UK PM May's strikes deal to get Northern Irish DUP support for minority government

[Jonathan Fairfield]

UK PM May's strikes deal to get Northern Irish DUP support for minority government

 

Britain's Prime Minister, Theresa May, shakes hands with Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) Leader Arlene Foster, outside 10 Downing Street, in central London, Britain June 26, 2017. REUTERS/Neil Hall

 

LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Theresa May struck a deal on Monday to prop up her minority government with the support of a small Northern Irish Protestant party.

 

After May lost her majority in parliament on June 8 with a failed gamble on a snap election, she tried to secure the backing of the small Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and its 10 lawmakers, though talks had dragged on for more than two weeks.

 

May and DUP leader Arlene Foster presided at the signing of a deal at Downing Street on Monday. They smiled and joked as negotiators from both sides, the DUP's Jeffrey Donaldson and the Conservatives' Gavin Williamson signed the deal.

 

The details of the deal were not immediately released.

 

A deal would allow May to pass legislation with the backing of the DUP in the 650-seat parliament, and stay in power as she attempts to negotiate Britain's exit from the European Union.

 

But May's position remains insecure. Her Brexit strategy is under scrutiny and her future as prime minister is the subject of public debate.

 

Some senior Conservatives have voiced unease at a deal with the DUP, saying it could put at risk the 1998 peace settlement in Northern Ireland, known as the Good Friday Agreement. Foster said a deal with May could help drive a second deal on power sharing in the province.

 

Northern Ireland has been in crisis since Sinn Fein pulled out of government in January, prompting an election in March and a series of missed deadlines to restore the compulsory coalition between Irish Catholic nationalists and pro-British Protestant unionists.

 

"I think that this agreement will bring the prospects of doing a deal at (the Belfast parliament) Stormont closer because this will have a positive impact in relation to Northern Ireland," Foster told Sky earlier, adding that a second deal on power sharing in the province could be reached this week too.

 

"I very much hope that this week we will be able to conclude on two agreements."

 

The latest deadline set by the British government for the parties in Northern Ireland to reach an agreement is Thursday. Sinn Fein said last week that "time was running out" given the lack of knowledge about the impact of any Conservative/DUP deal.

 

(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Padraic Halpin and Angus MacSwan)

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-06-26

[Grouse]

Sold out for 1.5 Billion

 

Scotland will get MUCH more according to the Barnett formula ( 8 Billion?) 

 

England gets nowt!

 

Sinn Fein are NOT impressed....

[nuakmuaynina]

Isnt this bribery? 

 

[Grouse]

Yep!

 

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-40406396

[Grouse]

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-40406346

 

bast**ds!

Edited June 26, 2017 by Grouse

[Grouse]

May I suggest that now would be a good time for the Scots to vote on leaving Westminster?

 

The CON slime wagon is without shame!

 

I'm getting my kilt out....

Edited June 26, 2017 by Grouse

[goldenbrwn1]

Considering it's keeping Corbyn and his fellow Marxist cronies out (who labour really do need to get rid of before they get my vote ever again) , I thinks it's a good deal. The money will be spent on the NHS in NI so I really can't understand all the screaming coming from the other party's esp the Labour Party. The money is going to be spread over several years and is not going to the DUP but to NI infrastructure and NHS.  And let's be honest, people mention bribes but this is no more of a bribe than what the Labour Party had in their GE manifesto.

Edited June 26, 2017 by goldenbrwn1

[evadgib]

I'm extremely uneasy at this move.

[Orac]

Considering it's keeping Corbyn and his fellow Marxist cronies out (who labour really do need to get rid of before they get my vote ever again) , I thinks it's a good deal. The money will be spent on the NHS in NI so I really can't understand all the screaming coming from the other party's esp the Labour Party. The money is going to be spread over several years and is not going to the DUP but to NI infrastructure and NHS.  And let's be honest, people mention bribes but this is no more of a bribe than what the Labour Party had in their GE manifesto.

