The DUP over played their hand when May was forced out. The DUP would have had a customs union under May's deal and there would be no need for an NI protocol. As soon as Boris Johnson got his majority and did not need the DUP's votes in Parliament there was no need to listen to the DUP. So the DUP got left with the NI protocol.
@@MrAidzor The only problem here is while the DUP may possibly be slipping in votes I also Note that The TUV according to this video news report are gaining significant ground up from around 1% to 11% So The NI protocol problem is still to be resolved.
How dare these Irish people, on the island of Ireland demand that they should be allowed converse in and nurture their native tongue in government and elsewhere, on the island of Ireland . Who the blazes do they think they are?
I mean it's not even saying that they have the right to be heard in their own language, it's lifting a rule that makes it Illegal to speak Irish in the courts. Finns have more legal protection in Sweden than Irish in Northern Ireland.
@@mijicmugendo Only if you do it in court. Also how does that work with the name of the sinn fein party. That's Irish so mentioning that name in court would be illegal then?
@@DaDunge - I'm guessing proper nouns are considered to be universal - in the same sense that if I say "His name is Ichiro Miromoto", I'm still speaking English, even if I'm referring to a Japanese name. I suppose an edge case would be if I used Japanese grammar conventions - ie, if I put the family name first. Or if I used a sound that didn't exist in the English language. (None in Japanese, I don't think, but I know other languages have them.)
Why would they want a foreign, unpopular language everywhere? They only did it because the childish Sinn fein leave the assembly when they dont get what they want. I am sick of constant S.F propaganda
@@harrysmith3860 sometimes st Patrick’s cross gets used by churches here during st Patrick’s day, though that may just be in Downpatrick. You can and do see it at rugby matches sometimes too. Flags are never irrelevant in NI, they are just getting ready for a new fashion.
@@cgillespie8010 Yeah the St Patrick's flag for St Patrick's Day makes sense, although I've never seen it myself. I don't personally think there was anything malicious from TLDR here, but I'll be honest I have never seen that flag being used (aside from in a historical context) before, although that could be because I'm from East Antrim, the most unionist area of the north 😂
Two pieces of feedback: 1) the red cross on a white background is not representative of the nationalist community and 2) it's pronounced Lag-an valley not Lay-gen valley.
@@AnonymousXeno oh absolutely it can represent NI but the context it was used in in the video was to represent nationalism which wouldn't really be correct.
@@AnonymousXeno It doesn't. It represented the government of NI pre-Troubles, but never NI itself. Edit: ugh! I just noticed it's the saltire, not a cross. Yeah, St Patrick's Saltire doesn't represent anyone, never mind NI or the nationalist community.
Imagine being a DUP MP and actually believing the world came into existence 6000 years ago on a Saturday night (because on the seventh day, he rested).
One of the unintended consequences of the peace process is that after years of sitting around a table with major geopolitical players, NI politicians were conditioned to believe every squabble since then is a matter of international importance. The DUP managed to veto May's version of the NI Protocol when they held the balance of power at Westminster. It doesn't serve any unionist politician to acknowledge that they have no leverage whatsoever, or that they have no allies in civil society, British politics, or the international community. Business and industry leaders, NI nationalists, and the EU all want the UK to try to make this work - and even the Tories' complaints about the Protocol are plainly more of a negotiating position than a red line.
So I’m from NI. From what I remember coming up to elections there’s always a certain about of fracturing within the unionist vote. What usually tends to happen is that old fashioned tribalism sets in, and unionists fearing a nationalist victory will rally behind the DUP as the biggest party. This time round it’s not as clear cut, but socially NI is turbulent too. We still have radical actors such as the UDA, mass mistrust over policing (see Noah Donohoe case just for an example of that), legacy issues stemming from victims of the troubles still seeking justice. The riots a few months back show how vulnerable the Unionist community feels at the minute and radical voices like Jim Alister are stoking those flames. Long story short NI is not in a stable position right now for UK ministers to be using us as a political football
It's looking like confidence in the DUP is declining as they really have no control over what they are promising. This will mean other unionist parties will take on those voters as they have nothing to lose or offer except to hit out at the DUP. It's a real mess for unionist politics especially when Sinn Fein are going to be the largest party in Northern Ireland.
Noah Donohoe, noticed a lot of people pointing fingers at the PSNI over this but his personal belongings were in the hands of people from Irish Nationalist/Republican communities. Some one knows what really happen to that lad and are deflecting or keeping shout about it. No point blaming the police when the murderers are still running about.
The significance of the Irish Language to the Nationalist Community in Northern Ireland goes back a lot further than 20 years. A policy developed In the seventeenth century to "convert" the population of Ireland to loyal subjects of the British Crown. English speaking migrants from Northern England and Scotland were "planted" throughout Ireland, mainly in the northern counties.Their descendents, the loyalist community in NI see themselves as defenders of the Union. A system of laws Called the "Penal Laws" was also implemented which included measures to either displace the native population, or to force them to lose their Irish identity. This included a ban on speaking the Irish Language and teaching it in schools. Discrimination on religious grounds was also applied, the Monarch was the head of the Churches of England and Ireland. Irish Catholics and Mainly Scottish Presbyterians living in Ireland were forced to convert. The legislation which requires official state recognition of Irish also includes Ulster Scots.
sligo irish here ... and yes it was bad, our ancestors suffered.. but now we are blessed, any hatred is mostly gone. we still have rural hatred towards the english .... the past suffered, but so we could flourish. i for one am very thankful for the circumstances, a very bloody past... but we must remember that we are where we are because of our adaption to english.
@@ibrahimyilmaz4861 he clearly didn't. St Patrick's saltire was adopted by the Anglo Irish order which was founded by George the 3rd and never a flag used by nationalists to identify themselves.
Arlene fosters big mistake was not supporting Theresa Mays proposal for a customs border in the channel. She totally overplayed her hand. She has a lot to answer for.
It looks like the DUP are learning the hard way that it's not enough to just play identity politics if you want to stay in power, you have to be competent at governing too. Between overplaying her hand on Brexit and the heating scandal, Foster was clearly incompetent. Perhaps this is a reason why Alliance has grown.
@@Gardstyle35 what the actual fuck are you on about? Where did talk of SJWs come from? And what party is specific feminist (edit: the WEP make this their main platform, but other parties are feminist too!). I seem to remember a poll saying that Lib Dem members are the most like to self-describe as “feminist”, but none of the parties are trying to stop women from voting or earning money etc. The DUP has some nasty anti-women policies (eg illegal abortion) but most of the other parties could plausibly be called “feminist”. Feminism is just a subset of equality and is nothing controversial, we are either sexists or feminists, and very few people want to be known to be sexist.
@@gregoryfenn1462 no feminism isnt about equal rights, its about more rights for women. not killing unborn is anti-women? How is that. let me ask u, if its her body her decision shouldnt it also be his money his decision?
@@Gardstyle35 So you’re a deadbeat dad projecting your issues on random comments? Literally nothing abt SJWs or Feminists in the video or in the comment.
We've had 40 odd years of British debate over Europe. And honestly, I think we're only half way through that debate. The DUP promoting Brexit was always idiotic, as they failed to understand the lack of care about NI in GB. The average person in GB doesn't give a damn about NI, most will never step foot there. The whole concept of NI and its divisions are total alien to us. Polls show only over 50s support Brexit as a majority, while the majority in age groups younger oppose it - this isn't going away. I always supported an EFTA style compromise, but the Tories seem determined to piss off anyone who isn't a hard core (GB) Brexiteer. A total refusal by Westminster to take any responsibility for the mess, blaming the EU for the "wonderful deal" Boris Johnson promoted just shows how useless and embarrassing our government has become. The entire thing was foreseeable, indeed it was predicted. Now Westminster and NI unionists are stuck in position they can't get out of without breaking an international agreement. I'm starting to think a UK General Election with the Tories losing is the only way out.
@rylixav - Gleefully is over stating it. The poll was a YouGov poll just last week. It's indisputable that as a majority young people don't support leave - I say that as someone in their 20s. In fact I know one person my age that voted leave and even they admit they did so because their parents told them to. And also, there were many polls before the referendum that acutally had leave majorities.
"This isn't going away", it will go away, when these individuals grow up and leave their naivete behind. Unless you think political opinions are set in stone from puberty (hint: they ain't). Speak for yourself about NI. Just because your don't care/are ignorant or otherwise have an indifferent attitude to that place, doesn't mean others do not.
@@0w784g It won't go away - the only naive thinking claiming we 'held all the cards'. Saying the 'grow up' is the problem - for 40 years some did all they could to make the UK-European realtionship difficult, now we're here the same as saying 'get over it'. It's not going to happen, especially as this government has screwed this up royaly and many people have been screwed over by it. I don't believe political opinons are set in stone and I don't need your hints, but if you think people are suddenly going to become more anti-EU or even anti-EEA then you're mistaken. Just like this bs idea that critising Westminster's actions or Brexit is anti-British. As for NI, I'm educated on the matter - I know the history, the politics and the geography. Infact I've got degrees in International Relations & Development. But the fact is, most in England don't think about NI - it was bearly even metioned in the ref campagin. Hardly anyone in England can name more than two places in NI, hardly anyone could name NI's leader. That's not my ignorance, that's theirs. And you may not like that fact, but that's what I'm pointing out and that's the reality.
@@Wasserfeld. I've heard some half-baked arguments in my time, but this surely takes the biscuit. What do you think the average Muscovite thinks about the travails in Transnistria or South Ossetia? Moreover, do you think the average person from say, Exmouth cares for the political upheavals in Northumberland? Yours is a total non-sequitur of an argument. I'd take your purported degrees and demand a refund. Exchange them for a syllabus that let's you use the correct spelling of "barely" at least. Enlighten us on these forces that have made UK-Europe relations difficult for 40 years (I'm guessing you mean EU), reveal the evidence behind your bold claim that mistrust of EU will decrease over time, disclose the details of this international agreement the government is going to break. Hah! Your as ill-informed ignorant opinion-haver I've ever heard. The NI constitutional settlement is resolved. It's in the GFA. It's foremost tenet is the question of self-determination. While you can opine on the matter with your incredibly shallow understanding, no non-resident Northern Irelander get's a say on the constitutional arrangement any longer, especially not a self-confessed indifferent non-resident.
Agree with your comment, but just one thing: It’s EEA, not EFTA. EFTA is basically just a Free Trade agreement like the one there is between the UK and EU now. Although all of the countries that are *in* EFTA participate in the Single Market in some way, either through the European Economic Area or through bilateral treaties (Switzerland). So the confusion is somewhat understandable.
At 10:47, as a Irish man, this statement is extremely unlikely as we are rubbish at soccer and also no matter what, always cheer for the team playing against England
That's not strictly true, in most sports here are a few countries that are offensive enough to warrant supporting England. In athletics it's US v anyone including England, for example. And we'll give them a pity cheer when they're about to be hammered.
@@Infinitystar225 "Project Fear" was a term used by Leavers during the referendum, to dismiss any problem or concern about Brexit raised by Remainers. The idea being "You're just trying to scare us out of leaving. It won't really happen." Since many of these problems have in fact now become reality, Remainers have adopted this term to taunt Leavers, basically saying "We told you so."
It's not that surprising. The DUP inherently dislike anything even vaguely associated with Irishness, regardless of how innocent it is or whether it's to their benefit. Their siege mentality is *the* fundamental reason NI is a hot mess.
It's extremely old mate, penal laws I believe was it's origins. And as said in the video, their chosen candidate believed the world was 6000 years old and homophobic I don't trust them to take things normally
NI may be on the island of Ireland but anything that threatens the "Britishness" of Northern Ireland is controversial among Unionists... even though other UK countries already have their own Gaelic Language Acts.
