Month: June 2017

Politics

Supply and confidence deal DUP 2017

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The conservative party has made supply and confidence deal with the DUP.  DUP started planning back in 2010 for this moment. Agreement comes at £1.5 billion pound cost over 2 years.  Creation of coordination committee plus bunch of commitments. Support for all Brexit and security legislation. Agreement lasts the lifetime of the Parliament [5 years]. Review in 2 years time end of the current session. 

  • The DUP will support the Tories on all Brexit and security legislation
  • The UK’s 2% Nato defence spending target will continue to be met
  • Cash support for farmers will remain at current levels until the next election
  • Both parties to adhere to commitments in Good Friday Agreement
  • No Irish border poll without “consent of the people”

Northern Ireland power sharing agreement collapsed due renewable Heat Incentive scandal. Whole deal brings up various questions.

Coordination committee what is the purpose?

Ablity to influence goverment policy making?

Direct line to the Goverment?

Ablity to influence legislation that part of the agreement?

Ablity to influence legislation outside of the agreement?

How can both parties adhere to GFA if DUP have direct line with UK goverement?

Cash support for farmers just Northern Ireland or United Kingdom?

DUP wants influence on futurue legislation?

DUP wants further devolution after VAT/corporation tax devoled?

Irish border referendum?

Planning for both outcomes in that referendum?

Impact on the GFA on that referendum?

How come the money has just been found?

 

Most likely more questions can be found.  Big questions to be asked over this funding suddenly being found. Conservatives repeating the economy is strong is an act of bad faith.  10% funding increase for Northern Ireland overnight.

 

Labour

Post-election thoughts – 2017

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Post-election thoughts – 2017

Okay, so GE2017 happened, time to address why we lost. Conservatives are weak won’t remain that way for long. Future campaigns won’t be fighting on the same battle lines as now. Rules could have changed we won’t know yet. Party needs to look at what we did right and wrong. Many non-Corbyn supporters are willing to join the tent. Both sides must stop calling each other names creating real unity. From my own experience this already the case at a local level.

Corbyn now has to beat this result and towards a majority. Created a list of potential challenges standing in his way.

  • Daily politics duties – Bringing the energy from the campaign back to Westminster. Effective opposition picking smart battles and being nimble. Opening up the tent listening to criticism.
  • Looking competent – Looking like a government in waiting.
  • Start treating the British people as grown-ups – Case to be made about popular things and unpopular choices.
  • Brexit something has to give.
  • Winning over Labour to Tory voters

Look forward to answers Labour brings to the table.