The only reason the likes of Corbyn and Abbott are even on anyone's radar let alone even being considered as a possible option for government is due to the incompetence of the current lot in power and this sort of brazen bribery of a bunch of religious extremists is only going to exacerbate the situation. It TMs idea of a negotiation is to pay £100m a head for 10 votes in parliament with UK taxpayers money I hate to think how much she will end up giving to the EU.

[goldenbrwn1]

14 minutes ago, Orac said:

TMs idea of a negotiation is to pay £100m a head for 10 votes in parliament with UK taxpayers money I hate to think how much she will end up giving to the EU.

The money is going to be spent on the NHS in NI which is part of the UK. I really dont see what the problem is. She needed the votes to get her majority....it's a no brainer. Nothing about same sex marriage or gay rights just money that will be spent on a part of the UK's National Health Service. Which will be helping everyone in NI be it DUP supporters , Shinn Feinn or whoever. And yes the government isn't a great one at the moment but I really think it would be a lot worse under Corbyn.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 26, 2017 by goldenbrwn1

[Orac]

The money is going to be spent on the NHS in NI which is part of the UK. I really dont see what the problem is. She needed the votes to get her majority....it's a no brainer. Nothing about same sex marriage or gay rights just money that will be spent on a part of the UK's National Health Service. Which will be helping everyone in NI be it DUP supporters , Shinn Feinn or whoever. And yes the government isn't a great one at the moment but I really think it would be a lot worse under Corbyn.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The problem is that this will not play well in the rest of the UK and will be yet another issue that Corbyn will be able to attack TM with - the end of the age of austerity* (applicable to territory of NI only).

[dogpatch55]

Would rather have Corbyn in No. 10  than  that Tory bitch or any  of her  Tory pals

[shaurene]

Well the labour supporters brought this problem especially the young voters. They did not know the history of the Labour Governments. They would not know the year chrismass of discontent. When practically the whole country came out on strike. Electricity workers, the miners, the transport unions, the fire service, the NHS, ambulance service and the rubish colectors. Mountains of rubbish n all citys, towns, rats runnng every where etc. the army had to be brought in  to help with ambulances, fire service. The Labour government  also made the 3 days a week work Compulsory. 1977-79. And 1979 was tge year the labour called the election and Margaret Thatcher   Was elected prime minister with a huge yes, and on the following elections. The country was practically bankrupt when she came into power and had to do a lot to save the country. It took a few years but she did it. The labour had privatised so many enterprises, Elctricity,  coal, power, water, etc. aand they have blamed her for everything since when it was the labour that causd it all.

 

[Retiredandhappyhere]

2 hours ago, Grouse said:

May I suggest that now would be a good time for the Scots to vote on leaving Westminster?

 

The CON slime wagon is without shame!

 

I'm getting my kilt out....

1

We all hope so!

[goldenbrwn1]

26 minutes ago, shaurene said:

Well the labour supporters brought this problem especially the young voters. They did not know the history of the Labour Governments. They would not know the year chrismass of discontent. When practically the whole country came out on strike. Electricity workers, the miners, the transport unions, the fire service, the NHS, ambulance service and the rubish colectors. Mountains of rubbish n all citys, towns, rats runnng every where etc. the army had to be brought in  to help with ambulances, fire service. The Labour government  also made the 3 days a week work Compulsory. 1977-79. And 1979 was tge year the labour called the election and Margaret Thatcher   Was elected prime minister with a huge yes, and on the following elections. The country was practically bankrupt when she came into power and had to do a lot to save the country. It took a few years but she did it. The labour had privatised so many enterprises, Elctricity,  coal, power, water, etc. aand they have blamed her for everything since when it was the labour that causd it all.

 

Ring any bells ....2009. 'The money is all gone'. That's even recent history and labour are blaming the Torys even now.  I can remember as a kid the many power cuts in the 70s and with the candles being lit....very vivid considering how young I was. This was all down to the unions having too much power and this was also on labours watch. Thatcher was hated by many but she had an unenviable job to do and a huge mess to clean up.