@@aaronw2595 Depends on Scotland. Scotland leaving will kill the union stone dead and make it easier to convince the middle ground to leave what is left.
@@KaiObelisk no the union will survive realistically Northern Ireland is more aligned than the Scots. Plus both states would crash and burn without the economic powers of the union. Also I don't get why all these peeps are so bent on leaving combined we are one of the largest economies in the world and easily one of the best nations to live in. Leaving would collapse that and end any hope of a British renewed decade
@@0w784g First of all I didn't say that. Secondly, have you no knowledge of history? Each nation was considered a race and the (catholic) Irish were considered inferior in both England and the US until around the first world war. The concept of racism as primarily based around skin-colour is an Americanism.
It's going to be a mess, plenty of idiots on both side just itching to start a war. I'm glad my family have all left now but I still have friends in Belfast, which is not ideal. Britain needed a level headed negotiator in charge, then voted in a human clusterfuck.
@@olegperkopskiy2282 You don’t know much about Alliance do you? Most people on the Republican side would agree they are effectively watered down unionists (and the fact they’re taking votes from the DUP would add weight to that view). Not to mention they don’t care about anything outside Belfast and Co. Down and are the proverbial fence sitters on most issues.
It's hilarious to watch the DUP squirm under a protocol that they knowingly support but have 0 idea on the implications. Truly a classic case of "beware what you wish for". Pragmatism have never been a strong point of these fools.
NDNA was broken due to the economic border in the sea, NDNA set out that there would be no new trade barriers between NI and GB. With that broken there was no reason for Unionists to implement ILPs.
I believe “remainers” said from day 1 that Brexit was impossible because of the situation in NI. All Johnson has done is kick the can down the road a little (like he does with everything) and now he’s going to have to come up with a proper solution or apply for re entry into the EU. If he doesn’t there will be a hard border in Ireland and we’ll be right back to the ‘70s and the troubles.
Pretty sure that within the next 12 months the troubles will be back and worse than ever. I was not alive during the troubles but they sounded terrifying. BTW i am not Irish
@@frankc9186 I'm reminded of this quote from IIRC _1066 and All That_ : "He spent his final days attempting to solve the Irish Question. Unfortunately whenever he was getting warm, the Irish changed the Question ..." :-)
You say the reason for tensions over the Irish language Act is because of a 20 year debate which has become politically symbolic but this is more so due to hibernophobia from the unionist government. In a few days bonfires will be lit burning effigies and tricilours and slogans like 'kill all taigs'. This is more of an issue than is reported here
As someone who lives in the shankill I can't wait for bonnie night. Im allowed out of work about 4 hours earlier because the fucking clowns build one right beside where I work. So I get to go home and watch TV while they stand around the big fire like fucking cavemen.
@@icemanire5467 yeah was great. Got to watch a fire truck go speeding past my window cause the bonie was actually melting parts of someone's house and had to get put out.
cmon, he done pretty well to be fair.... lets not pick the shkin out of his hair. let me see an irishman discuss the absoulte fishnet of british politics in the past few years.
Then in a few days from now you'll see bonfires again with union jacks, Ulster flags, effigies and slogans like Brits out. There's nothing like giving both sides of the story.
I really appreciate the pace in this video; it feels less rush and clearer. Thank you for all your hard work. Even as a Frenchman living in Canada, I found the subject interesting and worth 10 minutes of my time.
@@BurningMad Mao killed between 15 - 45 million Chinese by trying to exterminate the little birds that steal the farmers rice. (Among other stupidities.) Brexit really isn't in the running. (Yet)
It is an Irish symbol, I've seen it flown in football matches, although I think it is supposed to represent all of Northern Ireland instead of Nationalists only.
Johnson will go down in history as the Prime Minister who brought the UK out of the Union. And Northern Irland. And Scotland. And Wales. "Great" Britain
Wales doesn't care. And I still doubt Scotland will leave the UK. When the reality of leaving the UK and rejoing the EU is explained, they will baulk at the idea.
@@JJL07 She literally forced the creation of the NI protocoll. Had she accepted mays deal of a customs EU customs union for NI, there would be no issue.
The Irish Language Act removes the last traces of the old British apartheid regime in NI. The hardline Unionist see this as the end of Protestant hegemony in the province.
Well, one of the main things done historically around the globe to put down a culture was to destroy their language. It's the fact unionists here still hold these views which is depressing. They still think they can define the world in their own image. Sadly, lots of countries have their own version of these blinkered bigots.
I'm from Northern Ireland and would just like to say thank you for not only this video but the TLDR channel as a whole. It makes politics simple to understand without any biased reporting. I think we are heading for a nationalist government and possibly a united Ireland in the next 10 years if all goes well under sinn fein. This is ever more likely with the utter failure that is brexit.
It's completely biased. I'm not sure if you know how social media works (or indeed, news media in general), but it does not involve frequently producing output in which your audience disagrees. If you find that the output of the channel accords with your views, then at the very least consider your biases are simply aligned.
They voted more correctly to leave the EU without adequate consideration for their internationally agreed treaty obligations. Closer observation showed that they could financially benefit significantly from the special Northern Ireland agreement. The DUBs put their prejudices ahead of their own best interests.
@@rusticpartyeditz The voting card clearly stated it was a UK REFERENDUM. It's the height of nonsense to then try and separate the vote. How far do you go with that.... individual cities, counties and towns? Everyone knew it was a UK referendum.
My favorite moment of this entire Brexit fiasco is the evening of the referendum, seeing some Unionists rallying in support of Brexit, then seeing the same ones protesting the next morning against the protocol. Not a huge amount, mind - but it happened.
Flags and symbols are always a tricky on for NI. The Flag you're using to represent Nationalism is a bit off the mark here. St.Patrick's saltire is seen as a British flag that's used to represent Ireland rather than anything Irish Nationalists themselves would ever use.
@@sashasscribbles Northern Nationalists do tend to use the Tricolour quite a lot, there is also the 1916 Irish Republic flag which sees occasional use, the 1914 Irish Citizens Army flag. The Tricolour is the most commonly used one though.
Also, the possibility of changing to a different flag in a United Ireland has often been discussed, so the Tricolour might not be the flag used despite the intentions of it's design. Many in the Protestant/Unionist/Loyalist communities see it as being antagonistic.
@@laryone Ohh, cool thank you for sharing c: Looked both up and yeah the tricolour seems like it'd probs work the best but the citizen army flag also looks pretty good eh not my place anyway, I hope the movement goes well c: Edit: Ohhhh thats really interesting, I'm sure whatever flag a united ireland chooses will be beautiful c:
Sinn Fein don't want that election for a couple of years; it's still borderline. There are a lot more non-affiliated than there used to be. If they don't get a solid vote for reunion it could be another decade before it comes again.
@@hedgeandhue I get that but even though I am pro a united Ireland. I still believe in representative democracy and shit is happening to NI right now that needs a government that is actually representative of the current sentiments of the population right now.
@@hedgeandhue I think that it will be impossible either way. Even if SF would win >50% of the vote (not possible, but imagine) they still can't get a referendum to vote for independence without support from the unionist because of how NI parliament is made up.
@@Eikenhorst Actually, the power to call a border poll lies with the secretary of State, not the assembly. Now, Sinn Féin could potentially pass a motion calling for a border poll in the assembly if they had the numbers (Nothing more than a declaration of desire, not a law or policy, simply a statement) then the Secretary of State would probably support that, seeing as that would suggest that the Nationalist electorate outnumbers the Unionist one
This is a great summary or what is going on in NI, because I was so confused about what was going on. Along with the fact that I live in Northern Ireland, just shows how confusing this really is. But I think that if there is no scandal with SF they can take the First Minister position, also I think that more people would vote for the UUP since Robin Swann was so good at handling the Pandemic as Health Minister. So that would be a good estimate of the outcome.
I am not a unionist and believe NI is in Ireland, not a colony in Britain. (which geographically includes England, Scotland and Wales). However Robin Swann would make a much more intelligent leader than the brainless DUP assortment.
But there is also the aspect that we still get some funding from the EU(I'm sure there are a whole load of astricts with that funding). So Northern Ireland is technically duelly funded by the EU & UK. Also I think that NI could be a Transatlantic Shipping hub, since all the different fees and customs checks can be done before they get to the EU and UK in NI thus saving the shipping companies money. Along with more International trade being bought to NI. Though this is another theory of Mine
Irish independence makes more sense than the Scottish independence. If Ireland becomes an independent country I believe it will become a win win situation in all spectrum.
Ireland is already an independent country. Its just the UK still owns a peice of it. That's why, in the Northern Ireland context, we use the term reunification (as in reunification with the rest of Ireland) rather then independence.
@@RobinKoenig1917 You're mixing the terms for the Irish state and the island of Ireland. The UK does not own a part of the Irish state. It controls part of the island.
@@rusticpartyeditz It could be said that Ireland is an independent country and that the UK owns a piece of Ireland, since the same name is used for both, but of course you're right that they're different entities. Still, nationalists would tend to speak in idealised terms by refusing to acknowledge their seperateness until forced to for beaurocratic or legal reasons.
Ha this is brilliant. Arlene and the DUP pushed for Brexit and a hard Brexit at that and the result is Northern Ireland ever closer to (re)unification with the Republic. They definitely made a mistake (from their point of view), both being in favour of Brexit and refusing May's proposed deal. What tragic fools they are.
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I'd seriously advise getting a few people from NI to look over these videos before publishing.
@@Lando-kx6so hey we sad brexit was just as bad a idea. But brexiteers just said we were wrong. So as I see it, united Ireland and a independent Scotland makes perfect sense nowadays. Saying otherwise means u are admitting brexit was a bad idea.
@@indogoUI I sorta agree We need to do this with thought, planning, and negotiating. So Scotland can transfer seamlessly and joining the EU is not very rocky. Plus make it as less traumatic to England 🇬🇧 Plus we now have a blue print on what not to do. Thanks brexit
Well I think this is the beginning of the end for unionism. The NI protocol isn't going any time soon, and if the unionist parties keep fighting it it'll make them look more and more pathetic Also please look up how to say Lagan and stormont
I want NI to satay in the UK as an English man but if it leaves I’d rather it become an independent country than join the Republic seeming as NI and the republic are too divided now and if they joined there would have to be some sort of NI parliament too
@@DTG-classified it would never work unionist majority is gone. It could of work, when it started but unionist gerrymandering made not work with sectarian laws.
@@noelter huh? I’m talking about if NI left the Uk or if the Uk broke up I’d rather NI become an independent country through the nationalist parties and the unionist
@@DTG-classified that solution was tried 100 yrs ago this Summer when they devised Northern Ireland on a map with a 'temporary' border and a Home Rule Parliament in Belfast ...
@@DTG-classified people really push this idea that there is a big north/south divide but as someone from Belfast I can assure you it's not really any different than england or Scotland's north/south divide.
i'm a 'unionist' but believe that NI should probably unify with the ROI and I'm protestant so that furthers the fact not all protties are unionist and hate unification
@@PlsGiveMeUser I've all but abandoned the whole Protestant vs Catholic thing. I know many Protestants who live in the South and don't view them any different than me. Why should Protestants in the North get any different treatment?
I don't think Irish unification is possible, due to the Crimean crisis being unresolved. But an independent NI joining the EU as a member state is a more probable prospect. What about a Celtic country covering Scotland and NI, is that a possibility? Speaking from the continent.
Good analysis. I’m from unionist background but have always been opposed to brexit. Unionism shortsighted view on Brexit, especially in light of the narrow result of indyref in 2014 has always baffled me. The status quo post indyref was what unionism should have been desperately protecting. Instead they mostly rejected that notion by backing brexit. It’s all over bar the shouting now.
