Motoring73 mins ago
Cutting Off Their Nose To Spite Their Face.
In the last general election a deal between the SDLP and Sinn Fein resulted in then each winning a seat in Belfast.
The SDlP would stand aside in North Belfast, which resulted in a win for Sinn Fein, and the SDLP would have a clear run in South Belfast.
Now the SDLP have stated they will run candidates in all N Ireland constituencies. While this might cost SF their seat in North Belfast it could also harm the SDLP in prosperous South Belfast.
An ill considered move?
Answers
No best answer has yet been selected by sandyRoe. Once a best answer has been selected, it will be shown here.
For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.It's difficult to untwine religion and politics here in N Ireland. Dirty deals done in smoke-filled rooms are nothing new . The DUP held North and South Belfast because they were given a clear run by their fellow Protestants and the Catholic vote was split.
The Fermanagh/South Tyrone seat was held by Sinn Fein with a majority of less than 100. Various unionist parties have already announced they won't be running a candidate to give one Protestant a chance of winning.
The term, "Sinn Fein/IRA", is very old fashioned. It's sliding into the mists of history.