Edited June 26, 2017 by goldenbrwn1

[rockingrobin]

1 hour ago, goldenbrwn1 said:

The money is going to be spent on the NHS in NI which is part of the UK. I really dont see what the problem is. She needed the votes to get her majority....it's a no brainer. Nothing about same sex marriage or gay rights just money that will be spent on a part of the UK's National Health Service. Which will be helping everyone in NI be it DUP supporters , Shinn Feinn or whoever. And yes the government isn't a great one at the moment but I really think it would be a lot worse under Corbyn.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think its a case of a bad deal is better than a no deal.

I note quite a large chunk of the money is going to be spent in the first 2 years, expect the DUP to come bacjk for some more.

Not all the money is going to the NHS, I see that the york road interchange , Belfast, is also getting funds

[the guest]

You could even say they bribed them to join?

[JAG]

Would rather have Corbyn in No. 10  than  that Tory bitch or any  of her  Tory pals

Maybe you would, but let's not forget that the results of the general election show, whether reckoned by parliamentary seats or the popular vote, rather more - considerably more - of the British people would rather have that Tory bitch and her Tory pals in No.10 than Corbyn.

[rockingrobin]

1 hour ago, JAG said:

Maybe you would, but let's not forget that the results of the general election show, whether reckoned by parliamentary seats or the popular vote, rather more - considerably more - of the British people would rather have that Tory bitch and her Tory pals in No.10 than Corbyn.

By popular vote there was a 2.3% difference , approx 800,000, hardly considerably more

[goldenbrwn1]

1 hour ago, rockingrobin said:

By popular vote there was a 2.3% difference , approx 800,000, hardly considerably more

So what does that mean? Or what would you have the government do?

[RuamRudy]

13 hours ago, goldenbrwn1 said:

Considering it's keeping Corbyn and his fellow Marxist cronies out (who labour really do need to get rid of before they get my vote ever again) , I thinks it's a good deal. The money will be spent on the NHS in NI so I really can't understand all the screaming coming from the other party's esp the Labour Party. The money is going to be spread over several years and is not going to the DUP but to NI infrastructure and NHS.  And let's be honest, people mention bribes but this is no more of a bribe than what the Labour Party had in their GE manifesto.

All this talk of socialism and marxism - putting aside that so many bandy it around, clearly clueless as to what they are talking about, why not cast your mind back to the last time we had an overtly socialist government? When was that? A couple of generations ago? 

 

We have been enduring a capitalist nightmare of greater and lesser degrees of Thatcherist greed and corruption since the late 70s, and the fact is that the UK is a disgrace of a country, a stagnating pit of neglect and despair at levels not seen in decades. Domestically, our country is a crumbling mess; internationally we are a total joke on just about every front - all that has been delivered by right wing market led policies. 

[goldenbrwn1]

9 minutes ago, RuamRudy said:

All this talk of socialism and marxism - putting aside that so many bandy it around, clearly clueless as to what they are talking about, why not cast your mind back to the last time we had an overtly socialist government? When was that? A couple of generations ago? 

 

We have been enduring a capitalist nightmare of greater and lesser degrees of Thatcherist greed and corruption since the late 70s, and the fact is that the UK is a disgrace of a country, a stagnating pit of neglect and despair at levels not seen in decades. Domestically, our country is a crumbling mess; internationally we are a total joke on just about every front - all that has been delivered by right wing market led policies. 

Maybe change your profile pic if you are going to constructively criticise the British government and expect government supporters and brexit voters alike to read your post or at least take it seriously.  Another point maybe google ' the winter of discontent ' before criticism about the Thatcher years in the 70s. The labour government were no better. Stop the hate. The second Indy referendum  dream is over. Get over it.

 

Edited June 27, 2017 by goldenbrwn1

[Baerboxer]

14 hours ago, nuakmuaynina said:

Isnt this bribery? 

 

 

That's democracy for you - and this is nothing like democracy!

[Baerboxer]

12 minutes ago, RuamRudy said:

All this talk of socialism and marxism - putting aside that so many bandy it around, clearly clueless as to what they are talking about, why not cast your mind back to the last time we had an overtly socialist government? When was that? A couple of generations ago? 

