L00b 441 #4225 Posted October 11, 2018 (edited) I was going to mention Cyprus but try not to include too many differing subjects in my posts. Although Turkish membership is very much on the back burner now, if it ever did come about, a united independent Cyprus may be the result. It is worth bearing in mind that the EU's response to the authoritarianism of Victor Orban in 2018 is completely at odds with its response to the authoritarianism of Pedro Sãnchez in 2017. I guess Madrid has more clout in Brussels than Budapest. It isn’t an issue of “clout in Brussels”, but one of domestic scale: the EU[28] had a quiet word with Sanchez over his short-lived and highly-localised authoritarianism in 2017, pushing the boat out (correctly IMO) to public condemnation of Sanchez’ heavy-handed policias. The question of regional autonomies aside, by and large Spain was, and still is, up there as a democracy functioning reasonably well. The EU[28] had been having the same quiet words with Orban about his authoritarianism since 2010, to no effect. 8 years later, it’s a severely dysfunctional “democracy” fast approaching Putin’s kleptocratic plutocracy. Hence, fingers severely rapped, with more to come (if needed). On the topic of authoritarianism, the UK’s banana constitutional monarchy has no more lessons to give, either. Edited October 11, 2018 by L00b Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Top Cats Hat 10 #4226 Posted October 11, 2018 You are aware that the Loyalist paramilitary groups detested the DUP for its policy of hanging terrorists - UVF and UFF included? The Loyalist groups referred to Ian Paisley as 'The Grand Old Duke of York', as they believed he would inflame situations with his rhetoric but disappear when the inevitable conflict ensued. You could benefit from reading up the history of the origins of post 1968 loyalist paramilitaries and the DUP. And whatever issues the UVF may have had with Paisley in later years, when they bombed the Silent Valley Reservoir in April 1969 the explosives used were stored in Ian Paisley's home in Belfast the night before the attack. If you are trying to dissociate the DUP from loyalist paramilitaries you will struggle. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
woodview 10 #4227 Posted October 11, 2018 On the topic of authoritarianism, the UK’s banana constitutional monarchy has no more lessons to give. What do you mean by this part? Are you talking about recent history? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
L00b 441 #4228 Posted October 11, 2018 (edited) What do you mean by this part? Are you talking about recent history?Click the link I inserted in the post? Basically, the Met hasn’t lifted a finger about Vote Leave (and others’) criminal activities suspected by the Electoral Commission, since the Commission referred these matters to them for investigation (5+ months ago). The reason given by the Met is “issues and political sensitivities”. Yes, that has “political interference” daubed all over it in day-glo orange. That, on top of the rest...Not looking to good for ‘democratic’ Britain, lads. Edited October 11, 2018 by L00b Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
woodview 10 #4229 Posted October 11, 2018 Click the link I inserted in the post? Basically, the Met hasn’t lifted a finger about Vote Leave (and others’) criminal activities suspected by the Electoral Commission since it referred these matters to them for investigation, on account of “issues and political sensitivities”. OK, but you'd called the hyper-link 'UK banana constitutional monarchy'. The story is about Leave electoral wrong-doing. Something that needs investigating, but a bit of a tangent from Spanish police violently breaking up a referendum, and nothing about authoritarianism or monarchy? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
L00b 441 #4230 Posted October 11, 2018 (edited) OK, but you'd called the hyper-link 'UK banana constitutional monarchy'. The story is about Leave electoral wrong-doing. Something that needs investigating, but a bit of a tangent from Spanish police violently breaking up a referendum, and nothing about authoritarianism or monarchy?Oh? So, er...what do you call politically-expedient subversion of law enforcement? (as a by-the-way: the U.K. is still a constitutional monarchy, last time I checked ) The story also happens to be far more relevant to Brexit and the U.K., than Catalonia’s 2017 bid for independence (or Scotland’s before them, for that matter). Edited October 11, 2018 by L00b Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
woodview 10 #4231 Posted October 11, 2018 Oh? So, er...what do you call politically-expedient subversion of law enforcement? (As a by-the-way: the U.K. is still a constitutional monarchy, last time I checked) I know we are a constitutional monarchy. But are you saying the Police not doing this checking - probably another funding infringement, is equivalent to the Spanish authoritarian clampdown, and crushing of the Catalan referendum? I think they are slightly different........ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
I1L2T3 10 #4232 Posted October 11, 2018 I don't think it's anyone's democratic right to be allowed a referendum. However, if a referendum is authorised for whatever reasons, then the result should be respected and the outcome implemented. The result has been respected. We’ve spent 2 years trying to implement based on that. It can’t sensibly be done in a way that pleases everyone (and that’s just on the leave side) given the position of the various interests within the U.K. Based on that the democratic people deserve a say on what is actually agreed. If the referendum had said in 2016 just implement anything as long as it’s Brexit nobody would have accepted it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Lockdoctor 10 #4233 Posted October 11, 2018 The result has been respected. We’ve spent 2 years trying to implement based on that. It can’t sensibly be done in a way that pleases everyone (and that’s just on the leave side) given the position of the various interests within the U.K. Based on that the democratic people deserve a say on what is actually agreed. If the referendum had said in 2016 just implement anything as long as it’s Brexit nobody would have accepted it. You're spouting utter dishonest nonsense. During the last two years those who don't respect the democratic decision made by the UK people have been prolific at attempting to block the decision the democratic UK people made. The only people who deserve a say in how the UK exit the EU are the democratic people who voted to leave the EU, who were on the winning side of the democratic vote. As the democratic EU referendum was conducted by secret ballot,there is no way of verifying the democratic people who voted to leave the EU, so it is up to Parliament to either accept the agreement our Government make with the EU or reject the deal, meaning the UK leave the EU without a trade deal. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
tinfoilhat 11 #4234 Posted October 11, 2018 In other news the government are running overnight tests for weeks at a time, to test using the M26 as a car park (well lorry park). No-deal Brexit planning shuts M26 overnight http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-45827197 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Cyclone 10 #4235 Posted October 11, 2018 You're spouting utter dishonest nonsense. During the last two years those who don't respect the democratic decision made by the UK people have been prolific at attempting to block the decision the democratic UK people made. The only people who deserve a say in how the UK exit the EU are the democratic people who voted to leave the EU, who were on the winning side of the democratic vote. As the democratic EU referendum was conducted by secret ballot,there is no way of verifying the democratic people who voted to leave the EU, so it is up to Parliament to either accept the agreement our Government make with the EU or reject the deal, meaning the UK leave the EU without a trade deal. Your so scared of a second referendum overturning the result that you'd say literally anything to stop it happening. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
woodview 10 #4236 Posted October 11, 2018 Currently, a more likely scenario is this. A deal is struck which gives reasonable trade access. The deal solves the bulk of the worst no-deal outcomes feared. We agree to a pretty simple EU work visa system. Planes keep flying, business runs as normal, goods flow well. Do labour and DUP try to scupper a deal that is in most likelihood the best compromise available? If Labour do that with the aim of forcing a GE, will they do ok in it, or suffer a backlash from middle of the road Labour supporters? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...