Politics getting complicated in Britain

[grassfarmer]

As Teresa May tries to hammer out a deal with the DUP (Northern Ireland Unionists) to form a coalition to govern things have taken a dramatic turn. Sinn Fein "the political wing of the IRA" are talking of filling their 7 seats in Westminster, something they have never done before. As representatives of a foreign and hostile power (Eire) they had previously refused to sit in the Westminster parliament as they refused to take the oath to the Queen. Latest rumour is that Labour's Corbyn, someone who has supported both Irish and Palestinian terrorists in the past, will offer a deal to Sinn Fein to hold a vote on a united Ireland in return for them supporting Labour to defeat May.
What a mess. This election was a great result for Scotland but increasingly looks like it might be a disaster for Northern Ireland and it's peace process.

[Hopalong]

Sounds like moving back to tribalism and away from European and International agreement.
Ironic that the British Empire led the world away from tribalism in the past.
United States under Trump headed in same direction.

[WiltonRanch]

The fourth war will be fought with sticks and stones. The wave of populism and extreme volatility in political change mirrors pre ww2 Europe. As much as I hate career politicians I fear well intentioned non politicos or loony extremists getting power and are incompetent. Change is needed to clean up the bs in the halls of power. Though the devil you know.

[grassfarmer]

In this case I don't think it's really tribalism by the electorate it was a fairly close election meaning that there was not a decisive direction indicated by the electorate. The Conservatives had 330 seats before the election and only lost a net 13 of them, which blew their majority but was not a disaster by any normal reasoning. The deals being done to form the next Government by the politicians are the story here not anything crazy the electorate did. The idea that Sinn Fein a terrorist organisation that has spent much of it's history trying to destroy the British Government by murdering elected Government officials could possibly be in some position of power by forming a coalition with the Labour party is inconceivable to me.

[Hopalong]

Economist magazine said it was a dismal choice for voters, deplored lack of leadership and suggested liberal democrats as best option.
Tribalism is maybe too strong a word but is certainly not the direction for us to go.

[grassfarmer]

The Lib-Dems only won 12 seats out of 650. Their 7.5% of the popular vote was a 0.5% drop on the previous election. Don't see them coming to prominence or challenging either of the 2 major parties any time soon. There was a 68.7% voter turnout which is good.

[sofa.king]

Hey grassy does sinn fein do any custom work lol.