Cutting Off Their Nose To Spite Their Face.

[sandyRoe]

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?

[ToraToraTora]

I think the voters deserve a proper election. Rather than some shady deal.

[Gromit]

A deal is a bit meaningless because Sein Fein do not take up their seats in Westminster, so it is pointless them contesting anywhere.

[ynnafymmi]

Always remember to write SinnFein/IRA instead of just SinnFein sandy.As Gerry Adams has always said the IRA havent gone away.

[brainiac]

SF don't take their seats in Westminster, but do they take their salary?

[sandyRoe]

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.

[sandyRoe]

As far as I know the salary goes into party funds and they receive an allowance.

[ynnafymmi]

"its sliding into the mists of history"...not to the families of the thousands who were murdered mercilessly by SinnFein/IRA ,sandy.

[Gromit]

ynnafymmi

The Unionists had their paramilitaries too, who murdered catholics. Hopefully that is past history.

[ynnafymmi]

Hopefully,gromit.But the SinnFein/IRA were the most murderous of the lot.Even after the 1996 agreement ,the IRA or their agents or friends murdered 29 innocents at Omagh.Not that long ago the IRA or their friends murdered in cold blood Lyra McKee.Dont give me your"past history"friend.

[Gromit]

Saoradh are the political wing of the new IRA, not Sein Fein.

3 men are currently on trial for Lyra McKee's murder.

[ynnafymmi]

Can you not make up new ideas to excuse SinnFein/IRA of all the killings they have been doing gromit?They are all a bunch of IRA bastrads.As Gerry Adams said"the IRA havent gone away,you know".

[sandyRoe]

We have beaten our swords into ploughshares, asked forgiveness from our enemies, and offered them our forgiveness.

Time to move on.

[ynnafymmi]

No,sandy.No forgiveness for all you SinnFein/IRA apologists.No forgiveness for all the innocents murdered in the name of the Irish people.Stick your platitudes.

[perseverer]

^^ I'm no apologist for IRA /PIRA etc but I do wonder from some of your posts what you will be doing around July 12th.

[ynnafymmi]

Not a lot up here in Aberdeen.I was one of those who opposed the Orange Walk in Stonehaven recently.Why do you ask?