“if they chose not to abide by those democratic rules..”
After blocking the Northern Ireland Executive meeting yesterday, Sinn Féin’s Gerry Adams is in the US again, whether he’s still wearing his cookie monster watch isn’t clear.. And he’s been pointing, again, to an agreement that “falls a semantic mile short of a deadline”. From the SF press release.
Speaking last night in Cleveland the Sinn Fein President updated activists and supporters on the current crisis in the political process. Mr. Adams told his audience that “the current gridlock exists because the DUP has failed to honour commitments it made in the St. Andrews Agreement in October 2006. Specifically, the DUP has refused to agree a timeframe for the transfer of powers on policing and justice from London to the Assembly and Executive in the north.”
SF’s Conor Murphy was trying a similar, if less explicit, line last night on Hearts and Minds, to the bemusement of the DUP’s Nigel Dodds. Part 1 here.
The question remains, will failure to deliver what they promised others cause the Sinn Féin leadership to take the ball away walk out of the NI Executive.. or not? We’re definitely not in May, after all. At the relevant Assembly Committee meeting on Wednesday, NI deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness claimed [possible paraphrasing] that he wouldn’t be “sitting in a corner in a huff..” Adds Whilst I think that quote is accurate, the BBC has this
“This isn’t something we are going to fall out about”, [Martin McGuinness] said. “I don’t believe we are people who are gong to give up on the process. We are going to continue to work to find a way through. “I don’t think that there is anything in either of us which is about to give up on these issues, they are difficult.”
Tails, Tails – it was best of three.
dewi
I thought you might have taken the opportunity to correct Mick Hall and steve’s misguided view of devolution [in Wales]?
Pete – it’s a process – the difference in Wales is that there is a dynamic….with you there’s an inertia….a dangerous inertia.
dewi
“with you there’s an inertia..”
Crap. I’ve noted what others have said about the current devolution of powers.
Ok Pete – elaborate – it does seem dysfunctional at the moment – agree? What do you think needs to happen to make it effective?
billy
Your analysis is spot on. The DUP, TUV and parts of the UUP are playing a sinister game that will eventually rebound on them AS USUAL. Will they EVER learn? Their DNA doesn’t allow for powersharing with ‘Fenians’ and they want to kill it before it grows wings. Unionists see a weak, lame duck Gordon Brown and Labour administration in their death throws and are anticipating a Tory government in 18 months time. They hope that the right wing, anti-Nationalist, anti-Irish Tories will stay true to form, return to their old ways and take ALL policy on the North from their traditional Unionist standpoint. The fact that Lord/Duke/Prince Regent Trimble will formulate most of this Tory policy further excites Unionism and that’s why there is all this talk about UUP/Tory mergers, hence there will be NO movement on Policing and Justice this side of a Westminster election. Consequently a large rump of Unionism is deliberately feeding Republican frustration and wants to use the policing issue to antagonise and provoke Republicans to return to conflict which we can see with the growing dissident activity. This gives Unionists the excuse and fuel they want and need. Tories back in power, Republicans at war, Army back on the streets and Unionism to withdraw to it’s cave for another generation. HOWEVER as usual Unionists don’t see the wider world picture because on the horizon looms Obama in the WhiteHouse and NO Democratic US administration will play the Unionist game. In addition we have a Taoiseach in Dublin who really has NO time for bigoted Unionism and he will use the strong Irish/American lobby to influence Obama’s Irish policy. Looks like joint authority is on the cards with a Nationalist population majority looming large. Well played Unionism, your paraochial bigotry defeats you……AGAIN.
For all your false bravado, there is a lot more sympathy in the UK/Westminster and globally for the Irish Nationalist cause than there is for NI Unionism……….
this is the same old waffle that has been put out for years. SERIOUSLY please bring down stormont and see what you get from Gordon if you are soo confident in your position, really PLEASE, stop gurning and just do it. We are all sick and tired of your MOPERY