 

We have been enduring a capitalist nightmare of greater and lesser degrees of Thatcherist greed and corruption since the late 70s, and the fact is that the UK is a disgrace of a country, a stagnating pit of neglect and despair at levels not seen in decades. Domestically, our country is a crumbling mess; internationally we are a total joke on just about every front - all that has been delivered by right wing market led policies. 

 

The "sick man of Europe". Google it and see, but you already know of course, which political party created that name for the UK. l remember the high inflation, 3 day week, power cuts, all brought by your crap socialist governments who where slaves to unions that had been taken over my hard left militants. 

That created the context for Thatcher, who people sick of the state of a country being run by trade union leaders, swept to power. She did well at first but then didn't know when or how to stop. Then we got numpty but nice Major, whose biggest achievement was Mrs. Curry, followed by swarming glitz of Blair and Brown, that dropped us all in it.

 

Many believe capitalism isn't fit for purpose anymore, not relevant in the third millenium. Not seen anyone come up with a fantastic replacement yet. But going back to 70"s style socialism with a marxist chancellor isn't the answer.

 

 

[goldenbrwn1]

2 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

That's democracy for you - and this is nothing like democracy!

There was a European referendum last year for the whole of the UK. The result was a leave vote. More people voted on this referendum than any GE or referendum before it. The leave vote won ( I voted remain). The deal with the DUP is to make sure the will of the British people's democratic vote is upheld. 

 

The money given is being spent on NI infrastructure over the next 5 years. Last time I checked NI is part of the UK.  Also obviously the Torys want to stay in power. But at the end of the day we can't reverse the referendum vote , there would be outright chaos in the UK,. If you think throwing a bung to a part of the UK government is a stain on democracy....try cancelling brexit

[Baerboxer]

2 hours ago, rockingrobin said:

By popular vote there was a 2.3% difference , approx 800,000, hardly considerably more

 

But it's not won or lost on the popular vote. It's won on the number of seats won. 

 

The reduction in the Tories majority to a minority with the largest number of seats shows that you can't fool all the people all the time. Nor can you promise not to have an election, decide to call one and then be arrogant enough to refuse to debate and ignore the issues of the electorate.

 

 

[whatawonderfulday]

15 hours ago, nuakmuaynina said:

Isnt this bribery? 

 

of course but apart from that she is using tax payers money to keep herself in number 10.  Now that is corruption

[bert bloggs]

44 minutes ago, RuamRudy said:

All this talk of socialism and marxism - putting aside that so many bandy it around, clearly clueless as to what they are talking about, why not cast your mind back to the last time we had an overtly socialist government? When was that? A couple of generations ago? 

 

We have been enduring a capitalist nightmare of greater and lesser degrees of Thatcherist greed and corruption since the late 70s, and the fact is that the UK is a disgrace of a country, a stagnating pit of neglect and despair at levels not seen in decades. Domestically, our country is a crumbling mess; internationally we are a total joke on just about every front - all that has been delivered by right wing market led policies. 

The best thing that ever happened was that Labour were thrown out , i used to have to sit in my workplace for hours on end with no electricity , then go home around piles of uncollected rubbish then sit in my house with no tv , for another round of power cuts , Thatcher may not have been the best ,but by God she was far better than the nightmare of the left .

[bert bloggs]

26 minutes ago, whatawonderfulday said:

of course but apart from that she is using tax payers money to keep herself in number 10.  Now that is corruption

And who's money was Corbyn going to use  to bribe students with no university fees ,his own? wake up and smell the coffee .

Edited June 27, 2017 by bert bloggs

[whatawonderfulday]

4 minutes ago, bert bloggs said:

And who's money was Corbyn going to use ,his own? wake up and smell the coffee .

This is about the DUP agreement ! Do not distort the post by your obvious confusion with the content of election manifestos. Bribing the DUP by stealing money from the UK tax payer to keep her little bum in Downing Street was not in the Tory manifesto. 

 

Suspect the corruption will be shown by the public enquiry to run much deeper by the apparent and purposeful delay in updating the building regulations under a conservative / pseudo coalition governments so that the tragedy of Grenville Tower could potentially have been avoided.  Another Tory delaying policy that unfortunately has cost live's.

 

Edited June 27, 2017 by whatawonderfulday