The run up the 2014 result was the end of the status quo, by not voting to leave the EU inline with the upwell of English wishes resulted in Northern Ireland setting itself apart and the following deal making with the EU left us out on a limb. To put that in context, if Northern Ireland had voted 100% to stay in the EU we would have been out the door of the UK by 2015. You in effect voted against Northern Ireland's Membership of the UK.
So I learned that: 1) The UK should have never left the EU. 2) There should only just be one Ireland. 3) Brexit is unintentionally forcing Northern Ireland in a position to leave the UK.
Most importantly of the three above is that there is only one Ireland and the six occupied counties of the nine counties of Ulster are part of Ireland and irish
I agree except for point 3, that is just not going to happen without another civil war. For NI to leave the UK they need to have a referendum, and as explained in this video, even if the nationalists have an outright majority, they still don't have the power to do so without including the unionist, so that can't happen.
@@itsciver The Next Generation. Can't help you with the episode, but Data lists out a list of things that were accomplished through violence and the Irish Unification of 2024 is one of them. Edit: A quick Google says the ep is called "The High Ground", if you want to dig through Netflix :)
Excellent episode, thanks. It was a whirlwind explanation of competing political entities constantly evolving for support from a smaller body of supporters. Would it not be more productive at this time for NI Unionists to seek closer ties with their long standing commercial business partners in the Irish Republic for political stability?
@@adrianthoroughgood1191 I imagine so, though I imagine that is unlikely anytime soon, barring a massive political upheaval. Since it represents the "Other" faction, if Sinn Fein was the runner-up, they would claim the Deputy First Minister seat, cutting the Unionists out of the top two seats, though they would likely still hold positions in the Executive Committee. On the other hand, if the DUP (or another Unionist party) was somehow able to claim the Deputy First Minister seat, I imagine the Nationalists would be very unhappy, especially since the Alliance, although now nonsectarian, was originally born out of the moderate/centrist Unionists. The Nationalists would probably feel too sidelined for the government to be stable, unless perhaps the Alliance and Unionists ceded a majority of Executive Ministries to them in compensation. Regardless, though, I would much rather see a Sinn Fein First Minister
@@dairebulson7122 The FM and DFM have to identify as unionist/nationalist. Stormont could not function without that rule. Alliance do not identify as either and so cannot take either role.
@@rusticpartyeditz I mean, I'm well aware that's why they were made, I'm just hypothesizing if they have a legal claim to the First Minister position (I can imagine Alliance would probably decline the seat even if they had a plurality, so as to not throw the Good Friday Agreement into chaos) Still, I suppose Alliance representing the Unionists would make the traditionalist Unionist parties quite furious
@@dairebulson7122 I take your point but they would not have a legal claim to either FM or DFM (and with current polls they woild not be the largest party). You cannot decline what you are not entitled to. I suspect that if SF were the largest party at Stormont and Alliance the second largest, the entire executive would collapse.
If the DUP didn't agreed with the protocol why did they let the UK government sign it?And why didn't they suggested a better alternative, if they had one? When it comes to hard political solutions, political posturing can bring you votes, but doesn't actually help in anything. In the long run voters will see through you and will distrust you.
It’s a tough one over here, and that’s probably the nicest way of putting it. I was raised Protestant however I’ve now removed that and I don’t feel like I fall in either the Protestant or Catholic camp. The big issue is that the parties in Stormont are so territorial now that no matter what happens they’ll never change their ways. As a gay man I was relieved to hear that gay marriage had been passed however on the flip side the parties in Stormont are trying to diminish and even overturn that ruling which makes me feel like a second or third class citizen. The parties always say that they want to make everything better for everyone but they just use that as a catalyst for political “clout” so to speak. What do I think is going to happen or what should happen next? I honestly don’t know, and I don’t think any political figure over here has an idea either
Ehhh, no thanks.. Pretty sure NI isn't something we can afford even if they were all hypnotised into being okay with it. I've no interest in going further into debt.
@@godlovesyou1995 you say that like we joined voluntarily. The British stripped our country of its assets and let our people live in poverty and famine even when we were in the UK. The UK literally let its own citizens die of starvation as they were Irish and they didn't need a slave army at the exact time. Brits need to acknowledge their history and not just that one time in the twentieth century when they were on the right side of it.
Can you point to a time in history when there has been a United Ireland that was not under "English/British" rule? Fun fact you can't. When the island of Ireland is united as a single independent country free of any "English/British" control it will be for the first time in human history. TL;DR Ulster can't come home to something that never existed.
Am I correct in stating that northern Ireland is in a unique position being able to attract new inward investment by offering free access for exports from ni to both Britain and the eu?. If so the anti protocol protesters should promote this advantage rather than the consequences of the protocol. David McCabe dublin
Well they do not seem to be to be mainly trading in whatever is good for Northern Ireland but rather in what gives them a big slice of an irrationally unionist vote. So you are not mistaken yet beside the point. Sadly.
Unionists are split because of Brexit. NI as a whole voted against Brexit and 1/3 of unionists voted against Brexit despite the DUP huge enthusiasm for Brexit.
Wouldn’t that essentially frame the nationalists as essentially a foreign political force and a 5th column in Northern Irish politics? It wouldn’t be wrong but it’d be bad optics all the same.
@@cacamilis8477 So they’re a force of culture that wants to dissolve the only place in the world that represents the Northern Irish culture and annex it onto an existing state and that doesn’t scream ‘bad optics’ to you?
@@Bushflare If you frame it as you do here, which is how a unionist would see it, yes. A nationalist would argue that they live in a foreign occupied country that has colonised their land through plantation, subjugation and conquest for almost 800 years. Interestingly, although it's ridiculous to argue that there is no Northern Irish culture, because there obviously is, it is generally split into two: A unionist, protestant culture that aligns very heavily with English and Scots culture, and a nationalist, catholic culture that aligns very heavily with Irish culture. As every Norn Ironer regardless of affiliation would say: "It's a very complex sityation"
@@dorkangel1076 Very well. If you're the majority, this issue ... is not even an issue. Thanks, dude!! Stay fine and let's keep on having good relationships with European people.
@@gigimalvassora9682 I guess the 2021 census results will give an indication of that. I choose both but I wish I had thought to add European too before submitting it since a majority of us voted to remain in the EU as well...
DUP did not support the best interests of the NI people that voted them in. Instead they were more concerned on the British electorate and were conned by Boris. If the DUP supported Theresa Mays deal it would have prevented the Irish Sea border and Foster could have also kept NI in the EU as well as many other concessions........the best result for the NI people. Unfortunately the party is still living in the past and not moving forward, not supporting the best interests of their electorate. This will eventually ruin and break the party
The unionists have lost it might take a few decades for it to sink in unfortunately though, reunification is obviously the the end game now however long it takes.
Yeah they screwed themselves. Plus the British public just don't care or want rid of them including 3 of the main political bodies with 2 of them openly supporting unification.
@@rusticpartyeditz are land not yours go to england if u hate us Irish that much I personally will make sure people like u will be on my blade if the time comes to defend are right to our land.
I know your joking but bear in mind Scotland is not yours or England’s to give. I get fed up of hearing folk down south saying “we should just give them their independence “ . It’s not theirs to give. The future of Scotland belongs to the Scottish people. Which is why if the UK government continue to attempt to block a referendum on the matter then it will go to court and they will lose.
Ah! No no, do you forget ,our forefathers did the war during on century just for a cute princess married to your rude king! Keep your NI people and your scottishs even if i like meet you in a pub , share some beer together.
Who needs George RR Martin and his Song of Ice and Fire when there’s Brexit drama! Truly, DUP is a classical example of over-ambitious players getting tangled in their plots and believing themselves able to control much larger forces. THIS should be written down in annals of political science!
As a Lithuanian whos ancestors literally bled and died to keep our language alive, the fact that political parties make an issue out of using using Irish language in NI is baffling and disgusting. `
Yes very true. And the reason there is a british population in the north of Ireland is due to the ethnic cleansing of Irish people done by england in the 16th and 17th centuries. Then when Ireland won independence only 26 counties out of 32 became part of the Irish republic. The 6 counties left became part of the new state of "Northern Ireland". Now I am Irish but have nothing against british people at all. But the british people in the north of Ireland, the unionists are horrible. They exist purely out of hatred of the Irish. For example, every 11th of July the unionists make massive bonfires and burn the Irish flag. Its just horrible.
@@mcfcfan1870 " For example, every 11th of July the unionists make massive bonfires and burn the Irish flag." i'm at the loss of words, you would think the western cultures where above that...
@@MrCipasa I know, you'd of thought all that would be a thing of the past but the hatred that is still there nowdays between the British and Irish in the north of Ireland is as strong as ever really. At least there is no conflict anymore so that is some consolation
Brexit has done nothing more than alter the time line on a United Ireland which any sane and rational person knows is inevitable. The GFA effectively lays the foundations for a UI Referendum and the figures shown in the graphics in the video tell you everything you need to know as to how that will work out. There is no solution to the NI problem that does not involve bloodshed, the outcome of a UI Ref is going to go the way of the Nationalists and the Unionists will not go quietly. Brexit is certainly not helping however it's not the sole reason for the ongoing problems in NI.
Bloodshed is by no means the only option, far from it. To think so is to be stuck in the past. The peace process in NI has come leaps and bounds over the last 2 decades, it would be desasterous to forsake it all for more petty squabbling. Patience is the answer. The vitriol and sectarianism of the past is constantly on the decline, the newer generations grew up safe in peace, they for the most part have no taste to return to the horrors they learned from everyone around them. That patience is neccessary on both sides, although I think unionists are aware of where the trend is going and so might not want to fizzle out of relevance. All we can do is hope that more level heads will prevail
@@indogoUI No, the problem is some people want a United Ireland and some people don’t. That has always been the problem and a United Ireland will not solve that.
@@lizardlegend42 The fact you use the term ‘petty squabbling’ shows how clueless you are, have you even a scintilla of an idea as to how many lives have been lost over the centuries because of this ‘petty squabble’? Breathtaking level of stupidity.
@@trustmetours57 It was the same with the peace process, the DUP said it would be the worst thing that happened to Northern Ireland. Look how that turned out. The only thing that will give a true answer is of the island has a vote on it. Let the people decide
I hate to nitpick, but flags mean a lot to people from NI. The St. Patricks cross is not one that nationalists tend to use - it's one that the UK use as a less controversial alternative to the 6 counties cross. I think a tricolor, or perhaps the 9 counties flag is more appropriate for Ulster's nationalists THAT SAID, Thanks for covering NI Politics in a thoughtful way
The First Minister and Deputy First Minister have to come from the 2 communities in NI (i.e. Nationalists and Unionists) so a party that isn't affiliated with either won't get a FM/dFM. But it is technically possible that they end up in coalition if the joint Sinn Féin-DUP vote didn't form a majority, as a compromise partner.
It actually benefits SF being in power with hardline unionists, as it increases tribalism and thus benefits their base of voters (as opposed to the more moderate SDLP). Alliance, being non-sectarian, would interrupt this power balance.
As a N. Irish viewer, I think there's a bit of a realignment going on in our politics, and I'm not sure what's going to happen. I also think (re protocol) that a longer implementation period should be agreed between UK and EU, perhaps 18 months-but it also needs to be ensured that this time is used correctly, to make the required changes to businesses (the govt. should be very much involved in helping these changes happen). These changes will be partly about GB getting more familiar with the extra checks needed, but probably more about NI getting used to buying more from RoI and Europe. Perhaps the govt. could appease the unionist community in other ways, such as subsidising travel between NI and GB?! As others have said, your use of the St. Patrick's cross to represent nationalists was bazaar; I think you should probably correct this and explain what was going through your heads when you made that decision!
I'm only part Irish and don't live in Ireland, so my opinion probably isn't worth much, but I'd like to see the country reunited. I think things are a bit ridiculous the way they are now. Of course I believe Brexit was a huge mistake as well but nobody asked me.
