Idiots Guide to the DUP

"why is our government cozying up?" - that is easy to answer - because they have no majority in parliament; and indeed are not a government at all.

The segregation of children is the issue, not the religion of individual teachers.

With all due respect paddy you are wrong

I have direct experience of what SirCh talks about.

www.nomorefaithschools.org/news/2018/06/how-to-teach-in-a-catholic-state-school-in-scotland

www.secularism.org.uk/news/2017/07/vetting-in-scottish-catholic-schools-putting-off-non-catholic-teachers/

In English state schools, non-Catholic can be recruited, but Catholic schools have a "vision statement" (or something similar which is likely put off any non-Catholics. Some private Catholic schools require a reference from a priest.

Hear, hear Sir

Education really it to be secular this day and age. If parents want their kids ‘indoctrinated’ (okay, less inflammatory) ‘brought up’ in a faith. - do it on a weekend as a family. Otherwise, butt out, in my opinion.

I think this country has treated NI shabbily.

I suppose EV it depends. On whether N,I. (who voted Remain) are happier with the EU rather than being with the U.K.

At the moment the proposed deal means they have the best of both worlds, in the short term.

It’s Scotland I feel we have let down more. (Bluddy Cameron, selling them down the river).

I couldn’t agree more Urm.

I don’t know about the rest of the UK but up here there are certainly political reasons for the increase in Govt funding for Catholic education, so there’s no chance of the educational landscape changing any time soon unfortunately.

Sorry But are you all to stupid to believe any word that Boris Johnson has to say.
Thought this was a forum for over fifties ? Would have thought that we would be wiser than this
Dup, Northern Ireland, Shed loads of shitting on everyone in the U.K and further afield who is suffering fron povety.
Would have thought than anyone over fifty or indeed over five would see through it.

Who’s the ‘all’ on here who believes a word that comes out of Boris’ mouth? I certainly don’t

Sir. ??

Pinkquartz what is your reference to present tense?
Your views are very onesided. Paisley is who you think of with regard to the bombings? Amazing.

I am an Alliance voter who would like to stay in the EU but I believe it's unfair to blame the DUP for everything. They want to protect the union. Their views on other issues are irrelevant to Brexit.

The only party holding up Stormont or liable to incite violence? I think not.

Bigotry is not taught in schools. Its taught by stupid parents.
If so many parents want integrated education why does voting not reflect this.

Bigotry is perpetuated in schools - and Govts should not be funding segregation if we want integrated communities.

annpl

I refer to when I was a child and teen, not understanding politics....we were NOT allowed to hear the voices of the IRA-do you remember this?-
so instead it was always this mans booming voice

that is why i identify him not BLAME him for the bombings. I lived in London and had friends in Brum.

annpl

rightly or wrong it is difficult to understand how 10 people can have so much power when they cannot even work out their own parliament to be happening.....please explain more as to why they cannot agree in N.I.on Parliament

Is it because Teresa May gave them all that money?

I agree re integrated education. It's especially important in NI imo.

www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/types-school

When my children were at school we only had one integrated state funded school, so I sent my children to a Steiner school totally funded by parents and donations.

I think integrated education is the only education that should be funded.

Pinkquartz I remember that. Seems strange now.

This is my perspective. At the minute SF are making demands before agreeing to go back into government ie Irish language act, abortion, mixed marriages. DUP won't agree, they see this as blackmail. I think both should compromise but neither will.
I don't see an easy solution. I don't understand why we haven't either got direct rule or stopped their pay.

Regarding the tensions between communities -
Leaving the EU is not going to help. I'm really sad that we are leaving.

I haven't followed the money thing. Not interested tbh, all too much.

Sorry, no energy to write anything more atm.

I quite liked Paisley towards the end. He wasn't as bad as that evil Gerry Adams.

I thought Martin McGuiness was sexy.

Gonegirl lol. sent you pm.

Just one little thing, I have just spent most of the night with my sick husband at A&E. In the Irish Republic this would have cost 100 euros as far as I'm aware. I think this concerns people.

Seriously though Gonegirl they are all guilty. Not much point in condemning violence years later when you caused so much.

grapefruitpip and anyone else who is interested, BBC4 have just done a seven part series called The History of the Troubles. I didn't watch hut I imagine it might explain things a bit.

Thanks, I will take a look.

Annepl,
I agree with almost everything you write. I, too, was an Alliance voter when I lived in NI and I believe very strongly in integrated education.
I'm a "Northern Protestant" living in the Republic & I 'd just like to mention one point relating to your last post: there is a 100 euros charge at A&E in the Republic for some. However, not if you are sent by your GP, not for most children and not if you have a medical card. My husband & I both have medical cards, although we are both retired professionals with good incomes. If you do have to pay for medical treatment, you can claim it back on your income tax. Like around 50 per cent of people in the Republic, we also have private health insurance, because the health service here struggles, but I can pop down to my GP anytime for free.
It really isn't as bad as many in the north think. Also the state pension here is higher than in the UK, as are other benefits.
So be reassured, things are better in the Republic than many in the North believe, & it's a great place to live & bring up children. Mine went to multi- denominational schools.