Enoch Powell was an UUP MP.

The Ulsters supported murdereing Catholics

Sinn Fein supported murdering Protestants.

Dejanic wrote:

Old Tyrannia wrote:If I were living in Northern Ireland, I'd probably vote for the Ulster Unionist Party. They seem like the most reasonable unionist party, and besides, Enoch Powell was an UUP MP.

Enoch Powell the insane quasi-fascist racist? I thought you were better than that.

He made a very controversial speech about immigration for which he is widely remembered and with which I do not agree. He also helped create the National Health Service, abolish the death penalty and legalise homosexuality, was one of the few MPs to give a speech to Parliament condemning the Hola Massacre in 1959 (in his exact words, "In general, I would say that it is a fearful doctrine, which must recoil upon the heads of those who pronounce it, to stand in judgement on a fellow human being and to say, 'Because he was such-and-such, therefore the consequences which would otherwise flow from his death shall not flow'."), and actually called out one of his more racist supporters at a later rally for using the Nazi salute, having fought in World War II himself. I must reiterate, I disagree with Powell's thoughts on immigration, but I don't believe he was an "insane quasi-fascist racist" and in fact I admire him as a clever and principled politician who has been unfairly judged on just one regrettable speech.

I'm protestant but I supported what the IRA was doing

Benian Republic wrote:I'm protestant but I supported what the IRA was doing

The murder of innocents, the attempts at destruction of democracy, or the pettier crimes?

(no whatabouttery please)

Old Tyrannia wrote:He made a very controversial speech about immigration for which he is widely remembered and with which I do not agree. He also helped create the National Health Service, abolish the death penalty and legalise homosexuality, was one of the few MPs to give a speech to Parliament condemning the Hola Massacre in 1959 (in his exact words, "In general, I would say that it is a fearful doctrine, which must recoil upon the heads of those who pronounce it, to stand in judgement on a fellow human being and to say, 'Because he was such-and-such, therefore the consequences which would otherwise flow from his death shall not flow'."), and actually called out one of his more racist supporters at a later rally for using the Nazi salute, having fought in World War II himself. I must reiterate, I disagree with Powell's thoughts on immigration, but I don't believe he was an "insane quasi-fascist racist" and in fact I admire him as a clever and principled politician who has been unfairly judged on just one regrettable speech.

He was indeed a principled and reasonable politician, being against immigration during his later years is quite acceptable when taking in account his age and the fact that he was a man of good, but obsolete ideas and principles that were perfectly acceptable during his times, but quite controversial nowadays.

Frazers wrote:

Benian Republic wrote:I'm protestant but I supported what the IRA was doing

The murder of innocents, the attempts at destruction of democracy, or the pettier crimes?

(no whatabouttery please)

I support a united Ireland at all costs and would gladly lay down my life for one and I do not agree with the killing of civilians but innocents must die in every war it's a very sad occurrence but it's what happens

Frazers wrote:

Benian Republic wrote:I'm protestant but I supported what the IRA was doing

The murder of innocents, the attempts at destruction of democracy, or the pettier crimes?

(no whatabouttery please)

You seem like an ulsterman

Benian Republic wrote:

Frazers wrote:
The murder of innocents, the attempts at destruction of democracy, or the pettier crimes?

(no whatabouttery please)

I support a united Ireland at all costs and would gladly lay down my life for one and I do not agree with the killing of civilians but innocents must die in every war it's a very sad occurrence but it's what happens

Terrorism and warfare are two very different things. Real soldiers don't dress in casual clothing, hide in crowds and kill civilians with hidden bombs. The truth of the matter is that the democratic will of the Northern Irish people was- and is- in favour of retaining the union with Great Britain, and the IRA resorted to violence because they couldn't win at the ballot box. Not that Protestant militias weren't as bad in many cases; but those days are past now, and most people in Northern Ireland would be glad to see them remain in the past, I think. Only a few people like you cling to past grievances.