Amusingly it is in the Union Flag - onr for George, one for Andrew, one for Patrick as these were Kingdoms, but nothing for Wales as it has a prince, not a King
As a NI citizen, I can see the UUP, SDLP, and Alliance Parties gaining MLAs and top jobs as there seems to be approval for Robin Swann as Health Minister, Mallon as Infrastructure Minister, and many voters are shifting to the Alliance party who are more politically neutral.
Really? Mallon has quite simply ignored the West, the strongest Nationalist area of NI, when it comes to infrastructure. She blocked rural road grants, no progress on trains, still a massive lack of public transport over here. I used to like the SDLP, but they’re not getting a single preference from me anymore
The worst case scenario is direct rule from Westminster. That could seriously cause a reignition of conflict in the North, paramilitaries are dormant and lack popular support to be anything more than scumbags with guns, a change like that gives them a "casus belli"
“Why are unionist so opposed to the Irish language” the two reasons given may well be valid in some universe. But in ours, the reason they hate the Irish language so much has no other reason than bigotry, hatred and a superiority complex inherent in political unionism
@@nicolaim4275 the vast vast majority of people in the 26 counties (republic of Ireland) do not speak Irish. They also speak English. The Irish Language Act is solely about giving legal rights to people in the Six Counties (Northern Ireland) who speak it as a first language. It’s not fear, it’s outright bigotry
Choosing a young-earther as a leader does not paint a great picture of the DUP. Like, if someone's going to latch on to a very young theory supported only by very selective reading of a compiled volume of repeatedly-translated bronze age poetry, that raises serious questions about their willingness to engage with the real world. Fixing this problem may require cleverness and adaptability on the part of the UK government. So probably not until after the next election, based upon my observations of the current party in power.
Kinda fits with their bedfellow, though. Johnson also argued in parliament that the government didn't fully understand the deal they negotiated themselves :D
I see three ways that this could go. 1, Johnson applies his NI protocol exactly as written, which renders Northern Ireland a special zone within the UK, and reinforces the border in the Irish Sea. This is likely to lead to more "troubles" as we saw through the 1950s to the 1990s, because some Unionists would see it as the beginning of the end for Northern Ireland being separate from the Republic of Ireland. 2. Johnson rejects his protocol, rendering the border in the Irish Sea softer and thus pointless. This would piss off the EU and the Republic of Ireland, because there would need to be a real border between NI and the Republic. This will reignite the civil war (yeah, I'm fed up with calling it "the troubles"), because it would be a direct violation of the Good Friday Agreement, and it will totally sell out the Irish nationalists. The EU and the USA will then both be mightily pissed off with the UK. 3. The interested parties bicker back and forth for long enough that Johnson gets ousted, and we get a non-Brexiteer government that will dare to eat much humble pie, go back to the EU and say "actually, we want to be in the customs union and the single market, so can we have a deal like Norway?". If the UK rejoins the customs union (and the single market and everything that goes with that), then the need for a border between the EU and the UK goes away.
Could a fourth possibility not be Scottish intervention? I would think that Scotland leaving the UK would significantly change the political calculus in Northern Ireland, since both the border-politics and the narrative of a 'union' would fall apart. It would basically be a win for the Nationalists.
@@stevenmcalister826 - Are you actually this naïve, or are you a corporate shill? It doesn't matter how good or bad the opposition is - if the media barons and the former tories who run the BBC prefer the government that's in power, that's the line they'll push. The 2019 GE was a masterclass in character assassination and propaganda. But that's actually irrelevant to my point. I said a non-Brexiteer government. This doesn't have to be a party other than the tories. Once they realise how electorally toxic Brexit is, the less ultra-right-wing tories will push for change within the party.
The DUP over played their hand when May was forced out. The DUP would have had a customs union under May's deal and there would be no need for an NI protocol. As soon as Boris Johnson got his majority and did not need the DUP's votes in Parliament there was no need to listen to the DUP. So the DUP got left with the NI protocol.
yeh, also partly due to the fact that the torries don't read what they sign
@Charlie Munster I always laugh whenever people mention “ oven ready” because it’s a funny description.😂
Serves them right
Why is the Nationalist community represented by the St Patricks cross
Its a catch 22
Honestly Northern Ireland is pretty much in a constant state of political crisis, its just a question of degrees
try 360 mate ;) lol !!!
Yeah, but "burning police vehicles in the street multiple nights in a row" is a degree kinda worthy of special recognition, innit?
@@QemeH That was a daily occurance for 30 years, and could be again if the good friday agreement is breached
I must admit, the slow drawn out political suicide of the DUP has been marvelous to behold!
I agree as with the English
@Charlie Munster they just need someone to hate and they certainly can't direct that hatred at their British overlords!
@@MrAidzor I believe if your English you might not get much fanfare in the Shankill road
@@oscarosullivan4513 I wouldn't doubt it. They aren't an overly inviting bunch of people up that neck of the woods!
@@MrAidzor
The only problem here is while the DUP may possibly be slipping in votes I also Note that The TUV
according to this video news report are gaining significant ground up from around 1% to 11%
So The NI protocol problem is still to be resolved.
How dare these Irish people, on the island of Ireland demand that they should be allowed converse in and nurture their native tongue in government and elsewhere, on the island of Ireland .
Who the blazes do they think they are?
Well things have improved. We no longer get sent to prison for speaking Irish anymore
I mean it's not even saying that they have the right to be heard in their own language, it's lifting a rule that makes it Illegal to speak Irish in the courts. Finns have more legal protection in Sweden than Irish in Northern Ireland.
@@mijicmugendo Only if you do it in court. Also how does that work with the name of the sinn fein party. That's Irish so mentioning that name in court would be illegal then?
@@DaDunge - I'm guessing proper nouns are considered to be universal - in the same sense that if I say "His name is Ichiro Miromoto", I'm still speaking English, even if I'm referring to a Japanese name.
I suppose an edge case would be if I used Japanese grammar conventions - ie, if I put the family name first. Or if I used a sound that didn't exist in the English language. (None in Japanese, I don't think, but I know other languages have them.)
Yeah, if they teach Native American languages in school in America they should teach Irish in Northern Ireland too.
“It seems the Unionists never intended to hold up their end of the bargain”
Surprise surprise, nothing new
Johnsson should be so proud he only had to screw them over once and they're already doing the same to others.
This is why you should negotiate in good faith
Why would they want a foreign, unpopular language everywhere? They only did it because the childish Sinn fein leave the assembly when they dont get what they want. I am sick of constant S.F propaganda
Hmmm... perfidious Albion
@@ronthered138 had to google that term and the fact that this exists as an actual saying is hilarious and depressing at the same time
Ah Brexit, the gift that keeps on giving.
It has to
Remember it was meant to be done in 2019 when boris won and we wouldn’t have to talk about it again 🤡
I mean, it could hardly be a better time for the nationalists!
@@electrochipvoidsoul1219 the euro nationalists?
@@e33d90 The Northern Ireland Nationalists (the ones mentioned in the video).
Don't think Nationalists would identify with the St Patrick's Cross...
I think it’s just because it’s meant to represent Ireland as it appears in the union flag. I don’t think he meant anything by it.
It was a really weird choice wasn't it? A flag that hasn't been used in a century and is inherently tied to the UK... Strange choice
@@yankeefan2k2 I don't think he meant anything by it either but it's not representative of Nationalists
@@harrysmith3860 sometimes st Patrick’s cross gets used by churches here during st Patrick’s day, though that may just be in Downpatrick. You can and do see it at rugby matches sometimes too. Flags are never irrelevant in NI, they are just getting ready for a new fashion.
@@cgillespie8010 Yeah the St Patrick's flag for St Patrick's Day makes sense, although I've never seen it myself. I don't personally think there was anything malicious from TLDR here, but I'll be honest I have never seen that flag being used (aside from in a historical context) before, although that could be because I'm from East Antrim, the most unionist area of the north 😂
Two pieces of feedback: 1) the red cross on a white background is not representative of the nationalist community and 2) it's pronounced Lag-an valley not Lay-gen valley.
The Red Cross can represent NI but yeah the Irish flag would be better
@@AnonymousXeno oh absolutely it can represent NI but the context it was used in in the video was to represent nationalism which wouldn't really be correct.
@@AnonymousXeno It doesn't. It represented the government of NI pre-Troubles, but never NI itself.
Edit: ugh! I just noticed it's the saltire, not a cross. Yeah, St Patrick's Saltire doesn't represent anyone, never mind NI or the nationalist community.
British flag is the flag of Northern Ireland kid, support the flag of your country
@@AnonymousXeno I prefer the old Ulster flag. Red Cross on a yellow background with a red hand in the middle
Imagine being a DUP MP and actually believing you can scrap the protocol 😂😂😂😂
Imagine being a DUP MP and actually believing the world came into existence 6000 years ago on a Saturday night (because on the seventh day, he rested).
Scrap the DUP
@@indogoUI
Don't worry, they are putting themselves on the scrapheap.
@@professorsogol5824 he wasnt an mp though. He was an MLA
One of the unintended consequences of the peace process is that after years of sitting around a table with major geopolitical players, NI politicians were conditioned to believe every squabble since then is a matter of international importance. The DUP managed to veto May's version of the NI Protocol when they held the balance of power at Westminster.
It doesn't serve any unionist politician to acknowledge that they have no leverage whatsoever, or that they have no allies in civil society, British politics, or the international community. Business and industry leaders, NI nationalists, and the EU all want the UK to try to make this work - and even the Tories' complaints about the Protocol are plainly more of a negotiating position than a red line.
So I’m from NI. From what I remember coming up to elections there’s always a certain about of fracturing within the unionist vote. What usually tends to happen is that old fashioned tribalism sets in, and unionists fearing a nationalist victory will rally behind the DUP as the biggest party. This time round it’s not as clear cut, but socially NI is turbulent too. We still have radical actors such as the UDA, mass mistrust over policing (see Noah Donohoe case just for an example of that), legacy issues stemming from victims of the troubles still seeking justice. The riots a few months back show how vulnerable the Unionist community feels at the minute and radical voices like Jim Alister are stoking those flames. Long story short NI is not in a stable position right now for UK ministers to be using us as a political football
It's looking like confidence in the DUP is declining as they really have no control over what they are promising. This will mean other unionist parties will take on those voters as they have nothing to lose or offer except to hit out at the DUP. It's a real mess for unionist politics especially when Sinn Fein are going to be the largest party in Northern Ireland.
Your pfp is literally me watching this video.
Noah Donohoe, noticed a lot of people pointing fingers at the PSNI over this but his personal belongings were in the hands of people from Irish Nationalist/Republican communities. Some one knows what really happen to that lad and are deflecting or keeping shout about it. No point blaming the police when the murderers are still running about.
@@robert6106 where did you find that information?
Yes from the horses mouth as they say
NI politics is such a mess. One person can hold the entire country hostage.
Pretty much.
I have to admit though that it is quite interesting.
@Kelly 22 Northern Ireland is effectively a country.
In fact, the UK as a whole has often been held to ransom by the Unionist vote.
@@owenlindkvist5355 Effectively, Northern Ireland is no more a country than my little toe is my foot.
The significance of the Irish Language to the Nationalist Community in Northern Ireland goes back a lot further than 20 years. A policy developed In the seventeenth century to "convert" the population of Ireland to loyal subjects of the British Crown. English speaking migrants from Northern England and Scotland were "planted" throughout Ireland, mainly in the northern counties.Their descendents, the loyalist community in NI see themselves as defenders of the Union. A system of laws Called the "Penal Laws" was also implemented which included measures to either displace the native population, or to force them to lose their Irish identity. This included a ban on speaking the Irish Language and teaching it in schools. Discrimination on religious grounds was also applied, the Monarch was the head of the Churches of England and Ireland. Irish Catholics and Mainly Scottish Presbyterians living in Ireland were forced to convert. The legislation which requires official state recognition of Irish also includes Ulster Scots.
