John Major warns on the peace process

[The_Equalizer]

Firstly, impartiality is about the Good Friday Agreement, not simply about the current circumstances. Secondly, with regard to the current circumstances, the British government can make conditions more or less likely for a return to power sharing - Tory / DUP agreement makes the conditions less likely.

Having said that, Sinn Féin are looking for a good dose of Westminster rule anyway so that the Brits can get the blame for the inevitable hospital closures and other cuts. In one way this plays into their hands. But, on the other side of the argument, the DUP may extract additional funds from Westminster. So it's interesting to watch with so many factors in play.

But... this doesn't do the British government much credit as an 'honest broker' as per the requirements of the Good Friday Agreement.

You've got it about right. DUP will appose a 'hard border' and 'austerity'. NI will get more cash (or pork as I believe the Americans call it). I'm sure it will ruffle the feathers of certain Nationalists, but at the end of the day - should they get Stormont up-and-running again - they'll be more than enough to smooth both sides over.

[oscarose]

bye bye Tories, Tories bye bye

Excellent news!

DUPE merge ain't gonna happen...

[BlasterBates]

Yes. May should have the courage to say to DUP: No deal with you, but you support us or get Corbyn.

Absolutely this is what John Major did, he just put it to the house with a minority government. The DUP voted in favour, but there was no deal.

[scooterscot]

Given the British Government can't force any party in Stormont to go back into power sharing how can a Conservative/DUP coalition make a difference? And as you said, it fell apart prior to the GE and this was due to issues related to Northern Ireland.

Arguing about what is happening now is irrelevant. The Tories don't listen and never will. They'll flush the country down the pan before giving up.

The DUP are demanding more money. If the Tories give in so that they may remain in power you WILL have problems. What an absolute mess.

[The_Equalizer]

Absolutely this is what John Major did, he just put it to the house with a minority government. The DUP voted in favour, but there was no deal.

The DUP is wise to what Corbyn stands for and that Corbyn would require the support of the SNP. Loss of Scotland would be equally dire fo NI Unionists.

[squarepeg]

The IRA where better at causing disruption. They also preferred to target the UK government, armed forces and police over members of the public with their bombs.

And banks...

[BrilloPad]

John Major. Failed PM who destroyed the Thatcher Legacy and paved the way for everything bad about the Blair-Brown government that followed.

He should stick to watching cricket and keeping his trap shut.

[BrilloPad]

The IRA where better at causing disruption. They also preferred to target the UK government, armed forces and police over members of the public with their bombs.

Not forgetting horses of course.

And you refer to later times. Guildford and Birmingham pub bombings were different.

[SueEllen]

John Major. Failed PM who destroyed the Thatcher Legacy and paved the way for everything bad about the Blair-Brown government that followed.

He should stick to watching cricket and keeping his trap shut.

To be fair the Tories destroyed themselves with their "family values" as they either had a mistress, a secret family, were gay, were bi-, liked autoeroticism or some combination of any of them.

They also had loads of infighting about Europe. John Major called the Brexiters in his own cabinet the "bastards" .

The squabbling and the "family values" meant people voted Labour and for the"third way" to get rid of the lot of them.

[The_Equalizer]

To be fair the Tories destroyed themselves with their "family values" as they either had a mistress, a secret family, were gay, were bi-, liked autoeroticism or some combination of any of them.

They also had loads of infighting about Europe. John Major called the Brexiters in his own cabinet the "bastards" .

The squabbling and the "family values" meant people voted Labour and for the"third way" to get rid of the lot of them.

The Tories' then misdemeanours seem quite tame by today's standards.

Portillio was one of the "bastards" I believe who, since his 'dismissal' in 1997, has become infinitely more likeable to the public. A sort of transformation akin to Steve Davis of snooker fame. He's one of those that I wish would return.