@harriettmb @OrangeMenace

#GB desperately needs the introduction of #PR if they are ever going to break free of the 'big two'

I don't really rate #Labour either. I didn't have time for them under #Corbyn and I still don't have time for them under #Starmer. They are English after all. Whatever colour their badge they will prioritise England over the rest of #UK.

They don't get to ride on the coat-tails of #Mo. She was one of a kind when it came to #NI.

When it comes to #PR for #GB

@harriettmb @OrangeMenace

Thanks to #Tories and the #English media, they brainwashed the majority into thinking its complicated. Now I wonder why they would do that?? FPTP suits the status quo!

Only reason I can think of #Starmer is not going there, is that he has much bigger battles to fight, if he wins. Like saving the economy & #Britishbusiness from the disaster that is #brexit

@jacqui76 @harriettmb @OrangeMenace He thinks reforming the Lords is more important. Not sure myself that's the most urgent as the Lords have proved quite capable of resisting the Government and many of the Tory appointees never turn up

@JohnLoader6 @harriettmb @OrangeMenace

He may have a point!

I do think at some point the #Lords is gonna have to be reformed. It is completely out dated & it is used by the #PM of the day as a bribe to support their agenda. It has been corrupted by #Johnson. So need to change ASAP.

Boot all of them out and turn it into an elected upper chamber. However, they have saved the country on a few occasions throughout #Brexit.

FWIW the whole Lord/Lady/Sir/Dame thing is outdated! Time for it to go!

@jacqui76 @JohnLoader6 @harriettmb @OrangeMenace Labour have often benefitted from FPTP and PR would allow them to be challenged by smaller parties so there's really no incentive for any Labour leader ever to back it.
@Loukas @jacqui76 @harriettmb @OrangeMenace Agree but party members voted for it.
@JohnLoader6 @jacqui76 @harriettmb @OrangeMenace it's depressing how ignoring decisions made by members is a key skill for all leaders of (big) social democratic parties.

@Loukas @JohnLoader6 @harriettmb @OrangeMenace

#Labour isn't that much better to the #Tories in my opinion.

But my opinion on it isn't worth much - I have lost all interest in GB politics. I only care about what they will do in relation to securing the -

#GoodFridayAgreement

•reforming the institutions to stop any party form bringing it down

•preparing the way for #JointAuthority & calling of a #Border Poll

I am ready for something new!

@jacqui76 @JohnLoader6 @harriettmb @OrangeMenace What do you think about the potential of EU and Ireland maintaining the gfe even if a Westminster government tries to undermine it? Is that something you feel you can rely on at all?

@Loukas @JohnLoader6 @harriettmb @OrangeMenace

Consistently in polls in #NI - the majority of people in #NI, trust the #Irish Government & #EU to protect #GoodFridayAgreement & our interests. Which tells you all you need about what #NI people think of the #British Government.

You also have to remember what the Irish gave up to get #GFA over the line - Articles 2&3 of 1937 Bunreacht na hÉireann (Irish constitution) which said that they had right over 6 counties of Ulster, which Unionism hated.

@Loukas @JohnLoader6 @harriettmb @OrangeMenace

Which is failed to be understood by those saying that the Irish don't want reunification. Their belief that NI was still part of Ireland was part of their country's constitution after independence & partition. That speaks volumes in my opinion.

1998 changed the entire island of Ireland, admittedly the North transformed after the vote. But people fail to under the impact on the South as well. If you say otherwise, then you don't understand

@Loukas @JohnLoader6 @harriettmb @OrangeMenace

how relationships on this island changed - moved towards being normal.

It is their agreement to protect as much as ours. They voted in favour of it in higher numbers than we did in the South.

Also they have to protect their place in #EU single market which has transformed Ireland.

I was in #Dublin yesterday that place is unrecognisable to when I first went down in early 1990's! As is the entire country. There is alot to protect.

@jacqui76 @JohnLoader6 @harriettmb @OrangeMenace

Yes I agree with your assessment.

I think that the EU as an institution is solidly behind the GFE; not so much because it understands or is interested in the politics but because it sees it as an existential part of defending the internal market.

I think whoever becomes pm of UK will have to bend to that reality, based on wanting to be part of the EU trading bloc.

@Loukas @JohnLoader6 @harriettmb @OrangeMenace

I agree, the external borders of the Single Market will always take priority for the #EU. So thanks to Brexit, Ireland is now that external border and with that comes the Good Friday Agreement.

I remember Merkel's visit to Ireland during the #WithdrawalAgreement, she was very interested in the #border. I think that was due to her personal background.