Hear hear
I didn’t even know Northern Ireland had their own language.
Did you learn that in irish school by any chance?
sligo irish here ... and yes it was bad, our ancestors suffered.. but now we are blessed, any hatred is mostly gone. we still have rural hatred towards the english .... the past suffered, but so we could flourish. i for one am very thankful for the circumstances, a very bloody past... but we must remember that we are where we are because of our adaption to english.
Makes sense why there were a lot of Irish immigrants back then to the US (and I'm sure a lot of other places).
The flag of nationalists is the irish tricolour and not the British made up St Patrick's flag which has never ever been displayed in nationalist areas
The Irish Tricolour was made up by the French though......
@@CaptainX2012 it was a gift yes and we adopted it happily. What's your point ?
@@Lorcan666 Presented to the Great Thomas Meagher of the Irish Brigade no less
@@Lorcan666 he disproved the original comment who claimed the flag was a made up English thing which it clearly isn’t
@@ibrahimyilmaz4861 he clearly didn't. St Patrick's saltire was adopted by the Anglo Irish order which was founded by George the 3rd and never a flag used by nationalists to identify themselves.
Arlene fosters big mistake was not supporting Theresa Mays proposal for a customs border in the channel. She totally overplayed her hand. She has a lot to answer for.
It looks like the DUP are learning the hard way that it's not enough to just play identity politics if you want to stay in power, you have to be competent at governing too. Between overplaying her hand on Brexit and the heating scandal, Foster was clearly incompetent. Perhaps this is a reason why Alliance has grown.
@@BurningMad lets hope all the feminist SJW parties learn that its not enough to play identity politics as well
@@Gardstyle35 what the actual fuck are you on about? Where did talk of SJWs come from? And what party is specific feminist (edit: the WEP make this their main platform, but other parties are feminist too!). I seem to remember a poll saying that Lib Dem members are the most like to self-describe as “feminist”, but none of the parties are trying to stop women from voting or earning money etc. The DUP has some nasty anti-women policies (eg illegal abortion) but most of the other parties could plausibly be called “feminist”. Feminism is just a subset of equality and is nothing controversial, we are either sexists or feminists, and very few people want to be known to be sexist.
@@gregoryfenn1462 no feminism isnt about equal rights, its about more rights for women. not killing unborn is anti-women? How is that.
let me ask u, if its her body her decision shouldnt it also be his money his decision?
@@Gardstyle35 So you’re a deadbeat dad projecting your issues on random comments? Literally nothing abt SJWs or Feminists in the video or in the comment.
We've had 40 odd years of British debate over Europe. And honestly, I think we're only half way through that debate. The DUP promoting Brexit was always idiotic, as they failed to understand the lack of care about NI in GB. The average person in GB doesn't give a damn about NI, most will never step foot there. The whole concept of NI and its divisions are total alien to us.
Polls show only over 50s support Brexit as a majority, while the majority in age groups younger oppose it - this isn't going away. I always supported an EFTA style compromise, but the Tories seem determined to piss off anyone who isn't a hard core (GB) Brexiteer. A total refusal by Westminster to take any responsibility for the mess, blaming the EU for the "wonderful deal" Boris Johnson promoted just shows how useless and embarrassing our government has become. The entire thing was foreseeable, indeed it was predicted. Now Westminster and NI unionists are stuck in position they can't get out of without breaking an international agreement. I'm starting to think a UK General Election with the Tories losing is the only way out.
@rylixav - Gleefully is over stating it. The poll was a YouGov poll just last week. It's indisputable that as a majority young people don't support leave - I say that as someone in their 20s. In fact I know one person my age that voted leave and even they admit they did so because their parents told them to. And also, there were many polls before the referendum that acutally had leave majorities.
"This isn't going away", it will go away, when these individuals grow up and leave their naivete behind. Unless you think political opinions are set in stone from puberty (hint: they ain't). Speak for yourself about NI. Just because your don't care/are ignorant or otherwise have an indifferent attitude to that place, doesn't mean others do not.
@@0w784g It won't go away - the only naive thinking claiming we 'held all the cards'. Saying the 'grow up' is the problem - for 40 years some did all they could to make the UK-European realtionship difficult, now we're here the same as saying 'get over it'. It's not going to happen, especially as this government has screwed this up royaly and many people have been screwed over by it.
I don't believe political opinons are set in stone and I don't need your hints, but if you think people are suddenly going to become more anti-EU or even anti-EEA then you're mistaken. Just like this bs idea that critising Westminster's actions or Brexit is anti-British.
As for NI, I'm educated on the matter - I know the history, the politics and the geography. Infact I've got degrees in International Relations & Development. But the fact is, most in England don't think about NI - it was bearly even metioned in the ref campagin. Hardly anyone in England can name more than two places in NI, hardly anyone could name NI's leader. That's not my ignorance, that's theirs. And you may not like that fact, but that's what I'm pointing out and that's the reality.
@@Wasserfeld. I've heard some half-baked arguments in my time, but this surely takes the biscuit. What do you think the average Muscovite thinks about the travails in Transnistria or South Ossetia? Moreover, do you think the average person from say, Exmouth cares for the political upheavals in Northumberland? Yours is a total non-sequitur of an argument. I'd take your purported degrees and demand a refund. Exchange them for a syllabus that let's you use the correct spelling of "barely" at least. Enlighten us on these forces that have made UK-Europe relations difficult for 40 years (I'm guessing you mean EU), reveal the evidence behind your bold claim that mistrust of EU will decrease over time, disclose the details of this international agreement the government is going to break. Hah! Your as ill-informed ignorant opinion-haver I've ever heard.
The NI constitutional settlement is resolved. It's in the GFA. It's foremost tenet is the question of self-determination. While you can opine on the matter with your incredibly shallow understanding, no non-resident Northern Irelander get's a say on the constitutional arrangement any longer, especially not a self-confessed indifferent non-resident.
Agree with your comment, but just one thing: It’s EEA, not EFTA. EFTA is basically just a Free Trade agreement like the one there is between the UK and EU now.
Although all of the countries that are *in* EFTA participate in the Single Market in some way, either through the European Economic Area or through bilateral treaties (Switzerland). So the confusion is somewhat understandable.
At 10:47, as a Irish man, this statement is extremely unlikely as we are rubbish at soccer and also no matter what, always cheer for the team playing against England
They're implying that Northern Ireland is coming home... Don't take everything at face value
So the Irish are just like the English who always cheer for the team playing against Ireland. Only the Irish get a lot less joy from doing it.
@@Fiddling_while_Rome_burns My experience is that English fans are pretty indifferent to who Ireland are playing if it's not England.
@@Fiddling_while_Rome_burns I don't think I've ever encountered an English fan who does that, or even really cares who Ireland is playing against.
That's not strictly true, in most sports here are a few countries that are offensive enough to warrant supporting England. In athletics it's US v anyone including England, for example. And we'll give them a pity cheer when they're about to be hammered.
If only someone predicted this...
And another bit of Project Fear becomes Project Reality....
@@dorkangel1076 what is project fear?
@@Infinitystar225 "Project Fear" was a term used by Leavers during the referendum, to dismiss any problem or concern about Brexit raised by Remainers. The idea being "You're just trying to scare us out of leaving. It won't really happen."
Since many of these problems have in fact now become reality, Remainers have adopted this term to taunt Leavers, basically saying "We told you so."
@@YourXavier much appreciated, thanks
@@YourXavier except most of the predictions haven't come true
I'm surprised that language is so controversial. In Wales basically anything to do with supporting the Welsh language here automatically goes through
It's not that surprising. The DUP inherently dislike anything even vaguely associated with Irishness, regardless of how innocent it is or whether it's to their benefit. Their siege mentality is *the* fundamental reason NI is a hot mess.
It's extremely old mate, penal laws I believe was it's origins. And as said in the video, their chosen candidate believed the world was 6000 years old and homophobic
I don't trust them to take things normally
Labhraím Gaeilge go soiléir agus go héasca agus taim bródúil. Is fuath liom an DUP agus tá an taontas Marbh.
@@antseanbheanbocht4993 Yes lad
NI may be on the island of Ireland but anything that threatens the "Britishness" of Northern Ireland is controversial among Unionists... even though other UK countries already have their own Gaelic Language Acts.
As a nationalist in Northern Ireland, the whole thing has been great entertainment from our end.
Well I laughed for two months straight. Couldn't happen to a more deserving group than the DUP.
I'll be honest I think unification is just a matter of time at this point. I'm wondering what y'all think?
@@aaronw2595 Depends on Scotland. Scotland leaving will kill the union stone dead and make it easier to convince the middle ground to leave what is left.
i can imagine lmao
@@KaiObelisk no the union will survive realistically Northern Ireland is more aligned than the Scots. Plus both states would crash and burn without the economic powers of the union.
Also I don't get why all these peeps are so bent on leaving combined we are one of the largest economies in the world and easily one of the best nations to live in. Leaving would collapse that and end any hope of a British renewed decade
You neglected to mention the main reason Unionists are making "such a fuss" about the Irish language: anti-Irish racism.
As a casual outsider I would call them Anglo-Saxon Supremacists. The Irish part seems less relevant than the non-English part.
@@nicolaim4275 The Irish are a race now. Good one.
@@0w784g First of all I didn't say that. Secondly, have you no knowledge of history? Each nation was considered a race and the (catholic) Irish were considered inferior in both England and the US until around the first world war. The concept of racism as primarily based around skin-colour is an Americanism.
@@nicolaim4275 Nobody sees, or saw, people from island of Ireland as a different race to people from the rest of Britain.
@@0w784g Yes they did u 🤡 Irish and English aren't the same
It's going to be a mess, plenty of idiots on both side just itching to start a war.
I'm glad my family have all left now but I still have friends in Belfast, which is not ideal.
Britain needed a level headed negotiator in charge, then voted in a human clusterfuck.
Alliance party seems like the only one that is reasonable and doesn’t stoke hatred and division
@@olegperkopskiy2282 Eh, my view on the UUP and Alliance are equally good imo.
From my perspective the idiots are the 'divide and rule' English Eton class, who manufactured artificial divides in every country they colonised.
@@olegperkopskiy2282 You don’t know much about Alliance do you? Most people on the Republican side would agree they are effectively watered down unionists (and the fact they’re taking votes from the DUP would add weight to that view). Not to mention they don’t care about anything outside Belfast and Co. Down and are the proverbial fence sitters on most issues.
Somehow this is Johnson's fault
It's hilarious to watch the DUP squirm under a protocol that they knowingly support but have 0 idea on the implications. Truly a classic case of "beware what you wish for".
Pragmatism have never been a strong point of these fools.
They only thing they can say is no no no no no no no no no no no
@Charlie Munster I agree
Imagine power sharing with literal terrorists, that's pretty pragmatic
The sad thing about the Border in The Irish Sea for Unionist,s is, they cant travel anymore to England by Submarine.
We all live in an orange submarine....orange submarine...orange submarine !!!!
Fortuntately, it was a Fenian invention so they wouldn´t set foot in it.
@@CharlieOBrienTF They could go to Holland in one
@@MrStoneyburke I guess I should have said unfortunately rather than fortunately!
"Unionists never planned to hold up their end of the bargain" What!?!!? Say it ain't so!!!
I suppose they are pretty close to being Tories...
Är du svensk? Jag bor i Sverige o har en god vän med Lindkvist som efternamn
@@dorkangel1076 And on the 12th of July they become Pantomime Tories.
NDNA was broken due to the economic border in the sea, NDNA set out that there would be no new trade barriers between NI and GB. With that broken there was no reason for Unionists to implement ILPs.
@@dorkangel1076 Possibly sewn together at this point.
I believe “remainers” said from day 1 that Brexit was impossible because of the situation in NI.
All Johnson has done is kick the can down the road a little (like he does with everything) and now he’s going to have to come up with a proper solution or apply for re entry into the EU.
If he doesn’t there will be a hard border in Ireland and we’ll be right back to the ‘70s and the troubles.
Teresa May started kicking that can in 2017 and it's still going.
Pretty sure that within the next 12 months the troubles will be back and worse than ever. I was not alive during the troubles but they sounded terrifying. BTW i am not Irish
All Johnson has to do to solve most of the problems, is join the customs union.
@@frankc9186 everything would be simpler if Brexiteers weren't so obsessed with leaving anything with "European" in it...
@@frankc9186 I'm reminded of this quote from IIRC _1066 and All That_ :
"He spent his final days attempting to solve the Irish Question. Unfortunately whenever he was getting warm, the Irish changed the Question ..." :-)
You say the reason for tensions over the Irish language Act is because of a 20 year debate which has become politically symbolic but this is more so due to hibernophobia from the unionist government.
In a few days bonfires will be lit burning effigies and tricilours and slogans like 'kill all taigs'. This is more of an issue than is reported here
As someone who lives in the shankill I can't wait for bonnie night.
Im allowed out of work about 4 hours earlier because the fucking clowns build one right beside where I work. So I get to go home and watch TV while they stand around the big fire like fucking cavemen.
@@An_Cummanach 🤣 I hope you enjoyed your time off?
@@icemanire5467 yeah was great. Got to watch a fire truck go speeding past my window cause the bonie was actually melting parts of someone's house and had to get put out.
cmon, he done pretty well to be fair.... lets not pick the shkin out of his hair. let me see an irishman discuss the absoulte fishnet of british politics in the past few years.
Then in a few days from now you'll see bonfires again with union jacks, Ulster flags, effigies and slogans like Brits out. There's nothing like giving both sides of the story.
I really appreciate the pace in this video; it feels less rush and clearer.
Thank you for all your hard work. Even as a Frenchman living in Canada, I found the subject interesting and worth 10 minutes of my time.
Brexit: the greatest self-sabotage of human history
I'd say that was Hitler declaring war on the Soviet Union, but Brexit isn't far behind.
@@BurningMad Mao killed between 15 - 45 million Chinese by trying to exterminate the little birds that steal the farmers rice. (Among other stupidities.)
Brexit really isn't in the running.
(Yet)
@@JensNyborg it's certainly up in the top peacetime sabotages.
@@JensNyborg, It will be a contender if it basically leads to the Union Collapsing over the next 10 Years.
Dunno who's doing your graphics but that St. Patrick's Cross isn't really the flag of Irish Nationalists/Republicans
It is an Irish symbol, I've seen it flown in football matches, although I think it is supposed to represent all of Northern Ireland instead of Nationalists only.
@Dean O'Brien Ah snucks, really? Well at least St. George is real... right?
@Dean O'Brien If England brings it home than it surely isn't
@@siruranos9172 its just the flag Westminster put on their union flag to show ireland was on it......idk why its used as a nationalist thing
@@siruranos9172 that’s a different flag with a crown on it. The tricolour is used by nationalists.
Johnson will go down in history as the Prime Minister who brought the UK out of the Union.
And Northern Irland.
And Scotland.
And Wales.
"Great" Britain
Wales doesn't care. And I still doubt Scotland will leave the UK. When the reality of leaving the UK and rejoing the EU is explained, they will baulk at the idea.
@@rusticpartyeditz lmao whatever makes you sleep at night pally, thanks for analysing my country’s psyche for them
Hah! The TUV is barely a party and more a permanently angry man who's too angry for even the DUP.
Bold of you to assume Jim Allister is a human.
@@BoldOne8760 I know, but I was being generous. He's more of thumping vein attached to something vaguely human-shaped.
@@BoldOne8760 haha
When they were talking about the Irish language and the judicial law, all I could think about was
Black 47's
Courthouse scene.
Not to mention when tables turn later on
"ní hé sin teanga na cúirte seo"
It's a seriously underrated movie imo
I wouldn't say the conversion therapy vote was the cause, perhaps a final straw.
He went on to say that it was actually more to do with Foster not being forceful enough on the NI protocol
He said the vote was the proximate cause of Foster's resignation, but for some reason it says "ultimate cause" in the video.
@@JJL07 Yeah fair
@@JJL07 She literally forced the creation of the NI protocoll.
Had she accepted mays deal of a customs EU customs union for NI, there would be no issue.
@@Theorimlig think he just means the most recent cause idk mate
The Irish Language Act removes the last traces of the old British apartheid regime in NI.
The hardline Unionist see this as the end of Protestant hegemony in the province.
Well, one of the main things done historically around the globe to put down a culture was to destroy their language. It's the fact unionists here still hold these views which is depressing. They still think they can define the world in their own image. Sadly, lots of countries have their own version of these blinkered bigots.
The apartheid is a self-imposed one by the extremes. It's beyond pathetic.
I'm from Northern Ireland and would just like to say thank you for not only this video but the TLDR channel as a whole. It makes politics simple to understand without any biased reporting. I think we are heading for a nationalist government and possibly a united Ireland in the next 10 years if all goes well under sinn fein. This is ever more likely with the utter failure that is brexit.
It's completely biased. I'm not sure if you know how social media works (or indeed, news media in general), but it does not involve frequently producing output in which your audience disagrees. If you find that the output of the channel accords with your views, then at the very least consider your biases are simply aligned.
The People of North of Ireland voted to stay in the European Union . Surly that says the people spoke.
The only will of the people that counts is the english will.
They voted more correctly to leave the EU without adequate consideration for their internationally agreed treaty obligations.
Closer observation showed that they could financially benefit significantly from the special Northern Ireland agreement.
The DUBs put their prejudices ahead of their own best interests.
@@pulmo1 how did they vote to leave the EU? I thought a majority in NI voted remain?
As part of the Uk, we really had no say. England swung it.
@@rusticpartyeditz The voting card clearly stated it was a UK REFERENDUM. It's the height of nonsense to then try and separate the vote. How far do you go with that.... individual cities, counties and towns? Everyone knew it was a UK referendum.
If this video doesn't start with "in 1517, a monk named Martain Luther..." then the question in the title has not been given due thought!
Skipping the Norman invasion of Ireland? Look at this guy only looking at modern history!
Pah, modern history. You should start with the First Council of Nicene in 325... 😉
@@MartinDeHill Yep. Every modern Irish history should begin with Dermot MacMurrough and Strongbow from around 1160 onwards.
@@KaiObelisk Idk like the plantation is an equally good place to start 😉
The orangists are calvinist not Lutheran !
My favorite moment of this entire Brexit fiasco is the evening of the referendum, seeing some Unionists rallying in support of Brexit, then seeing the same ones protesting the next morning against the protocol. Not a huge amount, mind - but it happened.
Oh god they’re going to piss off a lot of people by using the St Patrick’s cross
gonna piss off a lot of ppl just putting out this video lmao
I wouldn't worry about it, it's a English problem just like Jeffrey and Brexshit.
😁
Flags and symbols are always a tricky on for NI. The Flag you're using to represent Nationalism is a bit off the mark here. St.Patrick's saltire is seen as a British flag that's used to represent Ireland rather than anything Irish Nationalists themselves would ever use.
I'm curious, what flag would they identify with for rn? c:
The Irish Tricolor eventually ofc but like, for the nationalist movement itself?
@@sashasscribbles Northern Nationalists do tend to use the Tricolour quite a lot, there is also the 1916 Irish Republic flag which sees occasional use, the 1914 Irish Citizens Army flag. The Tricolour is the most commonly used one though.
Also, the possibility of changing to a different flag in a United Ireland has often been discussed, so the Tricolour might not be the flag used despite the intentions of it's design. Many in the Protestant/Unionist/Loyalist communities see it as being antagonistic.
@@laryone Ohh, cool thank you for sharing c:
Looked both up and yeah the tricolour seems like it'd probs work the best but the citizen army flag also looks pretty good
eh not my place anyway, I hope the movement goes well c:
Edit: Ohhhh thats really interesting, I'm sure whatever flag a united ireland chooses will be beautiful c:
Antagonistic to Unionists? But a third of the flag is orange, the unionist colour par excellence, surely?
It seems like an election is needed to find out what the people of NI actually want the future to look like.
Sinn Fein don't want that election for a couple of years; it's still borderline. There are a lot more non-affiliated than there used to be. If they don't get a solid vote for reunion it could be another decade before it comes again.
@@hedgeandhue I get that but even though I am pro a united Ireland. I still believe in representative democracy and shit is happening to NI right now that needs a government that is actually representative of the current sentiments of the population right now.
@@hedgeandhue I think that it will be impossible either way. Even if SF would win >50% of the vote (not possible, but imagine) they still can't get a referendum to vote for independence without support from the unionist because of how NI parliament is made up.
@@hedgeandhue We’re talking about an election, not a referendum.
@@Eikenhorst Actually, the power to call a border poll lies with the secretary of State, not the assembly. Now, Sinn Féin could potentially pass a motion calling for a border poll in the assembly if they had the numbers (Nothing more than a declaration of desire, not a law or policy, simply a statement) then the Secretary of State would probably support that, seeing as that would suggest that the Nationalist electorate outnumbers the Unionist one
This is a great summary or what is going on in NI, because I was so confused about what was going on. Along with the fact that I live in Northern Ireland, just shows how confusing this really is. But I think that if there is no scandal with SF they can take the First Minister position, also I think that more people would vote for the UUP since Robin Swann was so good at handling the Pandemic as Health Minister. So that would be a good estimate of the outcome.
I am not a unionist and believe NI is in Ireland, not a colony in Britain. (which geographically includes England, Scotland and Wales). However Robin Swann would make a much more intelligent leader than the brainless DUP assortment.
@@benangel3268 But not as entertaining.
But there is also the aspect that we still get some funding from the EU(I'm sure there are a whole load of astricts with that funding). So Northern Ireland is technically duelly funded by the EU & UK. Also I think that NI could be a Transatlantic Shipping hub, since all the different fees and customs checks can be done before they get to the EU and UK in NI thus saving the shipping companies money. Along with more International trade being bought to NI. Though this is another theory of Mine
@Adam Carroll if that come, I’ll be playing Hell Fire from Hunchback of Note a Damè.
@@Lite_Fare
No, that's true. It may be tragic but it can be entertaining.
Since when has St Patrick's cross been the flag of irish nationalism tldr?
Irish independence makes more sense than the Scottish independence. If Ireland becomes an independent country I believe it will become a win win situation in all spectrum.
Except for whoever has to manage our school bus budget.
Ireland is already an independent country. Its just the UK still owns a peice of it. That's why, in the Northern Ireland context, we use the term reunification (as in reunification with the rest of Ireland) rather then independence.
@@RobinKoenig1917 You're mixing the terms for the Irish state and the island of Ireland. The UK does not own a part of the Irish state. It controls part of the island.
@@rusticpartyeditz It could be said that Ireland is an independent country and that the UK owns a piece of Ireland, since the same name is used for both, but of course you're right that they're different entities. Still, nationalists would tend to speak in idealised terms by refusing to acknowledge their seperateness until forced to for beaurocratic or legal reasons.
@@hedgeandhue underrated comment lol
This Poots fellow would do well in Alabama.
I come from Eastern Europe, but damn I got the reference. :D
Ha this is brilliant. Arlene and the DUP pushed for Brexit and a hard Brexit at that and the result is Northern Ireland ever closer to (re)unification with the Republic.
They definitely made a mistake (from their point of view), both being in favour of Brexit and refusing May's proposed deal. What tragic fools they are.
I'd seriously advise getting a few people from NI to look over these videos before publishing.
Definitely
Hasn't changed my opinion.
"Psychological trauma for unionists" might be a good thing..
Great to see some truly impartial reporting on the issue!
I'm just looking forward to a united Ireland and a free Scotland, thanks Brexit!
A united Ireland now would be a terrible idea & still don't Scotland leaving
@@Lando-kx6so hey we sad brexit was just as bad a idea. But brexiteers just said we were wrong.
So as I see it, united Ireland and a independent Scotland makes perfect sense nowadays.
Saying otherwise means u are admitting brexit was a bad idea.
@@Lando-kx6so It would take years to implement so it wouldn't be "right now"
@@indogoUI I sorta agree
We need to do this with thought, planning, and negotiating.
So Scotland can transfer seamlessly and joining the EU is not very rocky.
Plus make it as less traumatic to England 🇬🇧
Plus we now have a blue print on what not to do. Thanks brexit
@@thewingedhussar4188 You would be happy with the unionist reaction to a United Ireland? It would be civil war.
Use of St Patrick's Cross to represent the Irish Nationalist and Irish language is quite frankly a little disappointing.
Well I think this is the beginning of the end for unionism. The NI protocol isn't going any time soon, and if the unionist parties keep fighting it it'll make them look more and more pathetic
Also please look up how to say Lagan and stormont
Being a nationalist in northern ireland its good to see our "country" getting the spot light for once
I want NI to satay in the UK as an English man but if it leaves I’d rather it become an independent country than join the Republic seeming as NI and the republic are too divided now and if they joined there would have to be some sort of NI parliament too
@@DTG-classified it would never work unionist majority is gone. It could of work, when it started but unionist gerrymandering made not work with sectarian laws.
@@noelter huh? I’m talking about if NI left the Uk or if the Uk broke up I’d rather NI become an independent country through the nationalist parties and the unionist
@@DTG-classified that solution was tried 100 yrs ago this Summer when they devised Northern Ireland on a map with a 'temporary' border and a Home Rule Parliament in Belfast ...
@@DTG-classified people really push this idea that there is a big north/south divide but as someone from Belfast I can assure you it's not really any different than england or Scotland's north/south divide.
The way I see it Irish unification is almost inevitable now but that's just my opinion.
i'm a 'unionist' but believe that NI should probably unify with the ROI and I'm protestant so that furthers the fact not all protties are unionist and hate unification
@@PlsGiveMeUser Yeah, that stereotype is a bit outdated now, hope people will realize that soon.
@@PlsGiveMeUser I've all but abandoned the whole Protestant vs Catholic thing. I know many Protestants who live in the South and don't view them any different than me. Why should Protestants in the North get any different treatment?
I don't think Irish unification is possible, due to the Crimean crisis being unresolved.
But an independent NI joining the EU as a member state is a more probable prospect.
What about a Celtic country covering Scotland and NI, is that a possibility?
Speaking from the continent.
@@manufer2 I don't think there's much support for a Scotland-NI independent state, though that would be VERY interesting to see.
Good analysis. I’m from unionist background but have always been opposed to brexit. Unionism shortsighted view on Brexit, especially in light of the narrow result of indyref in 2014 has always baffled me. The status quo post indyref was what unionism should have been desperately protecting. Instead they mostly rejected that notion by backing brexit. It’s all over bar the shouting now.
The run up the 2014 result was the end of the status quo, by not voting to leave the EU inline with the upwell of English wishes resulted in Northern Ireland setting itself apart and the following deal making with the EU left us out on a limb. To put that in context, if Northern Ireland had voted 100% to stay in the EU we would have been out the door of the UK by 2015. You in effect voted against Northern Ireland's Membership of the UK.
Honestly the splitting unionist vote shows yet another problem with FPTP and not a proportional system...
We don’t have FPTP we have STV
They don't use FPTP. Nice work undermining your own argument.
@@0w784g they do in the general elections, that was what I was referring to, sorry if it wasn't clear enough
So I learned that:
1) The UK should have never left the EU.
2) There should only just be one Ireland.
3) Brexit is unintentionally forcing Northern Ireland in a position to leave the UK.
Most importantly of the three above is that there is only one Ireland and the six occupied counties of the nine counties of Ulster are part of Ireland and irish
I agree except for point 3, that is just not going to happen without another civil war. For NI to leave the UK they need to have a referendum, and as explained in this video, even if the nationalists have an outright majority, they still don't have the power to do so without including the unionist, so that can't happen.
Star Trek almost predicted this… 2024 is coming folks.
Wait, which Star Trek and which Episode?
@@itsciver The Next Generation. Can't help you with the episode, but Data lists out a list of things that were accomplished through violence and the Irish Unification of 2024 is one of them.
Edit: A quick Google says the ep is called "The High Ground", if you want to dig through Netflix :)
@@jamielockdown wow, thank you! 🥰
Have the Simpsons predicted it? They are the other most excellent oracle (who else got the Trump presidency?)
@@jamielockdown oh god Star Trek predicted the second troubles
DUP stands for Don't Understand Politics. Don't Understand Protocol.
They don't have a future.
There will a couple of mistakes but all-in-all a very comprehensive overview of what is going on here at the minute. Good job!
Having a guy who thinks the world is 6k years old as a head of governement is a BAD thing.
I needed not hear furthur discussion
Excellent episode, thanks. It was a whirlwind explanation of competing political entities constantly evolving for support from a smaller body of supporters. Would it not be more productive at this time for NI Unionists to seek closer ties with their long standing commercial business partners in the Irish Republic for political stability?
Productive, sure, but they're fundamentally ideologically opposed to the idea.
A Nationalist (Sinn Fein) First Minister would certainly be interesting, even if it is largely a cosmetic or symbolic change
I would love to see what happened if the Alliance party was the largest! That would make choosing the deputy First minister tricky!
@@adrianthoroughgood1191 I imagine so, though I imagine that is unlikely anytime soon, barring a massive political upheaval.
Since it represents the "Other" faction, if Sinn Fein was the runner-up, they would claim the Deputy First Minister seat, cutting the Unionists out of the top two seats, though they would likely still hold positions in the Executive Committee.
On the other hand, if the DUP (or another Unionist party) was somehow able to claim the Deputy First Minister seat, I imagine the Nationalists would be very unhappy, especially since the Alliance, although now nonsectarian, was originally born out of the moderate/centrist Unionists. The Nationalists would probably feel too sidelined for the government to be stable, unless perhaps the Alliance and Unionists ceded a majority of Executive Ministries to them in compensation.
Regardless, though, I would much rather see a Sinn Fein First Minister
@@dairebulson7122 The FM and DFM have to identify as unionist/nationalist. Stormont could not function without that rule. Alliance do not identify as either and so cannot take either role.
@@rusticpartyeditz I mean, I'm well aware that's why they were made, I'm just hypothesizing if they have a legal claim to the First Minister position
(I can imagine Alliance would probably decline the seat even if they had a plurality, so as to not throw the Good Friday Agreement into chaos)
Still, I suppose Alliance representing the Unionists would make the traditionalist Unionist parties quite furious
@@dairebulson7122 I take your point but they would not have a legal claim to either FM or DFM (and with current polls they woild not be the largest party). You cannot decline what you are not entitled to.
I suspect that if SF were the largest party at Stormont and Alliance the second largest, the entire executive would collapse.
If the DUP didn't agreed with the protocol why did they let the UK government sign it?And why didn't they suggested a better alternative, if they had one? When it comes to hard political solutions, political posturing can bring you votes, but doesn't actually help in anything. In the long run voters will see through you and will distrust you.
It’s a tough one over here, and that’s probably the nicest way of putting it. I was raised Protestant however I’ve now removed that and I don’t feel like I fall in either the Protestant or Catholic camp. The big issue is that the parties in Stormont are so territorial now that no matter what happens they’ll never change their ways.
As a gay man I was relieved to hear that gay marriage had been passed however on the flip side the parties in Stormont are trying to diminish and even overturn that ruling which makes me feel like a second or third class citizen. The parties always say that they want to make everything better for everyone but they just use that as a catalyst for political “clout” so to speak.
What do I think is going to happen or what should happen next? I honestly don’t know, and I don’t think any political figure over here has an idea either
I'm starting to feel like I'm following a never ending soap serie. At least I'm getting educated while following the drama.
It's coming home, it's coming home, it's coming- ULSTER'S COMING HOME
Ehhh, no thanks.. Pretty sure NI isn't something we can afford even if they were all hypnotised into being okay with it. I've no interest in going further into debt.
Ireland should come back to uk
@@godlovesyou1995 you say that like we joined voluntarily. The British stripped our country of its assets and let our people live in poverty and famine even when we were in the UK. The UK literally let its own citizens die of starvation as they were Irish and they didn't need a slave army at the exact time. Brits need to acknowledge their history and not just that one time in the twentieth century when they were on the right side of it.
@@godlovesyou1995 Said no former English colony ever. Yes, English colony. 'UK' is nothing more than a euphemism for 'English Empire'.
Can you point to a time in history when there has been a United Ireland that was not under "English/British" rule? Fun fact you can't. When the island of Ireland is united as a single independent country free of any "English/British" control it will be for the first time in human history. TL;DR Ulster can't come home to something that never existed.
Am I correct in stating that northern Ireland is in a unique position being able to attract new inward investment by offering free access for exports from ni to both Britain and the eu?. If so the anti protocol protesters should promote this advantage rather than the consequences of the protocol. David McCabe dublin
Well they do not seem to be to be mainly trading in whatever is good for Northern Ireland but rather in what gives them a big slice of an irrationally unionist vote. So you are not mistaken yet beside the point. Sadly.
Have you done a video on the cash for ash scandal? I’ve never heard of it before and struggling to find much on TH-cam about it
Unionists are split because of Brexit. NI as a whole voted against Brexit and 1/3 of unionists voted against Brexit despite the DUP huge enthusiasm for Brexit.
Just wondering whats your reasoning for using the saint patricks cross for nationalist rather than the irish flag?
Wouldn’t that essentially frame the nationalists as essentially a foreign political force and a 5th column in Northern Irish politics?
It wouldn’t be wrong but it’d be bad optics all the same.
Probably to avoid conflating "people in Northern Ireland who want to live in [RO]Ireland" with "the country of Ireland".
@@cacamilis8477
So they’re a force of culture that wants to dissolve the only place in the world that represents the Northern Irish culture and annex it onto an existing state and that doesn’t scream ‘bad optics’ to you?
@@Bushflare If you frame it as you do here, which is how a unionist would see it, yes. A nationalist would argue that they live in a foreign occupied country that has colonised their land through plantation, subjugation and conquest for almost 800 years. Interestingly, although it's ridiculous to argue that there is no Northern Irish culture, because there obviously is, it is generally split into two: A unionist, protestant culture that aligns very heavily with English and Scots culture, and a nationalist, catholic culture that aligns very heavily with Irish culture.
As every Norn Ironer regardless of affiliation would say: "It's a very complex sityation"
@@cacamilis8477
Did someone delete your other comments?
‘UK’ is falling apart. Thanks to the Tories.
Not necessarily a bad thing…
Decolonization in action!
The Sooner they realize they're northern Irish (and not british), the better it is.
A lot of us like to be both.
@@dorkangel1076 Very well. If you're the majority, this issue ... is not even an issue.
Thanks, dude!!
Stay fine and let's keep on having good relationships with European people.
@@gigimalvassora9682 I guess the 2021 census results will give an indication of that. I choose both but I wish I had thought to add European too before submitting it since a majority of us voted to remain in the EU as well...
@@dorkangel1076 Yes, I know that in the end, NI has been dragged out from the EU.
Half them are British
DUP did not support the best interests of the NI people that voted them in. Instead they were more concerned on the British electorate and were conned by Boris. If the DUP supported Theresa Mays deal it would have prevented the Irish Sea border and Foster could have also kept NI in the EU as well as many other concessions........the best result for the NI people. Unfortunately the party is still living in the past and not moving forward, not supporting the best interests of their electorate. This will eventually ruin and break the party
I've been asking for this for so long!!!!
The unionists have lost it might take a few decades for it to sink in unfortunately though, reunification is obviously the the end game now however long it takes.
Bring it on. Better hope I'm not alive then. From a unionist.
Yeah they screwed themselves. Plus the British public just don't care or want rid of them including 3 of the main political bodies with 2 of them openly supporting unification.
@@rusticpartyeditz are land not yours go to england if u hate us Irish that much I personally will make sure people like u will be on my blade if the time comes to defend are right to our land.
as a neutral solution we should just give scotland and northern ireland to france.
I know your joking but bear in mind Scotland is not yours or England’s to give. I get fed up of hearing folk down south saying “we should just give them their independence “ . It’s not theirs to give. The future of Scotland belongs to the Scottish people. Which is why if the UK government continue to attempt to block a referendum on the matter then it will go to court and they will lose.
Ah! No no, do you forget ,our forefathers did the war during on century just for a cute princess married to your rude king! Keep your NI people and your scottishs even if i like meet you in a pub , share some beer together.
there is a simple fix Have the Union tell the Unionist to come back to the UK with the damn union and live in the damn Union
I doubt the Brits would be eager to receive them.
Are you telling people who have lived in Northern Ireland all their lives to leave becuase they want to stay in the UK?
Bring on the troubles II
Who needs George RR Martin and his Song of Ice and Fire when there’s Brexit drama!
Truly, DUP is a classical example of over-ambitious players getting tangled in their plots and believing themselves able to control much larger forces. THIS should be written down in annals of political science!
As a Lithuanian whos ancestors literally bled and died to keep our language alive, the fact that political parties make an issue out of using using Irish language in NI is baffling and disgusting. `
Yes very true. And the reason there is a british population in the north of Ireland is due to the ethnic cleansing of Irish people done by england in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Then when Ireland won independence only 26 counties out of 32 became part of the Irish republic. The 6 counties left became part of the new state of "Northern Ireland".
Now I am Irish but have nothing against british people at all. But the british people in the north of Ireland, the unionists are horrible. They exist purely out of hatred of the Irish. For example, every 11th of July the unionists make massive bonfires and burn the Irish flag. Its just horrible.
@@mcfcfan1870 " For example, every 11th of July the unionists make massive bonfires and burn the Irish flag." i'm at the loss of words, you would think the western cultures where above that...
@@MrCipasa I know, you'd of thought all that would be a thing of the past but the hatred that is still there nowdays between the British and Irish in the north of Ireland is as strong as ever really. At least there is no conflict anymore so that is some consolation
Brexit has done nothing more than alter the time line on a United Ireland which any sane and rational person knows is inevitable. The GFA effectively lays the foundations for a UI Referendum and the figures shown in the graphics in the video tell you everything you need to know as to how that will work out.
There is no solution to the NI problem that does not involve bloodshed, the outcome of a UI Ref is going to go the way of the Nationalists and the Unionists will not go quietly.
Brexit is certainly not helping however it's not the sole reason for the ongoing problems in NI.
The problem is the people want peace, if the island is united at least the next generation will get exactly that.
Bloodshed is by no means the only option, far from it. To think so is to be stuck in the past. The peace process in NI has come leaps and bounds over the last 2 decades, it would be desasterous to forsake it all for more petty squabbling.
Patience is the answer. The vitriol and sectarianism of the past is constantly on the decline, the newer generations grew up safe in peace, they for the most part have no taste to return to the horrors they learned from everyone around them.
That patience is neccessary on both sides, although I think unionists are aware of where the trend is going and so might not want to fizzle out of relevance. All we can do is hope that more level heads will prevail
@@indogoUI No, the problem is some people want a United Ireland and some people don’t.
That has always been the problem and a United Ireland will not solve that.
@@lizardlegend42 The fact you use the term ‘petty squabbling’ shows how clueless you are, have you even a scintilla of an idea as to how many lives have been lost over the centuries because of this ‘petty squabble’?
Breathtaking level of stupidity.
@@trustmetours57 It was the same with the peace process, the DUP said it would be the worst thing that happened to Northern Ireland. Look how that turned out.
The only thing that will give a true answer is of the island has a vote on it. Let the people decide
I hate to nitpick, but flags mean a lot to people from NI. The St. Patricks cross is not one that nationalists tend to use - it's one that the UK use as a less controversial alternative to the 6 counties cross. I think a tricolor, or perhaps the 9 counties flag is more appropriate for Ulster's nationalists
THAT SAID, Thanks for covering NI Politics in a thoughtful way
Asking from the continent: Is there a possibility of a Sinn Fein First Minister and a deputy from the Alliance removing the unionists entirely?
No the positions go to a unionists and a nationalist but not an other party like alliance.
The First Minister and Deputy First Minister have to come from the 2 communities in NI (i.e. Nationalists and Unionists) so a party that isn't affiliated with either won't get a FM/dFM. But it is technically possible that they end up in coalition if the joint Sinn Féin-DUP vote didn't form a majority, as a compromise partner.
Alliance would need to declare as unionist for that to happen.
I'd prefer SDLP and Alliance. Hmmm, if Alliance count as other then there mightn't even need to be a joint position... 🤔
It actually benefits SF being in power with hardline unionists, as it increases tribalism and thus benefits their base of voters (as opposed to the more moderate SDLP). Alliance, being non-sectarian, would interrupt this power balance.
As a N. Irish viewer, I think there's a bit of a realignment going on in our politics, and I'm not sure what's going to happen.
I also think (re protocol) that a longer implementation period should be agreed between UK and EU, perhaps 18 months-but it also needs to be ensured that this time is used correctly, to make the required changes to businesses (the govt. should be very much involved in helping these changes happen). These changes will be partly about GB getting more familiar with the extra checks needed, but probably more about NI getting used to buying more from RoI and Europe. Perhaps the govt. could appease the unionist community in other ways, such as subsidising travel between NI and GB?!
As others have said, your use of the St. Patrick's cross to represent nationalists was bazaar; I think you should probably correct this and explain what was going through your heads when you made that decision!
Thanks for the concise summary!
I'm only part Irish and don't live in Ireland, so my opinion probably isn't worth much, but I'd like to see the country reunited. I think things are a bit ridiculous the way they are now. Of course I believe Brexit was a huge mistake as well but nobody asked me.
So you want house next door to be one cos it looks tidier never mind the ppl of country
Why did you use the St Patrick's Cross to represent nationalists?
Probably because it's incorporated in the Union Flag to represent (Northern) Ireland?
@@marconatrix lmao but why would a Nationalist have any identity with the flag of the one thing they seek to get rid of?
Strange choice alright. Better to have just used the tricolour.
The obvious solution is a united ireland
Ew
I'm actually from Belfast and had to Google what the flag you were using in lieu of the Tri-colour...
And it's LA-GEN 😂
Amusingly it is in the Union Flag - onr for George, one for Andrew, one for Patrick as these were Kingdoms, but nothing for Wales as it has a prince, not a King
As a NI citizen, I can see the UUP, SDLP, and Alliance Parties gaining MLAs and top jobs as there seems to be approval for Robin Swann as Health Minister, Mallon as Infrastructure Minister, and many voters are shifting to the Alliance party who are more politically neutral.
Really? Mallon has quite simply ignored the West, the strongest Nationalist area of NI, when it comes to infrastructure. She blocked rural road grants, no progress on trains, still a massive lack of public transport over here. I used to like the SDLP, but they’re not getting a single preference from me anymore
I actually laughed when you said moderates in northern Ireland.
He's British, dah fuck does he know? I know we fought 🇺🇸 a war against the UK TWICE! but they have been our batch since! 😆
@@Christinebanks11 what
The nuclear option should’ve been to reverse its devolution… so you don’t have to deal with it.
or further turn to federalism, but I said Tory won't allow it
The worst case scenario is direct rule from Westminster. That could seriously cause a reignition of conflict in the North, paramilitaries are dormant and lack popular support to be anything more than scumbags with guns, a change like that gives them a "casus belli"
I suppose the "loyalists" could always build an enormous bonfire and lord it over others instead
Two of the most famous figures in Irish independence Wolfe Tone and CS Parnell were protestants.
“Why are unionist so opposed to the Irish language” the two reasons given may well be valid in some universe. But in ours, the reason they hate the Irish language so much has no other reason than bigotry, hatred and a superiority complex inherent in political unionism
What about fear as a reason? They fear that Northern Ireland gets more connected to mainland Ireland and thus weaken their position.
@@nicolaim4275 the vast vast majority of people in the 26 counties (republic of Ireland) do not speak Irish. They also speak English. The Irish Language Act is solely about giving legal rights to people in the Six Counties (Northern Ireland) who speak it as a first language. It’s not fear, it’s outright bigotry
Choosing a young-earther as a leader does not paint a great picture of the DUP. Like, if someone's going to latch on to a very young theory supported only by very selective reading of a compiled volume of repeatedly-translated bronze age poetry, that raises serious questions about their willingness to engage with the real world.
Fixing this problem may require cleverness and adaptability on the part of the UK government. So probably not until after the next election, based upon my observations of the current party in power.
Northern ireland is just a complete mess
Oh yeah
Unionists in 2016 "We know exactly what we're voting for! To say we don't is insulting."
Unionists in 2021 "What the hell did we vote for?"
Kinda fits with their bedfellow, though. Johnson also argued in parliament that the government didn't fully understand the deal they negotiated themselves :D
I see three ways that this could go.
1, Johnson applies his NI protocol exactly as written, which renders Northern Ireland a special zone within the UK, and reinforces the border in the Irish Sea. This is likely to lead to more "troubles" as we saw through the 1950s to the 1990s, because some Unionists would see it as the beginning of the end for Northern Ireland being separate from the Republic of Ireland.
2. Johnson rejects his protocol, rendering the border in the Irish Sea softer and thus pointless. This would piss off the EU and the Republic of Ireland, because there would need to be a real border between NI and the Republic. This will reignite the civil war (yeah, I'm fed up with calling it "the troubles"), because it would be a direct violation of the Good Friday Agreement, and it will totally sell out the Irish nationalists. The EU and the USA will then both be mightily pissed off with the UK.
3. The interested parties bicker back and forth for long enough that Johnson gets ousted, and we get a non-Brexiteer government that will dare to eat much humble pie, go back to the EU and say "actually, we want to be in the customs union and the single market, so can we have a deal like Norway?". If the UK rejoins the customs union (and the single market and everything that goes with that), then the need for a border between the EU and the UK goes away.
Could a fourth possibility not be Scottish intervention? I would think that Scotland leaving the UK would significantly change the political calculus in Northern Ireland, since both the border-politics and the narrative of a 'union' would fall apart. It would basically be a win for the Nationalists.
I don’t really see the Tory government being ousted. Only because their competition is so bad.
@@nicolaim4275 - Yes, that's a possibility.
@@stevenmcalister826 - Are you actually this naïve, or are you a corporate shill?
It doesn't matter how good or bad the opposition is - if the media barons and the former tories who run the BBC prefer the government that's in power, that's the line they'll push. The 2019 GE was a masterclass in character assassination and propaganda.
But that's actually irrelevant to my point. I said a non-Brexiteer government. This doesn't have to be a party other than the tories. Once they realise how electorally toxic Brexit is, the less ultra-right-wing tories will push for change within the party.
As you say (cleverly) at the end of the video, the Republic of Ireland is going to start singing “It’s coming home!”
What, the troubles?